Algorithm for Concrete Mix Design Based on British Method

Abstract

Most of the methods of concrete mix design developed over the years were geared towards manual approach. Apart from being characterized by rigorous complication in computation, manual concrete mix design is prone to errors and mistakes inherent in the calculation during interpolations and reading of charts. Useful time is also wasted in the processes involved in the manual method. This paper presents the result of a study aimed at solving the above problems through the development of a mathematical algorithm based on the British Method of concrete mix design. The tables used in this algorithm are the same as those used in the British Method, however, Charts or figures in the British method were converted into polynomial equations. QBASIC program was written to ease the use of the algorithm, and was also used in solving two examples. The results obtained from the algorithm were compared with those obtained based on the British method and the differences between them were found to be less than 10% in each example. Hence, the algorithm developed in this paper is working with minimum error. It is recommended for use in obtaining good results for normal weight concrete mix design.