ABSTRACT
Mix design is the process of selecting the proportions of cement, water, fine and coarse aggregates and, if they are to be used, additions and admixtures produce an economic concrete mix with the required fresh and hardened properties. It is often, perhaps justifiably, referred to as 'mix proportioning'. The cement and other binder constituents are usually the most expensive component(s), and 'economic' usually means keeping its/their content as low as possible, without, of course, compromising the resulting properties. There may be other advantages, such as reduced heat of hydration, drying shrinkage or creep. There are a considerable number of step-by-step methods of varying complexity that can be used to produce this 'best estimate'. Many countries have their own preferred method or methods and, as an example, this chapter describes a current U. K. method.
