EXAMPLE MIX DESIGN MOISTURE CONTENT ADJUSTMENT

CIVE 520: Advanced Concrete

Suppose that the following mix design was obtained, following the procedure outlined by ACI
211, before making any adjustments for aggregate moisture content.
Cement:
Coarse aggregate:

357.4 kg/m3
1019.7 kg/m3

Water:
Fine aggregate:

193.0 kg/m3
781.1 kg/m3

Further suppose that the aggregates have the following properties:

Coarse aggregate: absorption = 0.5% (by mass)
Fine aggregate:
absorption = 0.9% (by mass)

moisture = 0.3% (by mass)

moisture = 1.3% (by mass)

WATER CONTENT ADJUSTMENT

The coarse aggregate (air dry condition) will take away some added mix water while the fine
aggregate (wet condition) will add to the mix water.
Coarse aggregate: (0.3% - 0.5%) of 1019.7 kg = -2.04 kg water (removed from mix)
Fine aggregate:
(1.3% - 0.9%) of 781.1 kg = +3.12 kg water (added to mix)
Net result: 3.12 2.04 = 1.08 kg water added to mix by aggregates.
Adjusted mix water content = 193.0 1.08 = 191.92 kg/m3
AGGREGATE CONTENT ADJUSTMENT
The aggregate contents should also be adjusted to ensure against under-batching because of
included moisture weight.
Coarse aggregate: 0.3% of 1019.7 kg = 3.06 kg coarse aggregate needs to be added
Fine aggregate:
1.3% of 781.1 kg = 10.15 kg fine aggregate needs to be added
Adjusted coarse aggregate content = 1019.7 + 3.06 = 1022.7 kg/m3
Adjusted fine aggregate content = 781.1 + 10.15 = 791.25 kg/m3
SUMMARY
Adjustments to water content are much more significant than aggregate adjustments, and water
content adjustments for moisture content of aggregate must always be carried out.
Adjustments to water content depend on both the absorption and moisture content of the
aggregate, while adjustments to aggregate contents depend only on moisture content.