10 MPa Lean Concrete 2026 — Blinding PCC, Levelling Concrete, Plain Fill, Cyclopean Concrete & DLC Sub-base: Nominal Mix (1:3:6) with IS 10262:2019 Absolute Volume Verification, 40–80mm MSA Economy Design & Batch Quantities
M10 is the lowest structural concrete grade in IS 456:2000 — and the workhorse of site preparation, blinding, levelling, and unreinforced fill work. With no reinforcement and no structural tensile demands, M10 concrete is designed around economy rather than performance optimisation. The goal is to achieve 10 MPa cube strength at the lowest possible cement content by maximising aggregate size (40–80mm), using high w/c (0.55–0.70), and relying on IS 456:2000 Table 9 nominal mix proportions rather than trial-mix-intensive IS 10262:2019 calculations.
IS 456:2000 Table 9 permits nominal mix proportions (1:3:6 for M10) for concrete up to and including M20 without detailed mix design. This calculator implements BOTH the nominal mix approach AND the IS 10262:2019 absolute volume verification so you can cross-check and choose the more economical option.
✅ Correct uses:
• Blinding/PCC under foundations, raft slabs, footing bases
• Levelling screed / floor levelling layer
• Plain concrete fill in trenches, over-excavations
• Unreinforced retaining mass, gravity walls
• Cyclopean concrete (with 80mm+ aggregate/boulders)
• DLC sub-base (10 MPa target per IRC:SP:62)
❌ Never use M10 for:
• Any reinforced concrete element
• Load-bearing structural columns, beams, slabs
• Pre/post-tensioned elements
• Any IS 456 exposure class above Mild
Lean plain concrete placed beneath reinforced concrete foundations to provide a clean, flat working surface and prevent soil contamination of the structural concrete. IS 1904:1986 recommends minimum 75mm blinding thickness. No structural strength requirement — 10 MPa cube strength ensures basic integrity and workability for placement and levelling.
Select the application and enter project parameters above, then click Calculate M10 Mix. Results include both nominal mix (1:3:6) and IS 10262:2019 absolute volume calculations, a comparison table, batch quantities, cost economy analysis, and application-specific notes.
IS 456:2000 Table 9 permits the use of nominal mix proportions (by volume) for concrete grades M5 through M20 without detailed mix design calculations. For M10, the nominal mix is 1:3:6 (Cement : Fine Aggregate : Coarse Aggregate by volume). Nominal mixes are slightly conservative and slightly wasteful of cement — detailed mix design per IS 10262:2019 typically reduces cement content by 5–15% for the same target strength.
| Grade | Nominal Mix Ratio (C:FA:CA) | Max w/c | Min Cement (kg/m³) | Typical Application | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M5 | 1 : 5 : 10 | 0.80 | 160 | Very lean fill; oversite concrete | Rarely used in structural applications |
| M10 This Calc | 1 : 3 : 6 | 0.70 | 210 | Blinding, levelling, fill, DLC, cyclopean | IS 456 permits no-reinforcement use; nominal mix adequate |
| M15 | 1 : 2 : 4 | 0.60 | 240 | Plain concrete footings, PCC under slabs | Used where slightly higher strength required for blinding |
| M20 | 1 : 1.5 : 3 | 0.55 | 300 | General structural RCC (minimum for Moderate exposure) | Last grade for nominal mix per IS 456 Table 9; M25+ needs IS 10262 |
IS 456:2000 Cl.9.1 permits nominal mixes per Table 9 for grades M5 through M20 provided the concrete is for plain (unreinforced) concrete only OR where the project engineer is satisfied that the nominal mix will achieve the specified grade. For reinforced concrete, IS 456 recommends (and for M25+, mandates) designed mix per IS 10262. In practice: M10 blinding PCC and M15 lean fill are always acceptable as nominal mixes without formal IS 10262 trial mix process. M20 reinforced structural concrete should use IS 10262, not nominal mix — nominal M20 over-represents cement risk under site batching variability.