Materials Database | MixDesignCalc 2026 – Concrete Mix Design Material Properties

Materials Database | MixDesignCalc

Searchable Reference Database of Concrete Materials — Cement Types, Aggregates, SCMs & Admixtures with IS 10262:2019 Compatible Properties for Mix Design

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About the Materials Database – How to Use It with MixDesignCalc

The Materials Database provides reference property values for all major concrete materials used in Indian construction in 2026. Every entry includes the key parameters needed for IS 10262:2019 mix design: specific gravity (SSD), water absorption, IS standard reference, and typical ranges validated against published data. Use these values as starting points when actual NABL-tested results are not yet available — or to cross-check your tested values against typical ranges before entering them in MixDesignCalc.

How Database Values Relate to MixDesignCalc Inputs

Specific Gravity (SSD): The primary mix design input — used in the absolute volume equation (V = Mass / SG × 1000) to ensure all ingredients sum to exactly 1 m³. Always replace with your actual NABL-tested SG before formal mix design submission
Water Absorption (%): Used to compute the batch water correction — the additional water to add when aggregates arrive drier than SSD, or to subtract when they arrive wetter
Fineness / Blaine: Affects water demand and rate of strength development — finer materials generally increase water demand but can improve early strength
IS Standard: Confirms the material meets BIS specification requirements — essential for government project approval and NABL documentation

Important – Database Values are Reference Ranges, Not Certified Test Results

All values in this database are typical ranges compiled from IS standards, manufacturer technical data sheets, and published research. They are suitable for preliminary calculations and plausibility checking, but must not be used as substitutes for actual NABL-accredited laboratory test results on formal mix design reports for government or supervised projects. Test your specific materials and use those results in MixDesignCalc for all formal submissions.

Searchable Materials Database – Cement, Aggregates, SCMs & Admixtures (2026)

Search by material name, type, or property. Click any card to see the full property sheet. Filter by category to narrow results. All 42 entries cover materials commonly available across India in 2026.

All Materials (42)
🏭 Cement (9)
🏖️ Fine Aggregate (7)
🪨 Coarse Aggregate (8)
♻️ SCMs (8)
🧪 Admixtures (7)
💧 Water (3)

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42 materials

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No materials found matching your search. Try a different keyword or clear the filter.

Using Material Properties in IS 10262:2019 Mix Design – Quick Guide 2026

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Material Property	Symbol	How Used in IS 10262	Test Method	If Not Tested — Use	Impact of Wrong Value
Cement Specific Gravity	SG_c	V_cement = C / (SG_c × 1000) — affects cement volume, thus all aggregate volumes	IS 4031 Part 11 (Le Chatelier, kerosene)	OPC 53 = 3.15; PPC = 2.97; PSC = 2.90	±0.05 in SG_c → ~5 kg/m³ aggregate error
Fine Aggregate SG (SSD)	SG_FA	V_FA = M_FA / (SG_FA × 1000) — directly sets FA mass from volume	IS 2386 Part 3 (pycnometer method)	River sand = 2.65; M-sand = 2.62	±0.05 error → ~15 kg/m³ FA mass error
Coarse Aggregate SG (SSD)	SG_CA	V_CA = M_CA / (SG_CA × 1000) — directly sets CA mass from volume	IS 2386 Part 3 (wire basket method)	Granite = 2.68; Limestone = 2.60	±0.05 error → ~20 kg/m³ CA mass error
Water Absorption — FA (%)	Abs_FA	Batch water correction when sand is below SSD	IS 2386 Part 3	River sand = 1.0%; M-sand = 1.5%	1% absorption error → ~7 kg/m³ batch water shift
Water Absorption — CA (%)	Abs_CA	Batch water correction when CA is below SSD	IS 2386 Part 3	Granite = 0.6%; Limestone = 1.8%	1% absorption error → ~12 kg/m³ batch water shift
SCM Specific Gravity	SG_SCM	V_SCM = M_SCM / (SG_SCM × 1000) — critical as SCMs have much lower SG than OPC	IS 4031 Part 11 (same as cement)	FA = 2.25; GGBS = 2.90; SF = 2.25	Using OPC SG (3.15) for FA → underestimates FA volume by ~40%
Fine Aggregate Grading Zone	Zone I–IV	Determines recommended FA% in IS 10262 Annex A Table A-1	IS 383:2016 sieve analysis (IS 2386 Part 1)	Most Indian river sand = Zone II	Wrong zone → ±3–5% FA:CA ratio shift
Admixture Solid Content (%)	SC_adm	Water in admixture = Volume × (1 − SC/100) → deducted from batch water	Manufacturer CoA; EN 480-8	PCE SP: 30–40% solid; check product CoA	Not deducting admixture water → actual w/c higher than designed

Plausibility Ranges – When to Question a Test Result

Cement SG < 3.10 or > 3.19: Suspect incorrect test or quality issue. Repeat Le Chatelier test with fresh sample
Sand SG < 2.55 or > 2.75: Possible impurity, high clay content, or wrong material. Check deleterious matter test
Granite/Basalt CA SG < 2.60: May contain significant weathered or porous rock. Check LA abrasion value — should be <30% per IS 383
Sand absorption > 3.0%: Unusually porous — possible silt or shell content. Increase batch water measurement frequency
CA absorption > 5.0%: Very porous aggregate; consider replacing. Recycled aggregate absorption up to 8% is normal
Fly ash SG < 1.90 or > 2.60: Likely measurement error. Check source and repeat pycnometer test

Adding Your Own Material Properties to MixDesignCalc – Step-by-Step Guide

MixDesignCalc allows registered users to save custom material profiles with their own NABL-tested property values. These saved profiles auto-populate in the calculator inputs, eliminating repetitive data entry across multiple mix design calculations for the same project materials.

Steps to Create a Custom Material Profile

Log in to your MixDesignCalc account and navigate to My Materials → Add New Material
Select the material category: Cement, Fine Aggregate, Coarse Aggregate, SCM (Fly Ash, GGBS, SF, etc.), or Admixture
Enter the material name and supplier/source details (for traceability on project documents)
Enter tested properties from your NABL lab report: specific gravity (SSD), water absorption %, fineness modulus (for FA), grading zone, and IS standard number
Upload the NABL test report (optional PDF) — this is stored with the profile and can be attached to your mix design PDF report automatically
Save the profile. It now appears in the material dropdown whenever you run a calculation — select it to auto-fill all property fields instantly
Update when materials change: Create a new version of the profile when you receive a new material delivery with different test results. Keep the previous version for historical records

Custom Profile Benefits for Project Teams

Consistency across calculations: All engineers on the project use the same tested material values — eliminates the risk of one team member using a default SG while another uses the tested value
Faster recalculations: When the structural engineer changes the grade or exposure class, re-running the mix design with saved profiles takes under 30 seconds
Audit trail: Each profile records who entered the data, when, and from which lab report — useful for government project documentation and QC audits
Seasonal updates: Save monsoon and dry-season aggregate profiles with different moisture corrections pre-applied — switch between them with a single click
Multi-project library: Profiles from completed projects are retained in your library for reference — useful when the same quarry or supplier is used on a new project

Material Testing Reference – IS Standards for Mix Design Property Measurement 2026