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

Browse Materials Database

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)
🔍
42 materials
🔎

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

← Scroll horizontally to view all columns →

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

  1. Log in to your MixDesignCalc account and navigate to My Materials → Add New Material
  2. Select the material category: Cement, Fine Aggregate, Coarse Aggregate, SCM (Fly Ash, GGBS, SF, etc.), or Admixture
  3. Enter the material name and supplier/source details (for traceability on project documents)
  4. Enter tested properties from your NABL lab report: specific gravity (SSD), water absorption %, fineness modulus (for FA), grading zone, and IS standard number
  5. Upload the NABL test report (optional PDF) — this is stored with the profile and can be attached to your mix design PDF report automatically
  6. Save the profile. It now appears in the material dropdown whenever you run a calculation — select it to auto-fill all property fields instantly
  7. 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

← Scroll horizontally to view all columns →

Property Material IS Test Standard ASTM Equivalent Test Method Summary Frequency (Govt. Projects) NABL Required?
Specific Gravity Cement, SCM IS 4031 Part 11:1988 ASTM C188 Le Chatelier flask with kerosene; min 2 tests, report average Each lot / delivery Yes
Specific Gravity (SSD) Fine Aggregate IS 2386 Part 3:1963 ASTM C128 Pycnometer method; saturate 24 hrs, surface dry, measure volumes Each source change; monthly minimum Yes
Specific Gravity (SSD) Coarse Aggregate IS 2386 Part 3:1963 ASTM C127 Wire basket in water; saturate 24 hrs, surface dry, weigh in air and water Each source change; monthly minimum Yes
Water Absorption Fine & Coarse Aggregate IS 2386 Part 3:1963 ASTM C127/C128 % mass increase from OD to SSD condition; same test as SG Each source change Yes
Surface Moisture Fine Aggregate (daily) IS 2386 Part 3:1963 ASTM C566 Oven dry method or capacitance meter; daily at site; ±0.5% accuracy Daily (each shift during monsoon) No (site test)
Sieve Analysis / Grading Fine & Coarse Aggregate IS 2386 Part 1:1963 ASTM C136 Stack sieve analysis; calculate FM for FA; compare to IS 383 limits Weekly; each new consignment Yes (formal submissions)
Los Angeles Abrasion Coarse Aggregate IS 2386 Part 4:1963 ASTM C131 LA machine, 500 revolutions; % loss by mass; <30% per IS 383 Each new quarry / source Yes
Soundness (Cement) Cement IS 4031 Part 3:1988 ASTM C151 Le Chatelier expansion ≤10mm; or autoclave test Each lot Yes
Compressive Strength Cement IS 4031 Part 6:1988 ASTM C109 70.6mm mortar cubes; 1:3 cement:sand; test at 3d and 28d Each lot; before use in HPC Yes
Activity Index Fly Ash, GGBS, SF IS 3812/16714/15388 ASTM C618/C989/C1240 Strength index vs control mortar: FA ≥75% at 28d; GGBS ≥75%; SF ≥105% Each source / lot change Yes
Chloride Content Admixtures, Mix Water IS 9103 Annex A; IS 456 Cl. 5.4 ASTM C1218 Potentiometric titration; max 0.2% Cl⁻ in admixture (RCC); max 500 mg/l water Each admixture delivery; water test annually Yes
Alkali-Silica Reactivity Coarse & Fine Aggregate IS 2386 Part 7:1963 ASTM C1260 Mortar bar expansion test; <0.10% at 16d (ASTM C1260); petrographic screening Each new quarry source; IRC:112 bridges Yes
MixDesignCalc Footer Preview