MixDesignCalc Complete Guide 2026 — Cement Type Selection OPC/PPC/PSC/SRC, Aggregate Properties SG & Absorption, SCM Selection Fly Ash/GGBS/Silica Fume, Water Quality. Interactive Material Property Lookup & IS 10262:2019 Input Checker.
Select MaterialsThe quality and properties of concrete materials directly determine every output of the IS 10262:2019 mix design procedure. Using incorrect specific gravity values is one of the most common mix design errors — changing the SG of coarse aggregate from 2.65 to 2.70 (a difference apparent to many engineers as negligible) changes the calculated CA mass by approximately 20 kg/m³ and disrupts the volume balance by nearly 0.008 m³ — enough to require a full recalculation. This page provides the reference data, selection guidance, and property verification tool needed before entering values into MixDesignCalc.
Select a material category below to browse typical IS-tested properties for each material type. Click any material card to populate the values into the material checker below.
The following table provides typical specific gravity values for all concrete materials commonly used in Indian construction in 2026, along with the relevant test standard. Always use lab-tested SG values from NABL-accredited laboratories for formal project mix designs.
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| Material | IS Standard | Typical SG Range | SG for Design (use if no test) | Absorption % (typical) | Test Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPC 53 Grade | IS 12269:2013 | 3.10–3.17 | 3.15 | N/A | IS 4031 Part 11 (Le Chatelier) | Actual SG varies with clinker source |
| OPC 43 Grade | IS 8112:2013 | 3.10–3.17 | 3.14 | N/A | IS 4031 Part 11 | Slightly lower than OPC 53 typical |
| PPC (IS 1489 Pt1) | IS 1489:2015 | 2.90–3.05 | 2.97 | N/A | IS 4031 Part 11 | Lower SG due to FA dilution (SG~2.25) |
| PSC (IS 455) | IS 455:2015 | 2.80–2.95 | 2.90 | N/A | IS 4031 Part 11 | GGBS lowers SG significantly |
| SRC (IS 12330) | IS 12330:1988 | 3.10–3.16 | 3.15 | N/A | IS 4031 Part 11 | Similar to OPC 53 (low C₃A, high C₄AF) |
| Granite (crushed) | IS 383:2016 | 2.63–2.72 | 2.68 | 0.3–1.0% | IS 2386 Part 3 (pycnometer) | Most common CA in India; SSD basis |
| Basalt / Trap | IS 383:2016 | 2.82–2.96 | 2.90 | 0.2–0.8% | IS 2386 Part 3 | Higher SG → heavier concrete; south India |
| Limestone | IS 383:2016 | 2.48–2.65 | 2.57 | 0.5–2.5% | IS 2386 Part 3 | Wide range; test soundness (MgO content) |
| Quartzite | IS 383:2016 | 2.60–2.68 | 2.64 | 0.3–0.8% | IS 2386 Part 3 | Hard; low absorption; good for M40+ |
| Natural Gravel | IS 383:2016 | 2.58–2.68 | 2.63 | 0.3–1.0% | IS 2386 Part 3 | Rounded; use rounded correction in IS 10262 |
| River Sand (natural) | IS 383:2016 | 2.58–2.67 | 2.63 | 0.5–2.0% | IS 2386 Part 3 | Most common FA; test FM and zone |
| Manufactured Sand (M-Sand) | IS 383:2016 | 2.60–2.70 | 2.65 | 1.0–2.5% | IS 2386 Part 3 | Add +7 kg/m³ water correction (IS 10262) |
| Fly Ash (IS 3812 Pt1) | IS 3812:2003 | 2.10–2.40 | 2.25 | N/A | IS 4031 Part 11 / specific gravity bottle | Very low SG — large volume contribution |
| GGBS (IS 16714) | IS 16714:2018 | 2.85–2.95 | 2.90 | N/A | IS 4031 Part 11 | Close to OPC SG; small volume change |
| Silica Fume (IS 15388) | IS 15388:2003 | 2.18–2.26 | 2.22 | N/A | IS 4031 Part 11 | Ultra-fine; low SG but tiny dosage volume |
| Water | IS 456 Cl. 5.4 | 1.000 | 1.000 | N/A | Fixed at 1.000 for design | Even high-TDS water ≈ 1.001–1.003 SG (negligible) |
Q: Which cement type should I use for M30 concrete in a coastal building?
For M30 concrete in a coastal building within 1km of the sea (Severe to Very Severe exposure): OPC 53 Grade + GGBS 40% is the 2026 best practice recommendation. OPC 53 provides the high early strength needed to maintain construction schedule; GGBS 40% dramatically reduces the chloride diffusion coefficient (by 3–5×), protecting the embedded reinforcement from sea salt corrosion over the structure's design life. Pure PPC or PSC are acceptable alternatives if OPC 53 + GGBS is not available, but the combined OPC 53 + GGBS system allows independent control of the binder proportions and is the most specifiable. Avoid OPC 33 or nominal PPC without testing for coastal applications.
Q: Should I use the SG from the cement manufacturer's test certificate or test it myself?
For formal IS 10262:2019 mix design documentation, you should use the SG from the NABL-accredited test certificate accompanying the cement delivery — either from the manufacturer's quality control or from an independent NABL lab. The manufacturer's test certificate SG is conducted per IS 4031 Part 11 and is reliable. For quick preliminary calculations, use 3.15 for OPC 53, 3.14 for OPC 43, 2.97 for PPC, and 2.90 for PSC. If the project specification requires independent material testing (common for government and infrastructure projects), test every cement lot at an independent NABL lab before use.
Q: What is the difference between OD, air-dry, SSD, and saturated specific gravity for aggregates?
IS 2386 Part 3 defines four moisture states: (1) OD (Oven Dry) — all moisture removed at 105°C; (2) Air-Dry — some surface moisture evaporated, pores still partially absorbed; (3) SSD (Saturated Surface Dry) — pores full of water, no free surface moisture — this is the reference state for IS 10262 mix design; (4) Saturated — pores full plus free water on surface. IS 10262:2019 uses SSD-basis SG and SSD-basis masses. The absorption percentage = (SSD mass − OD mass) / OD mass × 100. In practice, the SSD SG measured by IS 2386 Part 3 pycnometer method is the value to enter in MixDesignCalc. Never use OD SG (slightly higher, 0.01–0.03 difference) as it gives incorrect volume calculation.
Q: Can I use recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) from demolished concrete in a new mix design?
Recycled Coarse Aggregate (RCA) from demolished concrete is covered by IS 17452:2022 in India. RCA has significantly different properties from natural aggregate: SG typically 2.20–2.50 (lower due to attached mortar); absorption 3–10% (much higher than natural); variable quality; residual chloride and sulphate content. For IS 10262 mix design with RCA: (1) Test SG and absorption per IS 2386 Part 3 for each RCA lot — do not use granite SG defaults; (2) RCA should not exceed 25% of total coarse aggregate for structural concrete above M20; (3) Account for higher water absorption in batch water correction; (4) Structural engineer approval required for any structural use of RCA above M20.
Q: What fineness modulus of sand is ideal for concrete mix design?
IS 10262:2019 and IS 383:2016 prefer fine aggregate in Zone II (FM = 2.9–3.5) as the standard design condition. The ideal FM for most structural concrete is approximately 2.9–3.2 — coarse enough to reduce water demand and improve workability (compared with Zone III–IV fine sand), fine enough to provide adequate mortar volume for good cohesion and pumpability. FM below 2.4 (Zone IV) should not be used for M35+ concrete without special investigation. FM above 3.5 (Zone I) needs higher FA% to compensate for poor particle packing. Monitor FM weekly on site — FM variation of ±0.2 from design FM requires a proportioning adjustment (±1.5% FA per 0.1 FM change per IS 10262).