📋 IS 10262:2019 · IS 456:2000 · PRINT-READY · 2026
Mix Design Cheat Sheets
Quick-reference cards for every key IS 10262 and IS 456 value — keep these on your desk, share with your team, or print for site use. Every critical number in one place.
📋 IS 10262 Nine Steps
🔢 IS 456 Table 5
💧 Water Content Table 2
🌿 SCM k-Factors
📊 QC Acceptance
💰 Cost Formulas
📋Reference Cheat Sheets
10 quick-reference cards — all critical IS 10262:2019 and IS 456:2000 values in compact form
How to use these sheets: Each card contains one specific set of reference data. The orange formula boxes show exact IS 10262 equations. Blue rows are key values. Green rows indicate good/safe conditions. Red rows are limits or non-compliant conditions. Use Ctrl+P (or ⌘+P on Mac) to print — the cards will reformat to two columns for A4.
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IS 10262:2019 — Nine StepsComplete mix design procedure at a glance
1TMS: fcr = fck + 1.65 × S (S from IS 10262 Table 1)
2w/c: From IS 10262 Fig.1 (OPC 53: w/c = (102−fcr)/116) then check IS 456 Table 5 max. Adopt lower value.
3Water: Read IS 10262 Table 2 for MSA and slump. Adjust for agg type, zone, SP.
4Cement: C = W ÷ w/c. Check IS 456 min/max (300–450 kg/m³).
5SCM: Add FA, GGBS, SF. Check effective w/c = W ÷ (C + Σ k·SCM) ≤ IS 456 max.
6CA: From IS 10262 Table 3. CA = jc × DRBD.
7FA sand: V_FA = 1.000 − V_c − V_w − V_CA − V_SCM − V_air. FA = V_FA × SG_FA × 1000.
8Moisture: Batch water = Design W − free moisture in FA − free moisture in CA.
9Trial mixes: 3 batches min. Accept: 28d mean ≥ fcr AND slump ±25mm.
Volume check = 1.000 m³
IS 10262 Cl. 9 — mandatory trial
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IS 456 Table 5 — Durability LimitsMinimum requirements by exposure class
| Exposure | Min Grade | Max w/c | Min C (kg/m³) | Cover* (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild | M20 | 0.55 | 300 | 20–25 |
| Moderate | M25 | 0.50 | 300 | 30 |
| Severe | M30 | 0.45 | 320 | 45 |
| V. Severe | M35 | 0.45 | 340 | 50 |
| Extreme | M40 | 0.40 | 360 | 75 |
Max cement (IS 456 Cl. 8.2.4.2)450 kg/m³
SP mandatory when?M40 Extreme (C>450 without SP)
*Nominal cover to main reinforcement. Slab typically lower end; column higher end of IS 456 Table 16 range.
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IS 10262 Table 2 — Water ContentLitres per m³ · Crushed · Zone II · 27°C
| MSA | 25mm | 50mm | 75mm ⭐ | 100mm | 125mm | 150mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10mm | 208 | 212 | 220 | 228 | 234 | 242 |
| 20mm ⭐ | 175 | 180 | 186 | 194 | 200 | 208 |
| 40mm | 159 | 163 | 168 | 175 | 180 | 188 |
Rounded aggregate adjustment−10 L/m³
M-Sand (moderate dust)+8 L/m³
PCE SP 20% WR× 0.80
FA Zone III (finer sand)+8 L/m³
Fly ash ball-bearing (25%)−6 L/m³ (approx)
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IS 10262 Table 3 — jc ValuesVolume fraction of coarse aggregate · CA = jc × DRBD
| MSA | Zone I | Zone II ⭐ | Zone III | Zone IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10mm (crushed) | 0.54 | 0.52 | 0.50 | 0.48 |
| 20mm (crushed) ⭐ | 0.66 | 0.64 | 0.62 | 0.60 |
| 40mm (crushed) | 0.74 | 0.72 | 0.70 | 0.68 |
| 10mm (rounded) | 0.59 | 0.57 | 0.55 | 0.53 |
| 20mm (rounded) | 0.71 | 0.69 | 0.67 | 0.65 |
Typical DRBD (crushed stone)1380–1550 kg/m³
Most common: 20mm, Zone II, crushedjc=0.64 → CA=928 kg/m³
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IS 10262 Table 1 — Standard DeviationAssumed σ when production data unavailable
| Grade Range | Assumed σ (MPa) | Margin = 1.65σ |
|---|---|---|
| M10 – M15 | 3.5 | 5.78 MPa |
| M20 – M25 | 4.0 | 6.60 MPa |
| M30 – M55 | 5.0 | 8.25 MPa |
| M60+ (init.) | 6.0 (rec.) | 9.90 MPa |
TMS Formulafcr = fck + 1.65 × S
M30 Examplefcr = 30 + 1.65×5.0 = 38.25 MPa
When you have ≥30 resultsUse actual σ (not Table 1)
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SCM k-Factors (IS 10262 Cl. 5.7)Effective w/c = W ÷ (OPC + Σ k·SCM)
| SCM | k-Factor | SG | Max % of OPC | IS Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fly Ash (FA) | 0.25 | 2.20 | 35% | IS 3812 |
| GGBS | 0.60 | 2.90 | 50% | IS 16714 |
| Silica Fume (SF) | 2.50 | 2.20 | 12% | IS 15388 |
| OPC (reference) | 1.00 | 3.15 | — | IS 12269 |
Effective w/c Formula(w/c)_eff = W / (C + k_FA×FA + k_GGBS×GGBS + k_SF×SF)
SF Water Demand Increase+2 L/m³ per 1% SF addition
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IS 10262 Figure 1 — w/c EquationsLinearised strength-w/c relationships by cement type
OPC 53 Grade (IS 12269)w/c = (102 − fcr) / 116
OPC 43 Grade (IS 8112)w/c = (90 − fcr) / 110
PPC (IS 1489)w/c = (82 − fcr) / 108
Valid range onlyM10 – M55 (fcr 16–64 MPa)
M30 OPC 53: fcr=38.25w/c=(102−38.25)/116=0.549
M30 OPC 43: fcr=38.25w/c=(90−38.25)/110=0.471
Above M55IS 10262 Annex C (not Fig.1)
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Absolute Volume MethodAll volumes must sum to exactly 1.000 m³
Volume of each ingredientV = Mass (kg) / (SG × 1000)
Fine aggregate volume (balance)V_FA = 1.000 − V_C − V_W − V_CA − V_SCM − V_air
FA sand massFA_sand = V_FA × SG_FA × 1000
| Material | Typical SG |
|---|---|
| OPC 53 cement | 3.15 |
| Fly ash (SCM) | 2.20 |
| GGBS (SCM) | 2.90 |
| Silica fume | 2.20 |
| Crushed granite/basalt CA | 2.68 |
| River sand / M-Sand FA | 2.65 |
| Air (assumed) | 1.5% = 0.015 m³ |
| Water | 1.00 |
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SP Water Reduction — Quick GuideIS 9103 Type F/G · Cement savings per WR%
| SP Type | Typical WR% | Water (L/m³) | Cement saved (w/c=0.45) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No SP (base) | 0% | 186 | — |
| NSF Type F | 12–18% | 153–164 | 49–74 kg/m³ |
| PCE Type F | 18–25% | 140–153 | 74–102 kg/m³ |
| PCE Type G | 18–30% | 130–153 | 74–124 kg/m³ |
| PCE High-WR | 28–38% | 115–134 | 116–157 kg/m³ |
Water after SPW_design = W_table2 × (1 − WR/100)
Cement saved per 1% extra WR (w/c=0.45)ΔC ≈ 186×0.01/0.45 ≈ 4 kg/m³
SP mandatory at M40 Extreme (base water 186)Without SP: C=186/0.40=465 > 450 kg/m³ ✗
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QC — IS 456 Cl. 15 AcceptanceBoth criteria must pass simultaneously
When n < 15 results
Mean criterionf̄ ≥ fck + 3 MPa
Individual criterionEach fi ≥ fck − 3 MPa
When n ≥ 15 results
Mean criterionf̄ ≥ fck + 0.825 × σ
Individual criterionEach fi ≥ fck − 3 MPa (same)
Non-conforming actionIS 456 Cl. 16 — cores, NOT demolish
Min sampling (IS 456 Cl. 15.2)1 per 50 m³ (or part thereof)
Test result definitionAverage of 3 cubes (150mm, 28d)
One cube outlier ruleDiscard if >15% from avg of other two
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Moisture Correction (IS 10262 Annex A)Applied every batch — without this, your w/c is wrong
Free moisture % = Total moisture % − Absorption %Free% = Measured% − Abs%
Batch aggregate massBatch_FA = SSD_FA × (1 + Free%_FA/100)
Batch_CA = SSD_CA × (1 + Free%_CA/100)
Batch water (reduce for aggregate moisture)Batch_W = Design_W − (SSD_FA × Free%_FA/100)
− (SSD_CA × Free%_CA/100)
Example (FA 4% total, 1% abs; CA 1.5% total, 0.5% abs)Free_FA = 3%, Free_CA = 1%
Batch_W = 186 − (877×0.03) − (928×0.01)
= 186 − 26.3 − 9.3 = 150.4 L/m³
Test FA moisture every shift
IS 2386 Part III
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Key Formulas — Quick ReferenceEvery critical IS 10262 equation on one card
Target Mean Strengthfcr = fck + 1.65 × S
w/c from strength (OPC 53)w/c = (102 − fcr) / 116
Cement contentC = W / w/c
Coarse aggregateCA = jc × DRBD
Volume of ingredientV = Mass / (SG × 1000)
FA sand (balance)V_FA = 1.000 − V_C − V_W − V_CA − 0.015
Effective w/c with SCM(w/c)_eff = W / (C + k_FA×FA + k_SF×SF)
SP water reductionW_new = W_old × (1 − WR%/100)
Characteristic str from datafck_est = f̄ − 1.65 × σ_production
Cement saving from SPΔC = W_old × WR% / (100 × w/c)
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Aggregate Quality LimitsIS 2386 — minimum requirements by concrete grade
| Test | M20–M30 | M35–M45 | M50–M55 | M60+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LA Abrasion | ≤ 30% | ≤ 25% | ≤ 22% | ≤ 18% |
| ACV | ≤ 30% | ≤ 25% | ≤ 22% | ≤ 18% |
| SG (SSD) | ≥ 2.60 | ≥ 2.65 | ≥ 2.68 | ≥ 2.70 |
| Flakiness Index | ≤ 35% | ≤ 25% | ≤ 20% | ≤ 15% |
| Water Absorption | ≤ 2.0% | ≤ 1.5% | ≤ 1.0% | ≤ 0.8% |
Best HSC rock typesBasalt > Granite > Quartzite
Never for HSC M45+Sandstone, shale, weak limestone
Rounded gravel max gradeM40 (jc reduction applies)
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Nominal Mix Ratios — IS 456 Table 9Volume ratios · M5–M25 · Above M25: design mix only
| Grade | C : FA : CA | Max w/c | Water / 50kg bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5 | 1 : 5 : 10 | 0.60 | 30 L |
| M7.5 | 1 : 4 : 8 | 0.60 | 30 L |
| M10 | 1 : 3 : 6 | 0.60 | 30 L |
| M15 | 1 : 2 : 4 | 0.60 | 30 L |
| M20 ⭐ | 1 : 1.5 : 3 | 0.55 | 27.5 L |
| M25 | 1 : 1 : 2 | 0.50 | 25 L |
| M30+ | Design mix only | — | — |
All ratios by volume (loose)Not by mass
Sand bulking error15–40% — weight batch for IS 10262
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Cost Quick Reference — 2026 IndiaApproximate market prices · Use for optimisation analysis
| Material | Unit | Approx. Price | CO₂ (kg/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPC 53 Grade | ₹/t | 4,800–6,200 | 0.890 |
| OPC 43 Grade | ₹/t | 4,500–5,800 | 0.890 |
| PPC (blended) | ₹/t | 4,200–5,500 | 0.600 |
| Fly Ash (SCM) | ₹/t | 600–1,000 | 0.014 |
| GGBS | ₹/t | 2,200–3,400 | 0.068 |
| Silica Fume | ₹/t | 15,000–22,000 | 0.014 |
| NSF SP | ₹/L | 18–35 | — |
| PCE SP | ₹/L | 55–100 | ~2.20 |
| River sand | ₹/t | 1,100–2,200 | 0.005 |
| M-Sand | ₹/t | 800–1,400 | 0.005 |
| Crushed CA | ₹/t | 900–1,400 | 0.0065 |
CO₂ factors: ICE Database v3.0 (2023). Prices: 2026 India average — regional variation ±30%.
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IS 456 Nominal Cover — Table 16Minimum cover to main reinforcement (mm)
| Member | Mild | Moderate | Severe | V. Severe | Extreme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slab | 20 | 30 | 45 | 50 | 75 |
| Beam | 25 | 30 | 45 | 50 | 75 |
| Column | 25 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 75 |
| Foundation | 40 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 75 |
| Retaining wall | 25 | 30 | 45 | 50 | 75 |
Construction tolerance added+10 mm (nominal cover + 10mm = min cover)
Fire resistanceIS 456 Cl. 26.4.3 — check against exposure cover
Cover definitionTo outermost steel (including links/stirrups)