"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."   -  Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Objective

The purpose of this assignment is twofold: first, to develop a spreadsheet to do the ACI Mix Design calculations; and second, to begin to develop an analysis tool that will complement your reinforced concrete beam design project.

The figures below show typical spreadsheet layouts for this problem. Write your analysis including lookup functions on one sheet and store your table data on a second sheet. The figure below shows a typical analysis sheet.  Your spreadsheet may look different as long as it provides for the same input and parameter definitions. The results should be reported in pounds per cubic yard. Click here to download a copy of the template for the following spreadsheet.

Compute the mix design for an interior column. The 28-day compressive strength should be 6,000 psi. The slump should be between 1 and 2 inches and the maximum aggregate size should not exceed 1.5 inch. The properties of the materials are as follows:

• Cement : Type I, specific gravity = 3.15
   

• Coarse Aggregate: Bulk specific gravity (SSD) = 2.65
  dry-rodded unit weight = 96 lb/ft³
  absorption capacity = 0.5%;
  surface moisture = -0.5%
   

• Fine Aggregate: Bulk specific gravity (SSD) = 2.60;
  fineness modulus = 2.70;
  absorption capacity = 1.1%;
  surface moisture = 1.5%

Part 2: Write a spreadsheet that will determine the mix proportion using the ACI method for air-entrained concrete.  Write your spreadsheet so that the user may enter values for the design variables (the exposure level, maximum aggregate size, the desired slump, and the 28-day compressive strength) and values for material constants (for example, specific gravity, dry-rodded unit weight, absorption capacity, and fineness modulus). 

The figure below shows a typical spreadsheet layout for this problem. Write your analysis including lookup functions on one sheet and store your table data on a second sheet. The figure below shows a typical analysis sheet.  Your spreadsheet may look different as long as it provides for the same input and parameter definitions. The results should be reported in pounds per cubic yard.

Compute the mix design for an exterior column where moderate freeze-thaw effects should be considered. The 28-day compressive strength should be 5,000 psi. The slump should be between 1 and 2 inches and the maximum aggregate size should not exceed 1 inch. The properties of the materials are as follows:

• Cement : Type I, specific gravity = 3.15
   

• Coarse Aggregate: Bulk specific gravity (SSD) = 2.65
  dry-rodded unit weight = 96 lb/ft³
  absorption capacity = 0.5%;
  surface moisture = 0.5%
   

• Fine Aggregate: Bulk specific gravity (SSD) = 2.60;
  fineness modulus = 2.70;
  absorption capacity = 1.1%;
  surface moisture = 1%

A web page describing the CIVL 1112  Excel Homework Policy is available. Read it before you turn in each assignment this semester. You will be graded according to the policy outlined in it.

Coversheet for homework

This website was originally developed by Charles Camp for CIVL 1112.
This site is maintained by the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Memphis.
Your comments and questions are welcomed.