Designated concrete mixes

Introduction:

British Standard BS 8500-1 , the standard which covers concrete specification, identifies a number of mixes which are 'designated' a simple(ish) name, with each mix intended for a range of specific purposes within the civil engineering industry.

The idea behind designated mixes is to simplify the specification process, primarily by limiting customer input to selecting strength, aggregate size and consistence (although there can be some additional input, such as cement type , in certain circumstances). The producer then creates a concrete to meet these requirements and retains control over other factors as they see best for any praticular location and application.

For the vast majority of paving, hard-landscaping and drainage projects, a designated concrete is easier to specify than going to all the trouble of creating a prescribed or standardized prescribed concrete.

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 Designated mixes available

Designation Applications Types Strengths GEN General civil engineering applications GEN 0 GEN 1 GEN 2 GEN 3 Typically ranging C6/8 up to C16/20 FND Foundations including reinforced foundations FND 2 FND 3 FND 4 Typically C25/30 PAV Driveways and Paving PAV 1 PAV 2 C28/35 and C32/40 RC Reinforced concrete floor slabs RC30 to RC 50 C25/30 to C40/50

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 Typical applications for designated mixes

Use Mix Consistence Kerbs and edgings bed and haunching GEN 0 S1 Drainage works needing immediate support GEN 1 S1 General drainage works GEN 1 S3 Residential driveways, domestic and external parking PAV 1 S2 Heavy-duty commercial external paving PAV 2 S2 Blinding and mass concrete fill GEN 1 S3 Strip footings GEN 1 S3 House floor with no steel reinforcement, where permanent finish is to be added e.g. a screed GEN 1 S2 House floor with no steel reinforcement, with no permanent finish e.g. carpeted GEN 2 S2 Garage/shed floor with no steel reinforcement GEN 3 S2

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