Comparative Study of ACI and BIS Methods of Concrete Mix Design and Demonstration of Cracking Pattern of Concrete Specimens

This study aims at comparison of BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) and ACI (American Concrete Institute) methods of concrete mix design. However both methods are built on basis of some basic principles and empirical relations but some minor differences exist between them. M25, M35 and M45 grades of ordinary strength, medium strength and higher strength were chosen.27 cube specimens (15 cm sides) and 27 cylindrical specimens (15 cm diameter, 30 cm height) were prepared by BIS and ACI concrete mix design methods respectively. These specimens were tested after 7days, 14 days and 28 day of curing. Material quantities required for manufacturing one cubic meter concrete by both methods were calculated numerically under codal provisions. Some differences were found in quantities calculated by both methods. Major differences were noticed in compressive strengths of specimens made by both methods. It was also noticed that cracked specimens of both methods show a great similarity in their cracking pattern.