GUIDES
Concrete Mix Design Guides
Practical guides to strength grades, exposure categories and mix specification, grounded in ACI 211.1 and ACI 318. Each guide links through to the calculator so you can apply what you read.
All guides
Strength Grades ExplainedWhat 3000, 4000 and 5000 psi mean and where each is usedPrescriptive vs Performance-Based MixThe two ways concrete is specified under ACI 301Exposure Categories & DurabilityHow ACI 318's F/S/W/C categories can set stricter limits than strength aloneThe ACI 211.1 MethodStep-by-step walkthrough of the calculationMaterial Cost CalculatorCost of concrete per yd³ from your rates
Frequently asked questions
Are these guides a substitute for the standard?
No. These guides explain the concepts in plain language, but the current ACI 211.1 and ACI 318 editions — and your project specification — are always the reference for a real project.
Do I need to be an engineer to use them?
No. They are written to be useful to practising engineers as well as contractors and students who need a clear explanation of a term or a step.