Email Address is required Invalid Email Address
In today’s market, it is imperative to be knowledgeable and have an edge over the competition. ACI members have it…they are engaged, informed, and stay up to date by taking advantage of benefits that ACI membership provides them.
Read more about membership
Learn More
Become an ACI Member
Founded in 1904 and headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, the American Concrete Institute is a leading authority and resource worldwide for the development, dissemination, and adoption of its consensus-based standards, technical resources, educational programs, and proven expertise for individuals and organizations involved in concrete design, construction, and materials, who share a commitment to pursuing the best use of concrete.
Staff Directory
ACI World Headquarters 38800 Country Club Dr. Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3439 USA Phone: 1.248.848.3800 Fax: 1.248.848.3701
ACI Middle East Regional Office Second Floor, Office #207 The Offices 2 Building, One Central Dubai World Trade Center Complex Dubai, UAE Phone: +971.4.516.3208 & 3209
ACI Resource Center Southern California Midwest Mid Atlantic
Feedback via Email Phone: 1.248.848.3800
Home > Tools > Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What water-cementitious material ratio should be used for a particular job when strength requirements are to govern? A. When past performance records are available, the w/cm that has proven to meet the requirements with an appropriate degree of safety should be used. If such records do not exist and time and materials are available before the start of the work, the relationship between strength and w/cm can be established by direct tests using these materials. Guidelines for proportioning of concrete and evaluating strength results are given in ACI 211. With this relationship established over the range in strength that will be required, mixtures of whatever consistency that will be needed can be proportioned to use the aggregates most economically. If air-entrained concrete is required on part or all of the work, it should be included in the tests. Also, if more than one type of cement is likely to be required, for example a high-early-strength cement used for special purposes, it should be included in the tests. References: SP-1(02); ACI PRC-211.1-22 Topics in Concrete: Concrete Fundamentals; Mixture Proportioning; Specifications
Q. What water-cementitious material ratio should be used for a particular job when strength requirements are to govern?
A. When past performance records are available, the w/cm that has proven to meet the requirements with an appropriate degree of safety should be used. If such records do not exist and time and materials are available before the start of the work, the relationship between strength and w/cm can be established by direct tests using these materials. Guidelines for proportioning of concrete and evaluating strength results are given in ACI 211. With this relationship established over the range in strength that will be required, mixtures of whatever consistency that will be needed can be proportioned to use the aggregates most economically. If air-entrained concrete is required on part or all of the work, it should be included in the tests. Also, if more than one type of cement is likely to be required, for example a high-early-strength cement used for special purposes, it should be included in the tests.
References: SP-1(02); ACI PRC-211.1-22
Topics in Concrete: Concrete Fundamentals; Mixture Proportioning; Specifications
Search other resources on the ACI website for answers to technical questions