The path to sustainable concrete: a unified grading equation for concrete mix design

In recent years, the cement and construction industries have worked to reduce the cement content in concrete mixes due to increased awareness of the environmental and economic impacts associated with cement production. One effective method for producing low-cement concrete is to optimise the combined grading of the concrete skeleton to achieve the highest packing density. This reduces the volume of voids that need to be filled with cement paste. The present study investigates an innovative equation that consolidates optimal equations commonly used in the optimisation of concrete mixtures. The proposed model aims to streamline the identification of critical properties of the concrete mix, such as aggregate mass ratios, cement content, and interparticle spacing between aggregates. This interparticle spacing is an indicator of the flowability and the mechanical strength of the concrete. This research streamlines concrete mix design for specific properties, minimises reliance on cement, and promotes sustainable, resource-efficient construction practices.