Mix Formulas 101

This class provides actual formulas for 2 very different from-scratch concrete countertop mixes. You get the formulas for:

• An all-sand mix that produces a stiff consistency perfect for a variegated look
• An aggregate-based, high slump mix perfect for vibration and a uniform look

These mixes achieve compressive strengths of over 4000 PSI in 1 day, 6200 PSI in 3 days, and 8200 PSI in 7 days.  

Far beyond just providing simple recipes to follow blindly, this course explains all of the principles of concrete countertop mix design, such as water/cement ratio, how pozzolans work and how concrete cures, as well as a troubleshooting guide. It also provides a step by step procedure for mixing the concrete, telling you the order in which to add the ingredients to the mixer.

Best of all, the course includes an easy-to-use mix calculator in the form of an Excel spreadsheet that calculates exactly how much of each ingredient, including pigments and decorative glass, and produces a printable batch report for you to use while mixing. It even comes with sample colors formulas to get you started.

Textbook table of contents:

1. Concrete Primer
   • Primary Ingredients
     • Aggregate
       • Concrete Aggregate Selection
       • Material
       • Color
       • Shape
       • Size
       • Aggregate Gradation
       • Graded Aggregate Concrete
       • Decorative Aggregates, Glass and Metal
     • Cement
     • Water
       • Importance of the water to cement ratio
   • Secondary Concrete Ingredients
     • Admixtures for concrete
       • Accelerators
       • Retarders
       • Water Reducers
       • Superplasticizer (High Range Water Reducers)
     • Pigments
     • Pozzolans
     • Fibers
       • How Fibers Work
   • Concrete Consistency Comparison
     • Stiff Concrete
     • Fluid Concrete
2. CCI Mix Designs
   • CCI’s Basic All-Sand Concrete Countertop Mix
     • Basic All-Sand Concrete Mix Formula
     • Hand-Packable, Stiff Concrete Consistency
     • Mixing Procedure
   • CCI’s Gravel-Based Mix Formula
     • Gravel-Based Concrete Mix Formula
     • Flowable Concrete Consistency
     • Mixing Procedure
3. Mixing the Concrete
   • Safety
   • Measuring by Weight
   • Mixers
   • Batch Size
   • Order of Addition into the Mixer
   • Procedure
   • Points to Remember
4. Mix Troubleshooting
   • Air Bubbles
   • Curling
   • Hairline Cracks
   • Honeycombing
   • Harsh Mix
   • Segregation
   • Bleed Water
   • Weak Concrete
   • Long Set Time
5. Appendix
   • Storage of Materials
   • Types of Aggregates and Cement
   • Sources: Admixtures and Ingredients