For the majority of common applications the most convenient way to specify a concrete mix is to use a designated concrete. Designated concrete mixes for various applications are described with a simple code number; this code allows the mix required to be easily communicated to the supplier. There are designated mixes suitable for a wide range of housing, structural and other applications. Producers of designated concrete must have in place a system of third party accreditation for their production control and product conformity. This accreditation allows the customer to be confident that concrete supplied with be suitable for the required application.
Application |
Designated Mix |
Recommended Consistence Class |
Unreinforced foundations and associated works requiring design chemical class 1 (DC-1) |
Drainage works to give immediate support |
GEN1 |
S1 (10-40mm) |
Blinding and mass concrete fill, strip footings, mass concrete foundations, oversite below suspended slabs, other drainage works |
GEN1 |
S3 (100-150mm)* |
Trench fill foundations |
GEN1 |
S4 (160-210mm) |
Unreinforced foundations requiring DC-2 to DC-4 concrete |
DC-2 foundations |
FND2 |
S3 (100-150mm)*† |
DC-2z foundations |
FND2Z |
S3 (100-150mm)*† |
DC-3 foundations |
FND3 |
S3 (100-150mm)*† |
DC-3z foundations |
FND3Z |
S3 (100-150mm)*† |
DC-4 foundations |
FND4 |
S3 (100-150mm)*† |
DC-4z foundations |
FND4Z |
S3 (100-150mm)*† |
DC-4m foundations |
FND4M |
S3 (100-150mm)*† |
General applications |
Kerb bedding and backing |
GEN0 |
S1 (10-40mm) |
Floors |
House floors with no embedded metal, permanent finish to be added, eg a screed or floating floor |
GEN1 |
S2 (50-90mm) |
House floors with no embedded metal, no permanent finish to be added, eg carpeted |
GEN2 |
S2 (50-90mm) |
Garage floors with no embedded metal |
GEN3 |
S2 (50-90mm) |
Wearing surface: light foot and trolley traffic |
RC25/30 |
S2 (50-90mm) |
Wearing surface: general industrial |
RC32/40 |
S2 (50-90mm) |
Wearing surface: heavy industrial |
RC40/50 |
S2 (50-90mm) |
Paving |
House drives and domestic parking |
PAV1 |
S2 (50-90mm)* |
Heavy-duty external paving with rubber tyre vehicles |
PAV2 |
S2 (50-90mm)* |
* This is the default slump class for this designated concrete
† For trench fill, the recommended consistence class is S4 (160-210mm)