Engineering Procedure

SAEP-1152 2 August 2009

Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design
Inspection Engineering Standards Committee Members
Kakpovbia, Anthony Eyankwiere, Chairman
Rajeh, Saleh Rashid, Vice Chairman
Albarillo, Rodolfo Celino
Anazy, Khalid Juma
Boult, David
Carrera, R L
Ghamdi, Khalid Salem
Ingram, James Young
Keen, Peter David
Khunaizi, Mohammad Redhi
Langla, Edward Charles
Mc Ghee, Patrick Timothy
Mohsen, Hassan Abdallah
Seyed Mohamed, Abdul Cader
Shammary, Hamed Abdulwahab
Stockenberger, Hans J
Suwaidan, Khalid Ali

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Purpose.......................................................... 2
3 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
4 References..................................................... 2
5 New Mix Design............................................. 3
6 Mix Design with Established
Mix ID Number........................................ 4
7 Submitting, Reviewing
and Approving Process.......................... 4
8 Vendor/Contractor's Responsibility................ 6

Appendix A – Request for Approval (RFA)

Concrete Mix Design.............................. 7

Previous Issue: 1 July 2008 Next Planned Update: 1 July 2013

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 10
Primary contact: Albarillo, Rodolfo Celino on 966-3-3794009

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2009. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: 1 July 2013 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design

Table of Contents (Cont'd)

Appendix B – Concrete Mix Design Data Sheet... 8

Appendix C – Ready Mix Concrete
Trial Batch Report................................... 9
Appendix D – Concrete Mix Design
Approval Process Flow Chart............... 10

1 Scope

1.1 This Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure (SAEP) describes the approval
process of ready-mixed concrete mix design. It covers only structural and non-
structural concrete mixes described in 09-SAMSS-097 and SAES-Q-001.
Special concrete mix design such as those intended for offshore/marine or high
temperature facilities are not covered by this procedure.

1.2 This SAEP is intended to establish a standardized methodology of approving

ready-mixed concrete mix design to avoid redundancy of reviewing previously
accepted mixes by assigning a unique identification number for every mix
design approved.

1.3 This procedure does not cover the placement, consolidation, curing or protection
of the concrete after delivery to the Purchaser.

2 Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to shorten and improve the mix design review process
and to minimize re-submitting large amounts of test reports and calculations to support
a previously-approved concrete mix design.

3 Conflicts and Deviations

Conflicts between this Engineering Procedure and any other Saudi Aramco Standards
shall be resolved in writing by the company or buyer representative through the Division
Head, Projects Inspection Division, Inspection Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

4 References

Unless stated otherwise, all codes and standards referenced shall be the latest issue
(including Revisions and Addenda). When industry codes and standards, or Saudi
Aramco standards are required for use by project specification they shall become a part
of this Engineering Procedure.

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: 1 July 2013 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design

4.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard

SAES-Q-001 Criteria for Design and Construction of Concrete
Structures

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

09-SAMSS-088 Aggregates for Concrete
09-SAMSS-097 Ready-Mixed Portland Cement Concrete

4.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Concrete Institute

American Society of Testing and Materials

5 New Mix Design

5.1 A new concrete mix design shall be submitted to Saudi Aramco Inspection
Department/Batch Plants & Civil Testing Group (BP&CTG) for approval at
least 30 working days prior to start of concrete work, using Appendices A, B &
C of this standard. Mix proportioning shall be in accordance with the applicable
American Concrete Institute Guide.

5.2 A new mix design is required when a proposed mix has no established record
indicating that it meets all the requirements of applicable standards or
specifications. It is also required if there is a change in type, source or quantity
of the constituent parts of a previously approved mix design.

5.3 New mix design shall be supported by successful full-scale plant trials
performed and certified by a Saudi Aramco-approved independent testing
laboratory. The supplier shall notify the BP&CTG in writing at least 7 working
days prior to conducting a plant trial. Witnessing a plant trial is at the sole
option of BP&CTG who reserves the right to monitor any or all phases of work
required to prepare concrete mix design.

5.4 All quality tests on raw materials shall be performed by a Saudi Aramco
approved independent laboratory.

Blending and proportioning data including test records by the independent

testing laboratory shall be made available upon Saudi Aramco's request.

5.5 The approved mix design shall be assigned a unique Mix Identification (ID)
Number, which shall be indicated in Appendix B, "Concrete Mix Design Data

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: 1 July 2013 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design

Sheet". An approved mix design ID number that has become void or obsolete
due to change of ingredient or any other reason shall not be re-used.

5.6 In remote sites where the concrete batch plant and the concrete mix designs are
approved on one-time basis for a specific project and contractor, new review and
approval are required for other Contractors.
Commentary Note:

One time basis approval is normally granted with certain special conditions, e.g.,
Quality Control & Quality Assurance commitment from the Contractor. If a new
Contractor intends to utilize a batch plant or mix design previously approved with
conditions, the Contractor shall be aware of those conditions and is willing to
implement such conditions.

6 Mix Design with Established Mix ID Number

6.1 While request for mix design approval for new mixes requires several
attachments such as test reports, calculations and mill certificates, mix design
with established Mix ID Number require only the Request for Approval
(Appendix A) and a copy of the approved Appendix B "Concrete Mix Design
Data Sheet". However, the concrete mix design with an established Mix ID
Number, needs to be verified if the tests on the constituent parts are not up-to-
date. If raw materials test reports are not updated based on the frequency set
forth in 09-SAMSS-088, the mix design will not be accepted.
Commentary Note:

Ready mix batch plants are required to perform periodic tests on their concrete
constituent parts in accordance with 09-SAMSS-088 and 09-SAMSS-097. Test
reports shall be regularly submitted to the Area Projects Inspection Units (APIU).
APIU furnishes the BP&CTG of the test results for their review and consolidation.
If a batch plant is not periodically submitting the required tests (performed by a
Saudi Aramco-approved independent testing laboratory), to the Inspection
Department, the proposed mix design will be returned without approval, even if it
has an established Mix ID Number.

6.2 Mix design with established Mix ID Number shall be submitted for approval for
a specific project to the relevant Area Projects Inspection Units (APIU) or the
Area Operations Inspection Unit (AOIU) as applicable, at least 3 working days
prior to start of work.

7 Submitting, Reviewing and Approving Process

7.1 Upon the completion of a successful trial batch (plant trial), the supplier is
required to fill out the Concrete Mix Design Data Sheets (Appendix B & C) of

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: 1 July 2013 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design

this procedure and submit it to the BP&CTG for approval. The concrete
supplier shall maintain the original records of approved mix designs.

7.2 The construction contractor completes Appendix A and submits to PMT or ME

along with forms Appendix B & C. The construction contractor shall ensure that
the proposed pre-approved mix design meets the Exposure Criteria of
SAES-Q-001 Table 1.

7.3 Saudi Aramco Project Engineer or the Operations Maintenance Engineer

verifies that Appendix A, B & C as submitted by the construction contractor
meet the project requirements.

7.4 The Request for Approval form (Appendix A) shall be submitted to the Area
Projects Inspection Unit (APIU) or to the Area Operations Inspection Unit
(AOIU) in their area of coverage, for approval. Copies of the pre-approved mix
design (Appendix B & C) and soil and water analysis report in support of the
Exposure Type per SAES-Q-001 shall be attached.
Commentary Note:

In lieu of the soil/water analysis results, project exposure criteria as established in

the project's geotechnical/soil's investigation report is acceptable.

7.5 The Area Projects Inspection Unit (APIU) or the Area Operations Inspection
Unit (AOIU) is required to:
a) Verify the status of the submitted mix design prior to approval.
b) Verify if the test reports of the constituent parts of the subject mix design
are up-to-date.
c) Verify if the concrete exposure type (SAES-Q-001, Table 1) of the
proposed mix design corresponds with the project's exposure type. The
project's exposure type is based on the Soils/Geotechnical investigation
report, and shall be submitted with the review request to verify compliance
to the exposure requirements of SAES-Q-001 Table 1.
Commentary Notes:

Inspection Department is monitoring all of Saudi Aramco approved

concrete batch plants kingdom wide and updates their status on a monthly
basis.

The Batch Plants & Civil Testing Group maintains a list of all approved
batch plants and mix designs.

All mix designs shall be available at the work site office for review at any
time by the authorized Saudi Aramco Inspector.

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: 1 July 2013 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design

d) Refer to the Flow Chart of the approval process in Appendix D.

8 Vendor/Contractor's Responsibility

Approval of the concrete mix design shall not be construed as authority for deviation
from listed specifications or requirements of the relevant codes and standards and shall
not relieve the contractor/vendor from correcting any deviations at his own expense.

Revision Summary
1 July 2008 Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document, and reissued
with no other changes.
2 August 2009 Editorial revision to change document responsibility and primary contact.

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: 1 July 2013 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design

Appendix A – Request for Approval (RFA) Concrete Mix Design

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: 1 July 2013 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design

Appendix B – Concrete Mix Design Data Sheet

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: 1 July 2013 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design

Appendix C – Ready Mix Concrete Trial Batch Report

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: 1 July 2013 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design

Appendix D – Concrete Mix Design Approval Process Flow Chart

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