Engineering Procedure
SAEP-1152 25 May 2014
Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design
Document Responsibility: Project Quality Standards Committee
Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards
Table of Contents
1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Purpose.......................................................... 2
3 Conflicts and Deviations................................ 2
4 Applicable Documents................................... 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
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
Previous Issue: 14 April 2014 Next Planned Update: 25 May 2019
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Primary contact: Albarillo, Rodolfo Celino (albarirc) on +966-13-8801496
Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2014. All rights reserved.
Document Responsibility: Project Quality Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 25 May 2014
Next Planned Update: 25 May 2019 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design
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 Applicable Documents
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.
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
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Document Responsibility: Project Quality Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 25 May 2014
Next Planned Update: 25 May 2019 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design
09-SAMSS-097 Ready-Mixed Portland Cement Concrete
4.2 Industry Codes and Standards
American Concrete Institute
5 New Mix Design
5.1 A new concrete mix design shall be submitted to Saudi Aramco Inspection
Department/Batch Plants & Civil Testing Unit (BP&CTU) for approval at least
30 working days prior to start of concrete work, using Appendices A, B and C of
this procedure. Mix proportioning shall be in accordance with American
Concrete Institute (ACI) 211 and other applicable ACI references.
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&CTU in writing at least 7 working
days prior to conducting a plant trial. Full-scale plant trial is a witness point (W)
for BP&CTU who reserves the right to monitor any or all phases of work
required to prepare concrete mix design.
Commentary Note:
Calibration of all batch plant scales and uniformity test of central mixer shall be
valid prior to performing any full-scale plant trials.
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
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.
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Document Responsibility: Project Quality Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 25 May 2014
Next Planned Update: 25 May 2019 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design
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.
5.7 All pre-approved Mix Designs are valid only for three (3) years from the date
reflected in the mix design approval (Appendix B).
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 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&CTU 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 Trial Batch Report and Data Sheet
(Appendices B and C) of this procedure and submit to BP&CTU 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 Appendices B and C. The construction contractor shall ensure
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Document Responsibility: Project Quality Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 25 May 2014
Next Planned Update: 25 May 2019 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design
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 Appendices A, B and 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 (Appendices B and 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.
d) Refer to the Flow Chart of the approval process in Appendix D.
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Document Responsibility: Project Quality Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 25 May 2014
Next Planned Update: 25 May 2019 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design
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
25 May 2014 Revised the Next Planned Update, reaffirmed the content of the document, and reissued as
major revision.
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Document Responsibility: Project Quality Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 25 May 2014
Next Planned Update: 25 May 2019 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design
Appendix A – Request for Approval (RFA) Concrete Mix Design
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Document Responsibility: Project Quality Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 25 May 2014
Next Planned Update: 25 May 2019 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design
Appendix B – Concrete Mix Design Data Sheet
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Document Responsibility: Project Quality Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 25 May 2014
Next Planned Update: 25 May 2019 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design
Appendix C – Ready Mix Concrete Trial Batch Report
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Document Responsibility: Project Quality Standards Committee SAEP-1152
Issue Date: 25 May 2014
Next Planned Update: 25 May 2019 Approval Procedure for Ready-Mixed Concrete Mix Design
Appendix D – Concrete Mix Design Approval Process Flow Chart
Concrete Mix Design
Approval Process
No Concrete Mix Design Yes
Previously Approved?
Contractor obtains a
Contractor coordinates with the copy of the pre-
Saudi Aramco Approved approved mix design
Manufacturer to develop a new mix data sheets (Appendices
design B & C) from the SA
approved manufacturer
Contractor to complete
Appendix A
SA Approved Manufacturer
develops a new mix design.
Notifies BP&CTU seven working
days before plant trials
Contractor Submits Appendices
A, B & C to PMT or ME
SA Approved Manufacturer performs a
plant trial (Appendix C), tested and
certified by a SA Approved PMT or ME check Appendices
independent Testing Lab. A, B & C, if it meets project
requirements
PMT request contractor
SA Approved Manufacturer Meets project No to submit a new mix
submits mix design data requirements? design
sheet (Appendix B) and
Trial Batch Report
(Appendix C) to BP&CTU
for Approval Yes
APIU or AOIU checks PMT or ME submits Request
approval status of the for Approval (Appendix A) to
proposed mix design APIU or AOIU
Proposed Mix design No
already approved?
Legend:
Yes · APIU Area Projects Inspection Unit
· AOIU Area Operations Inspection Unit
· BP&CTU Batch Plant & Civil Testing Unit / Inspection
APIU or AOIU Approves Mix · PMT Project Management Team
Revised (D) 04-06-2014 Design for the Project
· ME Maintenance Engineer
· SA Saudi Aramco
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