Mechanical and Durability Performance of Concrete with Optimized Aggregate Gradation: Binary-Ternary Dewar Versus Modified Andreasen-Andersen Models

Lodgar Gabriel Mlodi (Faculty of Engineering, Parahyangan Catholic University, Jl. Ciumbuleuit No. 94, Bandung 40141, Indonesia)
Herry Suryadi Djayaprabha (Faculty of Engineering, Parahyangan Catholic University, Jl. Ciumbuleuit No. 94, Bandung 40141, Indonesia)
Brighton Tosha (College of Engineering and Technology (CoET), University of Dar Es salaam, Mwl. Nyerere Campus, United Republic of Tanzania)

Media Teknik Sipil
Vol. 24 No. 1 (2026): Februari 2026 (In Progress)

Aggregate gradation plays a critical role in mechanical and durability performance of concrete by governing packing density, paste demand, and material efficiency. However, conventional gradation standards permit wide particle size ranges that may result in suboptimal packing and inconsistent performance. This study evaluates three gradation optimization approaches Dewar’s Binary and Ternary models and Modified Andreasen–Andersen model to enhance concrete performance. The Dewar Ternary mixture was optimized to achieve maximum packing density at a water-to-cement ratio of 0.30 and a cement content of 514.7 kg/m³, which were then fixed for all mixtures. The Binary model considered only fine and coarse aggregates in the packing system, while the Ternary model incorporated cement as a third particle fraction. The Modified Andreasen–Andersen model employed a continuous power-law gradation (q = 0.28). Concrete performance was evaluated in terms of workability, strength, and durability. The Dewar ternary mixture exhibited the highest slump of 85 mm, achieved a 28-day compressive strength of approximately 34.0 MPa, and showed the lowest chloride penetrability of 4443 coulombs. The Modified Andreasen–Andersen mixture developed moderate strength of 30.5 MPa, while the binary mixture exhibited inferior workability and the lowest strength of approximately 23.8 MPa.