In a 1:2:4 concrete mix using a one bagger mixer, what is the approximate amount of water required?

In a 1:2:4 concrete mix, the numbers represent the relative proportions of cement, sand, and gravel, respectively. This specific mix ratio corresponds to one part cement, two parts sand, and four parts gravel.

For a typical one bagger mixer, which usually refers to a mixer that can handle one bag of cement (typically 50 kg or about 1.5 cubic feet), the water-to-cement ratio is crucial for achieving the desired workability and strength in the finished concrete. Standard practice generally dictates using about 0.5 to 0.6 times the weight of cement for the water amount in a concrete mix, depending on the specific requirements, such as desired strength and workability.

Given a one bag of cement weighing 50 kg, using a water-cement ratio of approximately 0.5 (which is common), one would calculate the water required as follows:

Water = 50 kg (cement) x 0.5 = 25 kg

Since the weight of water is roughly equal to its volume in liters (1 kg of water equals approximately 1 liter), this translates to about 25 liters of water. Therefore, the most appropriate amount of water required for this 1:2: