AMENDMENT NO.

4 – MAY 2013
TO
IS 456: 2000 PLAIN AND REINFORCE CONCRETE - CODE OF PRACTICE

Sl. No. Clause Before Amendment After Amendment

Aggregates shall comply with the requirements of IS 383. As
5.3
1. far as possible preference shall be given to natural Aggregates shall comply with the requirements of IS 383.
Aggregates aggregates.
Coarse and fine aggregate shall be batched separately. All-
2. 5.3.4 in-aggregate may be used only where specifically permitted Coarse and fine aggregate shall be batched separately.
by the engineer-in-charge.

Water used for mixing and curing shall be clean and free Water, natural or treated, used for mixing and curing shall be
5.4 from injurious amounts of oils, acids, alkalis, salts, sugar, clean and free from injurious amounts of oils, acids, alkalis, salts,
3.
Water organic materials or other substances that may be sugar, organic materials or other substances that may be
deleterious to concrete or steel. deleterious to concrete or steel.

Mixing or curing of concrete with sea water is not

Sea water shall not be used for mixing or curing of concrete
recommended because of presence of harmful salts in sea
because of presence of harmful salts. Under unavoidable
water. Under unavoidable circumstances sea water may be
5.4.3 circumstances sea water may be used for mixing or curing in plain
4. used for mixing or curing in plain concrete with no
Sea Water concrete with no embedded steel after having given due
embedded steel after having given due consideration to
consideration to possible disadvantages and precautions
possible disadvantages and precautions including use of
including use of appropriate cement system.
appropriate cement system.
The amount of admixture added to a mix shall be recorded in the
production record. Redosing of admixtures is not normally
permitted. In special circumstances, if necessary, additional dose
of admixture may be added at a project site and mixed
5.5.7 –
5. - adequately in mixer itself to regain the workability of concrete
New clause added with the mutual agreement between the producer/supplier and
the purchaser/user of concrete. However the producer/supplier
shall assure the ultimate quality of concrete supplied by him and
maintain record of quantity and time of addition.
 In this amendment,
Classification of Concrete
has been changed.
M60Gr. has been shifted
Table 2 – to Standard concrete and
6.
Grades of Concrete from Grades M85 to
M100 are added to High
strength concretes. In
note to M55 is replaced
with M60.

A durable concrete is one that performs satisfactorily in the

A durable concrete is one that performs satisfactorily in the
working environment during its anticipated exposure
working environment during its anticipated exposure conditions
8.1 conditions during service. The materials and mix
7. during service life. The materials and mix proportions specified
General proportions specified and used should be such as to
and used should be such as to maintain its integrity and, if
maintain its integrity and, if applicable, to protect
applicable, to protect embedded metal from corrosion.
embedded metal from corrosion.

NOTES to Table 5
Minimum Cement Cement content prescribed in this table is irrespective of the Cement content prescribed in this table is irrespective of grades
Content, Maximum grades of cement and it is inclusive of additions mentioned and types of cement and is inclusive of mineral admixtures
Water-Cement Ratio in 5.2. The additions such as fly ash or ground granulated mentioned in 5.2. The mineral admixtures such as fly ash or
and Minimum Grade blast furnace slag may be taken into account in the concrete ground granulated blast furnace slag shall be taken into account
8. of Concrete for composition with respect to the cement content and water- in the concrete composition with respect to the cement content
Different Exposures cement ratio if the suitability is established and as long as and water-cement ratio not exceeding the limit of fly ash and slag
with Normal Weight the maximum amounts taken into account do not exceed specified in IS 1489(Part I) and IS 455 respectively, beyond which
Aggregates of 20 the limit of pozzolona and slag specified in IS 1489 (Part I) these additions though permitted, shall not be considered for
mm Nominal and IS 455 respectively. these purposes.
Maximum Size
3. The minimum cement content, maximum free water-cement
NOTES to Table 5 –
9. Only 2 note items mentioned. ratio and minimum grade of concrete are individually related to
Note 3 added exposure.
 b) Use of low alkali ordinary Portland cement having total
alkali content not more than 0.6 percent (as Na2O b) Use of low alkali ordinary Portland cement having total alkali
equivalent). content not more than 0.6 percent (as Na2O equivalent).
Further advantage can be obtained by use of fly ash (Grade Further advantage can be obtained by use of flyash conforming to
8.2.5.4
1) conforming to IS 3812 or granulated blast furnace slag IS 3812 (Part I) or ground granulated blast furnace slag
10. Alkali-aggregate
conforming to IS 12089 as part replacement of ordinary conforming to IS 12089 as part replacement of ordinary Portland
reaction Portland cement (having total alkali content as Na2O cement (having total alkali content as Na2O equivalent not more
equivalent not more than 0.6 percent), provided fly ash than 0.6 percent), provided fly ash content is at least 25percent
content is at least 20 percent or slag content is at least 50 or slag content is at least 50 percent.
percent.
At sites where alkali concentrations are high or may become
very high, the ground water should be lowered by drainage
At sites where alkali concentrations are high or may become very
so that it will not come into direct contact with the
high, the ground water should be lowered by drainage so that it
8.2.6.2 concrete.
11. will not come into direct contact with the concrete.
Drainage Additional protection may be obtained by the use of
Additional protection may be obtained by the use of suitable
chemically resistant stone facing or a layer of plaster of Paris
impermeable barriers.
covered with suitable fabric, such as jute thoroughly
impregnated with bituminous material.
As the guarantor of quality of concrete used in the construction,
the constructor shall carry out the mix design and the mix so
designed (not the method of design) shall be approved by the
As the guarantor of quality of concrete used in the
employer within the limitations of parameters and other
construction, the constructor shall carry out the mix design
9.2 stipulations laid down by this standard. If so desired, the
and the mix so designed (not the method of design) shall be
12. Design Mix Concrete employer shall be provided with supporting data including graphs
approved by the employer within the limitations of
9.2.1 showing strength versus water cement ratio for range of
parameters and other stipulations laid down by this
proportions, complete trial mix proportioning details to
standard.
substantiate the choice of cement content, fine and coarse
aggregate content, water, mineral admixtures, chemical
admixtures etc.,
The mix shall be designed to produce the grade of concrete
The mix shall be designed to produce the grade of concrete
having the required workability and a characteristic strength not
having the required workability and a characteristic strength
less than appropriate values given in Table 2. Proportion/grading
not less than appropriate values given in Table 2. The target
13. 9.2.2 of aggregates shall be made by trial in such a way as to make
mean strength of concrete mix should be equal to the
densest possible concrete. The target mean strength of concrete
characteristic strength plus 1.65 times the standard
mix should be equal to the characteristic strength plus 1.65 times
deviation.
the standard deviation.
 In this amendment, M55
Table 8 and M60 has been added
14. Assumed Standard in the amended version to
Deviation the Grade of Concrete.
Also note 2 is added.

To avoid confusion and error in batching, consideration should be

To avoid confusion and error in batching, consideration given to using the smallest practical number of different concrete
should be given to using the smallest practical number of mixes on any site or in any one plant. In batching concrete, the
different concrete mixes on any site or in any one plant. In quantity of both cement and aggregate shall be determined by
batching concrete, the quantity of both cement and mass; admixture, if solid, by mass; liquid admixture may however
aggregate shall be determined by mass; admixture, if solid, be measured in volume or mass; water shall be weighed or
10.2 by mass; liquid admixture may however be measured in measured by volume in a calibrated tank (see also IS 4925).
15.
Batching volume or mass; water shall be weighed or measured by For large and medium project sites, the concrete shall be sourced
volume in a calibrated tank (see also IS 4925). Ready-mixed from Ready mixed concrete plants or from captive on site or off
concrete supplied by ready-mixed concrete plant shall be site automatic batching and mixing plants. The concrete
preferred. For large and medium project sites the concrete produced and supplied by ready-mixed concrete plants shall be in
shall be sourced from ready mixed concrete plants or from accordance with IS 4926. In case of concrete from captive on site
on site or off site batching and mixing plants (see IS 4926). or off site automatic batching and mixing plants, similar quality
control shall be followed.
Except where it can be shown to the satisfaction of the
engineer-in-charge that supply of properly graded aggregate
The grading of aggregate shall be controlled by obtaining the
of uniform quality can be maintained over a period of work,
coarse aggregate in different sizes and blending them in right
the grading of aggregate should be controlled by obtaining
proportions, the different sizes being stocked in separate stock
the coarse aggregate in different sizes and blending them in
piles. The material should be stock-piled for several hours
16. 10.2.1 the right proportions when required, the different sizes
preferably a day before use. The grading of coarse and fine
being stocked in separate stock-piles. The material should
aggregate should be checked as frequently as possible, the
be stock-piled for several hours preferably a day before use.
frequency for a given job being determined by the engineer-in
The grading of coarse and fine aggregate should be checked
charge to ensure that the specified grading is maintained.
as frequently as possible, the frequency for a given job
being determined by the engineer-in charge to ensure that
 the specified grading is maintained.
The accuracy of measuring equipment shall be within ±2 percent
of the quantity of cement and mineral admixtures being
measured and within ±3percent of the quantity of aggregate,
chemical admixtures and water being measured. In a batching
The accuracy of the measuring equipment shall be within +
plant, the concrete production equipment shall be calibrated
2 percent of the quantity of cement being measured and
17. 10.2.2 initially at the time of installation or reconditioning of the
within + 3 percent of the quantity of aggregate, admixtures
equipment and subsequently at the following intervals:
and water being measured.
a)Mechanical/knife edge systems : At least once every two
months
b)Electrical / load cell systems : At least once every three
months
Proportion/Type and grading of aggregates shall be made by
All ingredients of concrete shall be used by mass except water
18. 10.2.3 trial in such a way so as to obtain densest possible concrete.
and chemical admixtures which may be by volume.
All ingredients of the concrete should be used by mass only.
It is important to maintain the water-cement ratio constant at its
It is important to maintain the water-cement ratio constant
correct value. To this end, determination of moisture contents in
at its correct value. To this end, determination of moisture
both fine and coarse aggregates shall be made as frequently as
contents in both fine and coarse aggregates shall be made
possible, the frequency for a given job being determined by the
as frequently as possible, the frequency for a given job
engineer-in-charge according to weather conditions. The amount-
being determined by the engineer-in-charge according to
of the added water shall be adjusted to compensate for any
weather conditions. The amount-of the added water shall
observed variations in the moisture contents. For the
be adjusted to compensate for any observed variations in
determination of moisture content in the aggregates, IS 2386
19. 10.2.5 the moisture contents. For the determination of moisture
(Part 3) may be referred to. Where batching plants are used, it is
content in the aggregates, IS 2386 (Part 3) may be referred
recommended to determine moisture content by moisture
to. To allow for the variation in mass of aggregate due to
probes fitted to the batching plants. To allow for the variation in
variation in their moisture content, suitable adjustments in
mass of aggregate due to variation in their moisture content,
the masses of aggregates shall also be made. In the absence
suitable adjustments in the masses of aggregates shall also be
of -exact data, only in the case of nominal mixes, the
made. In the absence of -exact data, only in the case of nominal
amount of surface water may be estimated from the values
mixes, the amount of surface water may be estimated from the
given in Table 10.
values given in Table 10.
 Concrete shall be mixed in mechanical mixer (see also IS 1791 and
Concrete shall be mixed in a mechanical mixer. The mixer IS 12119). It shall be ensured that stationary or central mixers and
should comply with IS 1791 and IS 12119. The mixers shall truck mixers shall comply with the performance criteria of mixing
be fitted with water measuring (metering) devices. The efficiency as per IS 4634. Mixing efficiency test shall be performed
10.3
20. mixing shall be continued until there is a uniform at least once in a year. The mixers shall be fitted with water
Mixing distribution of the materials and the mass is uniform in measuring (metering) devices. The mixing shall be continued until
colour and consistency. If there is segregation after there is a uniform distribution of the materials and the mass is
unloading from the mixer, the concrete should be remixed. uniform in colour and consistency. If there is segregation after
unloading from the mixer, the concrete should be remixed.

As a guidance, the mixing time shall be at least 2min for

For guidance, the mixing time shall be at least 2 min. For
conventional free fall (drum) batch type concrete mixers. For
other types of more efficient mixers, manufacturers’
21. 10.3.1 other types of more efficient mixers, manufacturers’
recommendations shall be followed; for hydrophobic
recommendations shall be followed.
cement it may be decided by the engineer-in-charge.
Dosages of retarders, plasticisers and superplasticisers shall be
Dosages of retarders, plasticisers and superplasticisers shall restricted to 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 percent respectively by mass of
be restricted to 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 percent respectively by cementitious materials; however, the dosages of polycarboxylate
22. 10.3.3 weight of cementations’ materials and unless a higher value based admixtures shall not exceed 1.0percent. A higher value of
is agreed upon between the manufacturer and the above admixtures may be used, if agreed upon between the
constructor based on performance test. manufacturer and the constructor based on performance test
relating to workability, setting time and early age strength.

In this amendment, The

11.1
23. tolerances on shapes, lines
General and dimensions are revised.
 Joints are a common source of weakness and, therefore, it is
Joints are a common source of weakness and, therefore, it is
desirable to avoid them. If this is not possible, their number
13.4 desirable to avoid them. If this is not possible, their number shall
shall be minimized. Concreting shall be carried out
24. Construction Joints be minimized. Concreting shall be carried out continuously up to
continuously up to construction joints, the position and
and Cold Joints construction joints, the position and arrangement of which shall
arrangement of which shall be indicated by the designer.
be indicated by the designer.
Construction joints should comply with IS 11817.

In this amendment, The

characteristic compressive
strength compliance
25. Table 11 requirements are revised. In
the revision it is same for
M15 and above grades. Note
2 is added.

In some cases the support moments calculated from Table 26 for

24.4.1 In some cases the support moments calculated from Table
adjacent panels may differ significantly. The following procedure
26 for adjacent panels may differ significantly. The following
Restrained Slab with may be adopted to adjust them.
26. procedure may be adopted to adjust them.
Unequal Conditions a) Calculate the sum of the midspan moments and the
a) Calculate the sum of moments at midspan and
at Adjacent Panels average of the support moments (neglecting signs) for
supports (neglecting signs).
each panel.
26.2.1
3) For plain cement concrete of M15grade with nominal
Development Length
27. Only 2 Note items mentioned. reinforcement, the design bond stress may be taken as 1.0
of Bars - NOTES – N/mm2.
Note 3 added
26.2.1.1 For deformed bars conforming to IS 1786 these values shall be
Design bond stress For deformed bars conforming to IS 1786 these values shall increased by 60 percent. For bars in compression, the values of
in limit state method be increased by 60 percent. For bars in compression, the bond stress for bars in tension shall be increased-by 25 percent.
28.
for plain bars in values of bond stress for bars in tension shall be increased- For fusion bonded epoxy coated deformed bars, design bond
tension shall be as by 25 percent. stress values shall be taken as 80 percent of the values given in
below: the above table.
 The surface width of the cracks should not, in general,
The surface width of the cracks should not, in general, exceed 0.3
exceed 0.3 mm in members where cracking is not harmful
mm in members where cracking is not harmful and does not have
and does not have any serious adverse effects upon the
any serious adverse effects upon the preservation of reinforcing
preservation of reinforcing steel nor upon the durability of
steel nor upon the durability of the structures. In members where
the structures. In members where cracking in the tensile
cracking in the tensile zone is harmful either because they are
35.3.2 zone is harmful either because they are exposed to the
29. exposed to the effects of the weather or continuously exposed to
Cracking – 3rd para effects of the weather or continuously exposed to moisture
moisture or in contact soil or ground water, an upper limit of 0.2
or in contact soil or ground water, an upper limit of 0.2 mm
mm is suggested for the maximum width of cracks. For
is suggested for the maximum width of cracks. For
particularly aggressive environment, such as ‘very severe’ and
particularly aggressive environment, such as the ‘severe’
‘extreme’ categories given in Table 3, the assessed surface width
category in Table 3, the assessed surface width of cracks
of cracks should not in general, exceed 0.1 mm.
should not in general, exceed 0.1 mm.
40.5.2
If shear reinforcement is required, the total area of this is If shear reinforcement is required, the total area of this is given
Shear Reinforcement
30. given by: by:
for Sections Close to As = a b(Ԏ -2dԎ /a )/0.87f ≥0.4 a b/0.87f ΣASV = avb(Ԏv-2dԎc/aV)/0.87fy ≥0.4 avb/0.87fy
v v c V y v y
supports
B-2.1.1 For M50, Tensile stress – 5.2
31. For M50 and above, Tensile stress – 5.2
Direct Tension For M55, Tensile stress – 5.6

In this amendment, The

change to the table is
a)Substituting the entries
32. Table 21
against M55
b)Insertion of a new row for
M60
 E-l : In the absence of more exact analysis, the effective
E-l : In the absence of more exact analysis, the effective length of
length of columns in framed structures may be obtained
ANNEX E (Clause columns in framed structures may be obtained from the ratio of
from the ratio of effective length to unsupported length lef/l
effective length to unsupported length lef/l given in Fig. 26 when
25.2) EFFECTIVE given in Fig. 26 when relative displacement of the ends of
33. relative displacement of the ends of the column is prevented and
LENGTH OF the column is prevented and in Fig. 26 when relative lateral
in Fig. 27 when relative lateral displacement of the -ends is not
COLUMNS displacement of the -ends is not prevented. In the latter
prevented. In the latter case, it is recommended that the
case, it is recommended that the effective length ratio Ief /l
effective length ratio Ief /l may not be taken to be less than 1.2.
may not be taken to be less than 1.2.