Type of Form work Minimum period Minimum period Minimum period

Before Striking Before Striking Before Striking

Form work for Form work for OPC Form work for
OPC 33 grade 43 grade PPC
(b) Soffit form work to slabs (Props to 3 days 3 days 4 days
be refixed immediately after
removal of formwork)
(c) Soffit form work to beams (Props 7 days 7 days 10 days
to be refixed immediately after
removal of formwork
(d) Props to slabs:
(1) Spanning upto 4.5m 7 days 7 days 10 days
(2) Spanning over 4.5m 14 days 14 days 20 days
(e) Props to beams and arches:
(1) Spanning upto 6m 14 days 14 days 20 days
(2) Spanning over 6m 21 days 21 days 30 days

Note 1: For other types of cement, the stripping time recommended for ordinary Portland cement may
be suitably modified. Generally If Portland pozzolana or low heat cement or OPC with direct
addition of fly ash has been used for concrete, the stripping time will be 10/7 of the period
stated for OPC with 43 grade cement above.

Note 2: The number of props left under, their sizes and disposition shall be such as to be able to
safely carry the full dead load of the slabs, beam or arch as the case may be together with
any live load likely to occur during curing or further construction.

Note 3: For rapid hardening cement, 3/7 of above periods for OPC 33 grade will be sufficient in all
cases except for vertical side of slabs, beams and columns which should be retained for at
least 24 hours.

Note 4: In case of cantilever slabs and beams, the centering shall remain till structures for counter
acting or bearing down have been erected and have attained sufficient strength.

Note 5: Proper precautions should be taken to allow for the decrease in the rate of hardening that
occurs with all types of cement in cold weather and accordingly stripping time shall be
increased.

Note 6: Work damaged through premature or careless removal of forms shall be reconstructed within
24 hrs.

5.2.4 Surface Treatment

5.2.4.1 Oiling the Surface : Shuttering gives much longer service life if the surfaces are coated with
suitable mould oil which acts both as a parting agent and also gives surface protections.

A typical mould oil is heavy mineral oil or purified cylinder oil containing not less than 5%
pentachlorophenol conforming to IS 716 well mixed to a viscosity of 70-80 centipoises.

After 3-4 uses and also in cases when shuttering has been stored for a long time, it should be
recoated with mould oil before the next use.

129 SUB HEAD 5.0 : REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE WORK

 The second categories of shuttering oils / leavening agents are Polymer based water soluble
Compounds. They are available as concentrates and when used diluted with water in the ratio of 1:20 or
as per manufacturer specifications. The diluted solution is applied by brush applications on the
shuttering both of steel as well as ply wood. The solution is applied after every use.

5.2.4.2 The design of form work shall conform to sound Engineering practices and relevant IS codes.

5.2.5 Inspection of Form Work

The completed form work shall be inspected and approved by the Engineer-in-Charge before the
reinforcement bars are placed in position.

Proper form work should be adopted for concreting so as to avoid honey combing, blow holes, grout
loss, stains or discoloration of concrete etc. Proper and accurate alignment and profile of finished
concrete surface will be ensured by proper designing and erection of form work which will be approved
by Engineer-in-Charge.

Shuttering surface before concreting should be free from any defect/ deposits and full cleaned so as
to give perfectly straight smooth concrete surface. Shuttering surface should be therefore checked for
any damage to its surface and excessive roughness before use.

5.2.5.1 Erection of Form Work (Centering and shuttering): Following points shall be borne in mind
while checking during erection.
(a) Any member which is to remain in position after the general dismantling is done, should be
clearly marked.

(b) Material used should be checked to ensure that, wrong items/ rejects are not used.

(c) If there are any excavations nearby which may influence the safety of form works, corrective and
strengthening action must be taken.

(d) (i) The bearing soil must be sound and well prepared and the sole plates shall bear well on the
ground.
(ii) Sole plates shall be properly seated on their bearing pads or sleepers.
(iii) The bearing plates of steel props shall not be distorted.
(iv) The steel parts on the bearing members shall have adequate bearing areas.

(e) Safety measures to prevent impact of traffic, scour due to water etc. should be taken. Adequate
precautionary measures shall be taken to prevent accidental impacts etc.

(f) Bracing, struts and ties shall be installed along with the progress of form work to ensure strength
and stability of form work at intermediate stage. Steel sections (especially deep sections) shall be
adequately restrained against tilting, over turning and form work should be restrained against
horizontal loads. All the securing devices and bracing shall be tightened.

(g) The stacked materials shall be placed as catered for, in the design.

(h) When adjustable steel props are used. They should:

1. be undamaged and not visibly bent.
2. have the steel pins provided by the manufacturers for use.
3. be restrained laterally near each end.
4. have means for centralizing beams placed in the forkheads.

(i) Screw adjustment of adjustable props shall not be over extended.

CPWD SPECIFICATIONS 2009 130

 (j) Double wedges shall be provided for adjustment of the form to the required position wherever
any settlement/ elastic shorting of props occurs. Wedges should be used only at the bottom end
of single prop. Wedges should not be too steep and one of the pair should be tightened/ clamped
down after adjustment to prevent shifting.

(k) No member shall be eccentric upon vertical member.

(l) The number of nuts and bolts shall be adequate.

(m) All provisions of the design and/or drawings shall be complied with.

(n) Cantilever supports shall be adequate.

(o) Props shall be directly under one another in multistage constructions as far as possible.

(p) Guy ropes or stays shall be tensioned properly.

(q) There shall be adequate provision for the movements and operation of vibrators and other
construction plant and equipment.

(r) Required camber shall be provided over long spans.

(s) Supports shall be adequate, and in plumb within the specified tolerances.

5.2.6 Measurements

5.2.6.1 General : The form work shall include the following:

(a) Splayed edges, notching, allowance for overlaps and passing at angles, sheathing battens,
strutting, bolting, nailing, wedging, easing, striking and removal.

(b) All supports, struts, braces, wedges as well as mud sills, piles or other suitable arrangements to
support the form work.

(c) Bolts, wire, ties, clamps, spreaders, nails or any other items to hold the sheathing together.

(d) Working scaffolds, ladders, gangways, and similar items.

(e) Filleting to form stop chamfered edges of splayed external angles not exceeding 20mm wide to
beams, columns and the like.

(f) Where required, the temporary openings provided in the forms for pouring concrete, inserting
vibrators, and cleaning holes for removing rubbish from the interior of the sheathing before
pouring concrete.

(g) Dressing with oil to prevent adhesion and

(h) Raking or circular cutting

5.2.6.2 Classification of Measurements : Where it is stipulated that the form work shall be paid for
separately, measurements shall be taken of the area of shuttering in contact with the concrete surface.
Dimensions of the form work shall be measured correct to a cm. The measurements shall be taken
separately for the following.
(a) Foundations, footings, bases of columns etc. and for mass concrete

131 SUB HEAD 5.0 : REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE WORK

 (b) Walls (any thickness) including attached pilasters, buttresses, plinth and string courses etc.

(c) Suspended floors, roofs, landings, shelves and their supports and balconies.

(d) Lintels, beams, plinth beams, girders, bressummers and cantilevers.

(e) Columns, pillars, piers, abutments posts and struts.

(f) Stairs (excluding landings) except spiral staircase.

(g) Spiral staircases (including landings).

(h) Arches,Domes, vaults, shells roofs, arch ribs, curvilinear shaped folded plates

(i) Extra for arches, domes, vaults exceeding 6 m span other than curvilinear shaped

(j) Chimneys and shafts.

(k) Well steining.

(l) Vertical and horizontal fins individually or forming box, louvers and bands.facias and eaves board

(m) Waffle or ribbed slabs.

(n) Edges of slabs and breaks in floors and walls (to be measured in running metres where below
200 mm in width or thickness).

(o) Cornices and mouldings.

(p) Small surfaces, such as cantilevers ends, brackets and ends of steps, caps and boxes to
pilasters and columns and the like.

(q) Chullah hoods, weather shades, chajjas, corbels etc. including edges and

(r) Elevated water reservoirs.

5.2.6.3 Centering, and shuttering where exceeding 3.5 metre height in one floor shall be measured and
paid for separately.

5.2.6.4 Where it is not specifically stated in the description of the item that form work shall be paid for
separately, the rate of the RCC item shall be deemed to include the cost of form work.

5.2.6.5 No deductions from the shuttering due to the openings/ obstructions shall be made if the area of
each openings/ obstructions does not exceed 0.4 square metre. Nothing extra shall be paid for forming
such openings.

5.2.6.6 Form work of elements measured under categories of arches, arch ribs, domes, spiral staircases,
well steining, shell roofs, curvilinear folded plates & curvilinear eaves board, circular shafts & chimneys
shall not qualify for extra rate for circular work.

5.2.6.7 Extra for circular work shall be admissible for surfaces circular or curvilinear in plan or in
elevation beyond the straight edge of supporting beam in respective mode of measurement. However,
there may be many different types of such structures. In such cases, extra payment shall be made
judiciously after deducting areas where shuttering for circular form work is not involved.

5.2.7 Rate
The rate of the form work includes the cost of labour and materials required for all the operations
described above.

CPWD SPECIFICATIONS 2009 132

5.3 REINFORCEMENTS
5.3.1 General Requirements
Steel conforming to para 5.1.3 for reinforcement shall be clear and free from loose mill scales, dust,
loose rust, coats of paints, oil or other coating which may destroy or reduce bond. It shall be stored in
such a way as to avoid distortion and to prevent deterioration and corrosion. Prior to assembly of
reinforcement on no account any oily substance shall be used for removing the rust.

5.3.1.1 Assembly of Reinforcement : Bars shall be bent correctly and accurately to the size and shape
as shown in the detailed drawing or as directed by Engineer-in-Charge. Preferably bars of full length
shall be used. Necessary cutting and straightening is also included. Overlapping of bars, where
necessary shall be done as directed by the Engineer-in-Charge. The overlapping bars shall not touch
each other and these shall be kept apart with concrete between them by 25mm or 11/4 times the
maximum size of the coarse aggregate whichever is greater. But where this is not possible, the
overlapping bars shall be bound together at intervals not exceeding twice the dia. of such bars with two
strands annealed steel wire of 0.90 mm to 1.6 mm twisted tight. The overlaps/ splices shall be staggered
as per directions of the Engineer-in-Charge. But in no case the overlapping shall be provided in more
than 50% of cross sectional area at one section.

5.3.1.2 Bonds and Hooks Forming End Anchorages: Reinforcement shall be bent and fixed in
accordance with procedure specified in IS 2502, code of practice of bending and fixing of bars for
concrete reinforcement. The details of bends and hooks are shown below for guidance.
(a) U-Type Hook
In case of mild steel plain bars standard U type hook shall be provided by bending ends of rod
into semicircular hooks having clear diameter equal to four times the diameter of the bar.
Note: In case of work in seismic zone, the size of hooks at the end of the rod shall be eight
times the diameter of bar or as given in the structural drawings.

(b) Bends
Bend forming anchorage to a M.S. plain bar shall be bent with and internal radius equal to two
times the diameter of the bar with a minimum length beyond the bend equal to four times the
diameter of the bar.

5.3.1.3 Anchoring Bars in Tension : Deformed bars may be used without end anchorages provided,
development length equipment is satisfied. Hooks should normally be provided for plain bars in tension.
Development length of bars will be determined as per IS: 456.

5.3.1.4 Anchoring Bars in Compression : The anchorage length of straight bar in compression shall
be equal to the ‘Development length’ of bars in compression as specified in IS: 456. The projected
length of hooks, bend and straight lengths beyond bend, if provided for a bar in compression, shall be
considered for development length.

5.3.1.5 Binders, stirrups, links etc. : In case of binders, stirrups, links etc. the straight portion beyond
the curve at the end shall be not less than eight times and nominal size of bar.

5.3.2 Welding of Bars

Wherever facility for electric arc welding or gas pressure welding is available, welding of bars shall
be done in lieu of overlap. The location and type of welding shall be got approved by the Engineer-in-
Charge. Welding shall be as per IS 2751 and 9417.

5.3.3 Placing in Position

5.3.3.1 Fabricated reinforcement bars shall be placed in position as shown in the drawings or as directed
by the Engineer-in-charge. The bars crossing one another shall be tied together at every intersection
with two strands of annealed steel wire 0.9 to 1.6 mm thickness twisted tight to make the skeleton of the
steel work rigid so that the reinforcement does not get displaced during deposition of concrete.

133 SUB HEAD 5.0 : REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE WORK

 Tack welding in crossing bars shall also be permitted in lieu of binding with steel wire if approved by
Engineer-in-Charge.

5.3.3.2 The bars shall be kept in correct position by the following methods:
(a) In case of beam and slab construction pre-cast cover blocks in cement mortar 1:2 (1 cement : 2
coarse sand) about 4x4 cm section and of thickness equal to the specified cover shall be placed
between the bars and shuttering, so as to secure and maintain the requisite cover of concrete
over reinforcements.
(b) In case of cantilevered and doubly reinforced beams of slabs, the vertical distance between the
horizontal bars shall be maintained by introducing chairs, spacers or support bars of steel at 1.0
mere or at shorter spacing to avoid sagging.
(c) In case of columns and walls, the vertical bars shall be kept in position by means of timber
templates with slots accurately cut in them: or with clock of cement mortar 1:2 (1 cement: 2
coarse sand) of required size suitable tied to the reinforcement to ensure that they are in correct
position during concreting.
(d) In case of other R.C.C. structure such as arches, domes, shells, storage tanks etc. a combination
of cover blocks, spacers and templates shall be used as directed by Engineer-in-Charge.

5.3.3.3 Tolerance on Placing of Reinforcement : Unless otherwise specified by the Engineer-in-

Charge, reinforcement shall be placed within the following tolerances:

Tolerance in spacing
(a) For effective depth, 200 mm or less +10 mm
(b) For effective depth, more than 200 mm + 15 mm

5.3.3.4 Bending at Construction Joints : Where reinforcement bars are bent aside at construction
joints and afterwards bent back into their original position care should be taken to ensure that at no time
the radius of the bend is less than 4 bar diameters for plain mild steel or 6 bar diameter for deformed
bars. Care shall also be taken when bending back bars to ensure that the concrete around the bar is not
damaged.

5.3.3.5 Cover : The minimum nominal cover to meet durability requirements shall be as under:-

Exposure Nominal Concrete cover in mm not less than

Mild 20
Moderate 30
Severe 45
Very severe 50
Extreme 75

Notes : 1. For main reinforcement upto 12 mm diameter bar for mild exposure the nominal cover
may be reduced by 5 mm.

2. Unless specified otherwise, actual concrete cover should not deviate from the required
nominal cover by + 10 mm.

3. For exposure condition ‘severe’ and ‘very severe’ reduction of 5 mm may be made, where
concrete grade is M35 and above.

4. Nominal cover to meet specified period of fire resistance shall not be less than as given
in Table 16A of IS 456.

CPWD SPECIFICATIONS 2009 134

5.3.4 Measurement
Reinforcement including authorized spacer bars and lappages shall be measured in length of
different diametre, as actually (not more than as specified in the drgs.) used in the work nearest to a
centimetre and their weight calculated on the basis of standard weight given in Table 5.4 below. In case
actual unit weight of the bars is less than standard unit weight, but within variation, in such cases weight
of reinforcement shall be calculated on the basis of actual unit weight. Wastage and unauthorized
overlaps shall not be paid for. Annealed steel wire required for binding or tack welding shall not be
measured, its cost being included in the rate of reinforcement.

Where tack welding is used in lieu of binding, such welds shall not be measured. Chairs separators
etc. shall be provided as directed by the Engineer-in-Charge and measured separately and paid for.

TABLE 5.4
Cross Sections Area and Mass of Steel Bar

Nominal Size mm Cross sectional Area Sq.mm Mass per metre Run Kg.
6 28.3 0.222
8 50.3 0.395
10 78.6 0.617
12 113.1 0.888
16 201.2 1.58
20 314.3 2.47
25 491.1 3.85
28 615.8 4.83
32 804.6 6.31
36 1018.3 7.99
40 1257.2 9.86

Note: These are as per clause 6.2 of IS 1786.

5.3.5 Rate
The rate for reinforcement shall include the cost of labour and materials required for all operations
described above such as cleaning of reinforcement bars, straightening, cutting, hooking bending,
binding, placing in position etc. as required or directed including tack welding on crossing of bars in lieu
of binding with wires.

5.4 CONCRETING
5.4.0 The concrete shall be as specified under chapter 4 concrete work. The proportion by volume or by
the weight of ingredients shall be as specified.

5.4.1 Consistency
The concrete which will flow sluggishly into the forms and around the reinforcement without any
segregation of coarse aggregate from the mortar shall be used. The consistency shall depend on
whether the concrete is vibrated on or hand tamped, it shall be determined by slump test as prescribed
in sub-head “concrete” under workability – requirement.

5.4.2 Placing of Concrete

5.4.2.1 Concreting shall be commenced only after Engineer-in-Charge has inspected the centering,
shuttering and reinforcement as placed and passed the same. Shuttering shall be clean and free from all
shavings, saw dust, pieces of wood, or other foreign material and surfaces shall be treated as prescribed
in 5.2.4.

135 SUB HEAD 5.0 : REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE WORK

5.4.2.2 In case of concreting of slab and beams, wooden plank or cat walks of chequerred MS plated or
bamboo chalies or any other suitable material supported directly on the centering by means of wooden
blocks or lugs shall be provided to convey the concrete to the place of deposition without disturbing the
reinforcement in any way. Labour shall not be allowed to walk over the reinforcement.

5.4.2.3 In case of columns and wall, it is desirable to place concrete without construction joints. The
progress of concreting in the vertical direction, shall be restricted to one metre per hour.

5.4.2.4 The concrete shall be deposited in its final position in a manner to preclude segregation of
ingredients. In deep trenches and footings concrete shall be placed through chutes or as directed by the
Engineer-in-Charge. In case of columns and walls, the shuttering shall be so adjusted that the vertical
drop of concrete is not more than 1.5 metres at a time.

5.4.2.5 During cold weather, concreting shall not be done when the temperature falls below 4.50C. The
concrete placed shall be protected against frost by suitable covering. Concrete damaged by frost shall
be removed and work redone.

5.4.2.6 During hot weather precaution shall be taken to see that the temperature of wet concrete does
not exceed 38ºC. No concrete shall be laid within half an hour of the closing time of the day, unless
permitted by the Engineer-in-Charge.

5.4.2.7 It is necessary that the time between mixing and placing of concrete shall not exceed 30 minutes
so that the initial setting process is not interfered with.

5.4.3 Compaction
It shall be as specified in sub-head of Concrete Work of this specification.

5.4.3.1 Concrete shall be compacted into dense mass immediately after placing by means of mechanical
vibrators designed for continuous operations complying with IS 2505, IS 2506, IS 2514 and IS 4656. The
Engineer-in-Charge may however relax this condition at his discretion for certain items depending on the
thickness of the members and feasibility of vibrating the same and permit hand compaction instead.
Hand compaction shall be done with the help of tamping rods so that concrete is thoroughly compacted
and completely worked around the reinforcement, embedded fixtures, and into corners of the form. The
layers of concrete shall be so placed that the bottom layer does not finally set before the top layer is
placed. The vibrators shall maintain the whole of concrete under treatment in an adequate state of
agitation; such that de-aeration and effective compaction is attained at a rate commensurate with the
supply of concrete from the mixers. The vibration shall continue during the whole period occupied by
placing of concrete, the vibrators being adjusted so that the centre of vibrations approximates to the
centre of the mass being compacted at the time of placing.

5.4.3.2 Concrete shall be judged to be properly compacted, when the mortar fills the spaces between
the coarse aggregate and begins to cream up to form an even surface. When this condition has been
attained, the vibrator shall be stopped in case of vibrating tables and external vibrators. Needle vibrators
shall be withdrawn slowly so as to prevent formation of loose pockets in case of internal vibration. In
case both internal and external vibrators are being used, the internal vibrator shall be first withdrawn
slowly after which the external vibrators shall be stopped so that no loose pocket is left in the body of the
concrete. The specific instructions of the makers of the particular type of vibrator used shall be strictly
complied with. Shaking of reinforcement for the purpose of compaction should be avoided. Compaction shall
be completed before the initial setting starts, i.e. with 30 minutes of addition of water to the dry mixture.

5.4.4 Construction joints

5.4.4.1 Concreting shall be carried out continuously upto the construction joints, the position and details
of which shall be as shown in structural drawing or as indicated in Fig. 5.26 or as directed by Engineer-

CPWD SPECIFICATIONS 2009 136

in-Charge. Number of such joints shall be kept to minimum. The joints shall be kept at places where the
shear force is the minimum. These shall be straight and shall be at right angles to the direction of main
reinforcement. Construction joints should comply with IS 11817.

5.4.4.2 In case of columns the joints shall be horizontal and 10 to 15 cm below the bottom of the beam
running into the column head. The portion of the column between the stepping off level and the top of
the slab shall be concreted with the beam.

5.4.4.3 When stopping the concrete on a vertical plane in slabs and beams, and approved stop board
(see Fig. 26C) shall be placed with necessary slots for reinforcement bars or any other obstruction to
pass the bars freely without bending. The construction joints shall be keyed by providing a triangular or
trapezoidal fillet nailed on the stopboard. Inclined or feather joints shall not be permitted. Any concrete
flowing through the joints of stopboard shall be removed soon after the initial set. When concrete is
stopped on a horizontal plane, the surface shall be roughened and cleaned after the initial set.

5.4.4.4 When the work has to be resumed, the joint shall be thoroughly cleaned with wire brush and
loose particles removed. A coat of neat cement slurry at the rate of 2.75 kg of cement per square metre
shall then be applied on the roughened surface before fresh concrete is laid.

5.4.5 Expansion Joints

Expansion joints shall be provided as shown in the structural drawings or as indicated in Fig. 5.10 to
5.25 or as directed by Engineer-in-Charge, for the purpose of general guidance. However it is
recommended that structures exceeding 45 m in length shall be divided by one or more expansion
joints. The filling of these joints with bitumen filler, bitumen felt or any such material and provision of
copper plate, etc. shall be paid for separately in running metre. The measurement shall be taken two
places of decimal stating the depth and width of joint.

5.4.6 Curing
After the concrete has begun to harden i.e. about 1 to 2 hours after its laying, it shall be protected
from quick drying by covering with moist gunny bags, sand, canvass Hessian or any other material
approved by the Engineer-in-Charge. After 24 hours of laying of concrete, the surface shall be cured by
ponding with water for a minimum period of 7 days from the date of placing of concrete in case of OPC
and at least 10 days where mineral admixtures or blended cements are used. The period of curing shall
not be less than 10 days for concrete exposed to dry and hot weather condition.

5.4.7 Finishing
5.4.7.1 In case of roof slabs the top surface shall be finished even and smooth with wooden trowel,
before the concrete begins to set. Sprinkling of dry cement while finishing shall not be resorted to.

5.4.7.2 Immediately on removal of forms, the R.C.C. work shall be examined by the Engineer-in-Charge,
before any defects are made good.
(a) The work that has sagged or contains honey combing to an extent detrimental to structural safety
or architectural concept shall be rejected as given in para 5.4.9.4 for visual inspection test.

(b) Surface defects of minor nature may be accepted. On acceptance of such a work by the
Engineer-in-Charge, the same shall be rectified as follows:
1. Surface defects which require repair when forms are removed, usually consist of bulged due
to movement of forms, ridges at form joints, honey-combed areas, damage resulting from the
stripping of forms and bolt holes, bulges and ridges are removed by careful chipping or
tooling and the surface is then rubbed with a grinding stone. Honey-combed and other
defective areas must be chipped out, the edges being cut as straight as possible and
perpendicularly to the surface, or preferably slightly under cut to provide a key at the edge of
the patch.

137 SUB HEAD 5.0 : REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE WORK

 2. Shallow patches are first treated with a coat of thin grout composed of one part of cement
and one part of fine sand and then filled with mortar similar to that used in the concrete. The
mortar is placed in layers not more than 10mm thick and each layer is given a scratch finish
to secure bond with the succeeding layer. The last layer is finished to match the surrounding
concrete by floating, rubbing or tooling on formed surfaces by pressing the form material
against the patch while the mortar is still plastic.

3. Large and deep patches require filling up with concrete held in place by forms. Such patches
are reinforced and carefully dowelled to the hardened concrete.

4. Holes left by bolts are filled with mortar carefully packed into places in small amounts. The
mortar is mixed as dry as possible, with just enough water so that it will be tightly compacted
when forced into place.

5. Tiered holes extending right through the concrete may be filled with mortar with a pressure
gun similar to the gun used for greasing motor cars.

6. Normally, patches appear darker than the surrounding concrete, possibly owing to the
presence on their surface of less cement laitance. Where uniform surface colour is important,
this defect shall be remedied by adding 10 to 20 percent of white Portland cement to the
patching mortar, the exact quantity being determined by trial.

7. The same amount of care to cure the materials in the patches should be taken as with the
whole structure. Curing must be started as soon as possible, after the patch is finished to
prevent early drying. Damp Hessian may be used but in some locations it may be difficult to
hold it in place. A membrane curing compound in these cases will be most convenient.

(c) The exposed surface of R.C.C. work shall be plastered with cement mortar 1:3 (1 cement : 3 fine
sand) of thickness not exceeding 6 mm to give smooth and even surface true to line and form.
Any RCC surface which remains permanently exposed to view in the completed structure, shall
be considered exposed surfaced for the purpose of this specification.

Where such exposed surface exceeding 0.5 sqm in each location is not plastered with cement
mortar 1:3 (1 cement : 3 fine sand) 6 mm thick, necessary deduction shall be made for plastering
not done.

(d) The surface which is to receive plaster or where it is to be joined with brick masonry wall, shall
be properly roughened immediately after the shuttering is removed, taking care to remove the
laitance completely without disturbing the concrete. The roughening shall be done by hacking.
Before the surface is plastered, it shall be cleaned and wetted so as to give bond between
concrete and plaster.

RCC work shall be done carefully so that the thickness of plaster required for finishing the
surface is not more than 6 mm.

(e) The surface of RCC slab on which the cement concrete or mosaic floor is to be laid shall be
roughened with brushes while the concrete is green. This shall be done without disturbing the
concrete.

5.4.8 Strength of Concrete

The compressive strength on the work tests for different mixed shall be as given in Table 5.5 below:-

CPWD SPECIFICATIONS 2009 138