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“The Right to Information, The Right to Live” “Step Out From the Old to the New”

IS 2541 (1991): Code of practice for preparation and use of

lime concrete [CED 4: Building Limes and Gypsum Products]

“!ान $ एक न' भारत का +नम-ण”

Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda
“Invent a New India Using Knowledge”

“!ान एक ऐसा खजाना > जो कभी च0राया नहB जा सकता ह”

है”
ह
Bhartṛhari—Nītiśatakam
“Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen”
 /

IS 2541 :199-i
( Reaffirmed 2000 )
srTT?h 'qT;r;i;

( $FTiT ‘s;rfmT)

Indian Standard
PREPARATIONANDUSEOFLIME
CONCRETE- CODEOFPRACTICE
( Second Revision )

UDC ‘666’972 : 006’76

0 BIS 1991

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

December 1991 Price Group 4

Building Lime and Lime Products Sectional Committee, CED 4

FOREWORD

This Indian Standard ( Second Revision > was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after
the draft finalized by the Building Lime and Lime Products Sectional Committee had been approved
by the Civil Engineering Division Council.

Lime concrete, in spite of its low strength, may be used in several situations in construction, such
as in well foundations for moderately tall buildings, under floor finishes, for filling haunches over
masonry arch work and for roof terracing work. This standard is intended to provide guidance
with respect to preparation and use of lime concrete on the basis of existing knowledge and
experience.

Lime concrete is found to have many desirable properties and advantages for use in construction.
Properly prepared, compacted and laid, lime concrete is durable under normal exposures. Lime
concrete possesses considerable resistance to sulphate attack, and can be used in foundations and
areas in which soil contain considerable quantities of soluble sulphate or where sub-soil water
table is high. The effect of temperature fluctuations on the volume change is negligible in lime
concrete, compared to that of moisture variations. It also undergoes negligible volume change
after setting and initial shrinkage.

In view of a comprehensive Indian Standard being available on lime concrete for waterproofing
treatment [ see IS 3036 : 1980 ‘Code of practice for laying lime concrete for a waterproofed roof
finish (first revisions )’ I, this information has not been covered in this standard.

This standard was first published in 1965 and subsequently revised in 1974. Since publication of
the first revision of this standard, most of the referred standards have been revised and, as such
it was felt necessary to revise this standard so as to update all the references for the convenience
of the users. In this revision the general requirements regarding laying of concrete have also been
modified.

For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with
the final value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded
off in accordance with IS 2 : 1960 ‘Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised )‘. The number
of significant places retained in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified
value in this standard.
 AMENDMENT NO. 3 JULY 2011
TO
IS 2541 : 1991 PREPARATION AND USE OF LIME CONCRETE — CODE OF
PRACTICE
( Second Revision )

(Page 1, clause 4.2) — Substitute the following for the existing:

‘Ordinary Portland cement shall conform to the 33/43/53 Grade as specified in IS 269 : 1989, IS 8112 :
1989, and IS 12269 : 1987 respectively.’

(Page 1, clause 4.3.2) — Substitute the following for the existing:

‘Pulverized fuel ash shall conform to IS 15648 : 2006.’

(Page 1, clause 4.5.3) — Substitute the following for the existing entry:

‘Pulverized fuel ash shall conform to IS 15648 : 2006.’

(Page 4, Annex A) — Substitute the following for the existing:

‘1635 : 1992 Field slaking of building lime and preparation of putty — Code of practice (second revision)’

(Page 4, Annex A) — Delete ‘3812 : 1981’ along with its title.

(Page 4, Annex A) — Substitute the following for the existing entry:

‘5817 : 1992 Preparation and use of lime-pozzolana mixture concrete in buildings and roads — Code of
practice (first revision)’

(Page 4, Annex A) — Insert the following at the end:

‘8112 : 1989 43 Grade ordinary Portland cement — Specification (first revision)

12269 : 1987 53 Grade ordinary Portland cement — Specification
15648 : 2006 Pulverized fuel ash for lime pozzolana mixture application’

(CED 4)

Reprography Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India

 IS 2541 : 1991

Indian Standard
PREPARATIONANDUSEOFLIME
CONCRETE- CODEOF PRACTICE
(Second Revision )
1 SCOPE 4.5.3 Fly ash shall conform to IS 3512 : 1981.

This standard covers the preparation and use 4.6 Water

of lime concrete and includes requirements for
materials, method of preparation, laying and Water used for, both mixing and curing lime
finishing of concrete for different purposes. concrete, shall be clean and free from injurious
amount of deleterious matter. Sea water shall
NOTE - Lime pozzolana mixture concrete have not be used. Portable water is generally
been excluded from the review of this standard as considered satisfactory for mixing and curing
it is covered in IS 5817 : 1970. lime concrete.
2 REFERENCES 5 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
The Indian Standards listed in Annex A are 5.1 General
necessary adjunct to this standard.
Lime concrete may be used generally for the
3 TERMINOLOGY following situations:
For the purpose of this standard, the definitions a) As a levelling course for foundations and
of the terms given in IS 6508 : 1988 shall apply. for plain concrete footings for masonry
walls and columns,
4 MATERIALS b) Ordinary base concrete under floors,
and
4.1 Lime
c) For filling haunches over masonry arch
Lime for use in lime concrete shall conform to work.
IS 712 : 1984.
5.2 For satisfactory use selection of proper
4.2 Cement lime concrete mix, the following information
will be necessary:
Cement shall conform to the requirements of 33
grade ordinary Portland cement specified in a) Lime Concrete in Foundations - Moisture
IS 269 : 1989. condition of the sub-grade, sub-soil
water level and foundation loads.
4.3 Pozzolaoic Materials
b) Lime Concrete Under Floor Finishes -
4.3.1 Burnt clay pozzolana shall conform to Moisture condition of the sub-grade, sub-
IS 1344 : 1981. soil water level, type of floor finish and
floor loads.
4.3.2 Fly ash shall conform to IS 3812 : 1981.
5.3 Mix Proportions
4.4 Coarse Aggregates
Guidance about mix proportions for different
Coarse aggregate for use in lime concrete shall purposes is given in Table 1.
be either natural stone aggregate conforming
to IS 383 : 1970 or broken brick ( burnt clay ) 5.4 Workability
aggregate conforming to IS 3068 : 1986 or
cinder aggregate conforming to IS 2686 : 1977 Because of very good water retention properties
depending upon the situation of use of lime mortar, workability of lime concrete
( see Table 1 ). will generally be found satisfactory with normal
methods of preparing concrete. Workability of
4.5 Fine Aggregate lime concrete may be improved further by
increasing the proportion of lime mortar ( but
4.5.1 Sand for use in lime concrete shall conform this shall not be increased beyond the limit
to IS 383 : 1970. sp:cified in Table 1 > and by using well graded
aggregates. The proportions recommended
4.5.2 Brick aggregate shall conform to in Table 1 will normally be found to give
IS 3182 : 1986. satisfactory workable mixes. Lime concrete

1
IS 2541 : 3991

Table 1 Recommended Mixes for Use in Lime Concrete

( Clauses 4.4, 5.3, 5.4, 5.6.2, 7.2.1 and 7.3.1 )
Sl Situations Type of Mortar Class of Lime* Type of Maximum Proportion of Remarks
No. ( AI1 Proportions as in IS 712 : Coarse Size of Mortar to
by Voiume ) 1984 Aggregate Coarse
Aggregate
Volume )
(2) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
‘i,’ In founda- 1 lime,(3: fine A Stone or 50 mm 1
40 to 50 parts Nxmally suit-
tions aggregates broken brick I of mortar to able for build-
1 lime, 1 pozzo- B, C, D, E -do- 50 mm i 100 parts of ings not
~;~ematerial, t aggregate de- more than
aggre- 1 pending upon three storeys
gate 1 the grading of high and in
3 lime, 1 cement, B, C, D, E -do 50 mm J aggregate places with
12 fine aggregate dry sub-grade
that is subsoil
water level
not w ithin
2 5 m of foun-
dation level
ii) Base con- 1 lime, 2 fine A Stone or 50 mm 1 40 to 50 parts Suitable for
Crete under aggregate broken brick of mortar to dry and tole-
floor finishes 1 lime, 1 pozzo- B, C, D, E -do- 50 mm ( 100 parts of rably wet
on ground lanic materials, aggregate de- sub-grades
1 fine aggregate pending
3 lime, 1 cement, B, C, D, E 50 mm upon the grad-
12 fine aggregate ing of aggregate
iii) Levelling 1 lime, 2 fine A Broken brick 20 to 25 40 to 50 parts -
course or aggregate or mm of mortar to
cushioning 1 lime, 1 pozzo- B, C, D, E cinder 100 parts of
layer under lanic material, aggregate
floor 1 fine aggregate
2 lime, 1 cement, B, C, D, E -

1 45mortarparts
12 fine aggregate
iv) Filling over 1 ;;;e$ 1 pozzo- B, C, D, E Broken brick 25 mm of -
haunces of material, to
masonry 1 fine aggregate 100 parts of
arch work t 1 : 2 aggre-
J we
NOTE - For details of fine aggregate, see 4.5.
*When lime is used as putty, the proportioning shall take into account only the equivalent quantity of dry
slaked lime.

with 50 to 75 mm slump ( see Annex B ) will be 5.6 Strength Requirement

generally found suitable for uses indicated
in 5.1. 5.6.1 The strength of lime concrete will depend
on the class of lime type and size of coarse
5.5 Rate of Hardening and Setting Time aggregate, proportion and quality of pozzolanic
materials used in mortar for preparation of
5.5.1 The hardening df lime concrete will be concrete. The process of strength development
slower than that of cement concrete, but will be in lime concrete is slow and may extend through
satisfactory for most of the normal uses to years.
which it is put in building work, except where
early strength is required, such as in emergency 5.6.2 The minimum strength of lime concrete
works or in works under very wet conditions. of mix proportions specified in Table 1, when
In case of structural lime concrete subject to tested in accordance with procedure laid down
load, such as in foundations, further construc- in Annexes B and C shall be 1 N/mm2 of
tion shall not be started earlier than a period of compressive strength at 28 days and 0’2 N/m2 of
seven days after concrete has been laid and transverse strength at 90 days. The compressive
consolidated. strength at 90 days is expected to rise to
1’2 N/mm2.
5.5.2 Setting time of concrete will deperd upon
the class of lime used in the preparation of 6 PREPARATION OF LIME CONCRETE
mortar and will be variable. Though initial
set may occur in 2 to 3 h, where Class A lime is 6.1 Mortar for Concrete
used, the final set does not usually occur in
less than 10 to 12 h. Placing of concrete and 6.1.1 Plain lime mortar or lime pozzolana
compaction shall be completed before thp initial mortar or lime cement mortar of specified
set has started after which the concrete shall not proportions of different ingredients shall be
be disturbed. used. Lime shall be used in the form of dry

i-
 IS 2541 : 1991

hydrated lime or in the form of putty which shall NOTE - If cement has been used in the mix, the
concrete shall be laid in position within half-an
be prepared in accordance with IS1635 : 1975. hour after water has been added to it and
The mortar shall be prepared according to the compacted within one hour.
recommendations laid down in IS 2250 : 1981.
7.2 Lime Concrete in Foundations and Under
6.2 Coarse Aggregate Floors
If coarse aggregate contains excessive dirt, it 7.2.1 The soil sub-grade on which concrete is to
shall bs wlshed and well drained b:fore use. be laid shall b$ properly wetted and rammed
Burnt clay, cinder and other porous coarse befor: concreting is started. Guidance about
aggregate shall be thoroughly soaked and used the mix proportions to b= used may b: obtained
in saturated dry conditions. from Table 1.
6.3 Mixing 7.2.2 The concrete shall b= laid carefully in
position ( not thrown from a height ) while
6.3.1 Lime concrete may be hand mixed or a fresh, in layers not exceeding 150 mm in
small hand operated mixer rnly be used. For thickness when consolidated. Care shall be
larger quantities the use of a mechanical mixer taken while placing the concrete so that
would be desirable. segregation of aggregate particles and mortar
does not take place. Each layer shall be
6.3.2 Hmd Mixing thoroughly rammed and consolidated before
succeeding layers is placed. During laying and
Mixing shall be done on a clean water tight consolidation, concrete shall be kept free from
platform of sufficient size to provide ample contamination by leaves, straw, twigs, dirt and
mixing area. The platform shall have tight other deleterious matters. Alternatively, duty
close joints so that there is no leakage of water plate or surface vibrators may be used for
or mortar through them and the mixing tool uniform and good compaction.
does not strike the joints while in operation.
7.2.3 Heavy rammers shall be used and ramming
6.3.2.1 The coarse aggregate shall first be shall be continued until a skin of mortar covers
stacked to an even surface on the platform. the surface and completely hides the aggregate
Lime mortar ( or lime-pozzolana mortar ) in the ( iron rammers weighiyg 4h to 5& kg and
specified proportion shall then be evenly spread ;i;nrore fhaa 300 cm in area are generally
over the aggregate and the whole thoroughly satisfactory ). Square rammers are
mixed. Water in just sufficient quantity shall helpful in consolidation of edges. No water
be applied with a sprinkler, to enable the mortar shall b: added during ramming. Where joints
to adhere to each piece of aggregate. The in the same layer are unavoidable, the end of
mixing shall be done by turning it over and over each layer shall be sloped at an angle of 30” and
several times, until all the particles of aggregate made rough to ensure proper bond with new
are covered with mortar and a concrete of concrete. The surface of each completed layer
uniform appearance and consistency is obtained. shall be watered, roughened and cleaned by
wire brushing or any other suitable means
6.3.3 Machine Mixing before the next layer is laid over it. Where
vertical joints occur in an upper and a lower
Clean, saturated surface dry coarse aggregate layer, they shall be at least 600 mm apart
shall first be fed into the mixer. Lime mortar horizontally.
( or lime-pozzolana mortar ) in the specified
proportion shall then be fed into the mixer and 7.2.4 The mixing and ramming shall go on
the contents mixed well. The required quantity continuously when once started; relief parties
of cement shall then be added, if necessary. being provided to avoid stoppage. This may be
Mixing shall be continued until there is a achieved by arranging workmen in one or more
uniform distribution of the materials. Final lines across the concrete, with a lateral clear
adjustment of water, to obtain concrete of space of not more than 500 mm between
required consistency, may be made by adding workmen Sufficient labour and materials shall
.clean water, if necessary, and turning the be employed to make up the concrete
ingredients in the mixer. foundation layer by layer, simultaneously
throughout the whole building. When this is
‘7 LAYING not practicable, unfinished layers of concrete
shall have break joints as described in 7.2.3.
.7.1 General
7.2.5 Curing
*Only that much quantity of concrete shall be
mixed which can be laid in position within two After the laying and compaction has been
hours after mixing. The concrete shall completed, concrete shall be cured for a further
-preferably be placed in position immediately period of not less than 10 days. For the first
after mixing has been completed. Laying and 48 h it shall be cured by covering it with wet
compaction of concrete shall be completed hessian or by spreading sand, gunny bags and
within four hours of adding water. watering frequently in moderate quantities.

3
IS 2541 : 1991

7.2.5.1 In case of concrete in foundations no required thickness and levels in layers not
brickwork or masonry shall be laid on concrete exceeding 100 mm in thickness. Compaction
for a period of at least seven days after and ramming shall be continued till wet mortar
laying or till such period, the engineer-in- just appears at the top surface of the layer
charge feels it necessary. being consolidated.

7.3 Lime Concrete in Haunches of Arches 7.3.2 Curing

7.3.1Concrete of suitable mix proportion as The surface shall be continuously cured for at
recommended in Table 1, shall be laid to the least 21 days as described in 7.2.5.

ANNEX A
( Clause 2 )
LIST OF REFERRED INDIAN STANDARDS

IS No. Title IS No. Titje

269 : 1989 33 Grade ordinary Portland 2686 : 1977 Cinder as fine aggregates for
cement (fourth revision ) use is lime concrete (first
383 : 1970 Coarse and fine aggregates revision )
from natural sources for 3068 : 1986 Broken brick ( burnt clay )
concrete ( second revision > coarse aggregates for use in
lime concrete (first revision )
712 : 1984 Building limes ( third
revision ) 3182 : 1986 Broken brick ( burnt clay )
fine aggregates for use in
1344 : 1981 Calcined clay pozzolana lime mortar (first revision )
( second revision )
3812 : 1981 Fly ash for use as pozzolana
1635 : 1975 Code of practice for field and admixture (first revision )
slaking of building lime and 5817 : 1970 Code of practice for
preparation of putty (first preparation and use of lime-
revision ) pozzolana mixture concrete
2250 : 1981 Code of practice for in buildings and roads
preparation and use of 6508 : 1988 Glossary of terms relating
masonry mortars ( first to building lime ( first
revkion ) revision )

ANNEX B
( Clauses 5.4, 5.6.2and C-l.1 )

METHOD OF TEST FOR DETERMINATION OF COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

B-l GENERAL aggregate shall then be removed from the water

and the excess water allowed to drain away by
This method applies to compression tests on keeping the aggregate for 2 to 3 h at room
lime concrete specimen made in a laboratory temperature.
where accurate control of materials and test
conditions is possible. B-2.3 The quantities of lime putty, aggregate
and water for each batch shall be determined by
B-2 MATERIALS AND PROPORTIONING mass to an accuracy of 0’1 percent.

B-2.1 The materials and the proportions used B-3 MIXING CONCRETE
in making the tests shall be similar in all B-3.1 The concrete shall be mixed by hand or
respects to those to be employed in the work. preferably in a laboratory batch mixer in such
The water content shall be as nearly as practi- a manner as to avoid loss of water. The lime
cable, equal to that to be used in the work.
and fine aggregate shall first be mixed until
B-2.2 Materials shall be brought to room the mixture is uniform in colour. The coarse
temperature of 27” f 2°C before beginning the aggregate shall then be added and mixed with
test. The coarse aggregate shall be soaked in the lime and fine aggregate. Water shall then
water f\t room temperature for 24 h. The be added and the whole mixed thoroughly for

4
 IS 2541 : 1991

not less than two minutes until the resulting each layer being rammed with a steel round
concrete is uniform in appearance. bar 38 cm long and having a ramming face of
2’5 cm2 and a weight of 2 kg. For mixes of
B-4 CONSISTENCY 40 mm slump or less, 35 strokes shall be given
for each layer; for mixes of wetter consistency
B-4.1 The consistency of each batch of concrete this number may be reduced to 25 strokes per
shall be measured as described in B-4.1.1 layer.
to B-4.1.4, immediately after mixing.
B-7 CURING
B-4.1.1 The test specimen shall be formed in a
mould of GI sheeting in the form of the frustum Ali test cubes shall be placed-in moist air of at
of a cone with internal dimensions as follows : least 90 percent relative humidity and at a
temperature of 27” f 2’C for 24 f 0 5 h
Bottom diameter 200 mm, top diameter 100 commencing immediately after moulding is
mm and height 300 mm. The bottom and completed. After 72 h the test cubes shall be
the top shall be open, parallel to each other, marked, removed from the moulds, and placed
and at right angles to the axis of the cone. in water at a temperature of 27” _t 2°C until
The mould shall be provided with suitable required for test.
foot pieces and handles. The internal surface
of the mould shall be smooth, thoroughly B-S APPARATUS
clean, dry and free from set cementitious
material before testing. B-8.1 Testing Machine
The testing mechine may be of any reliable
B-4.1.2 Care shall be taken to ensure that a type of sufficient capacity for the tests and
representative sample is taken. capable of applying the load at the rate specified
in B-11.2. The permissible error shall be not
B-4.1.3 The mould shall be placed on a smooth, greater than f 2 percent of the maximum load.
flat, no,n-absorbent surface and the operator The testing machine shall be equipped with two
shall hold the mould firmly in place, wh‘lle it is steel bearing platen with hardened faces. One
being filled, by standing on the foot pieces. The of the platens (preferably the one that normally
mould shall be filled in four equal layers, each will bear on the upper surface of the specimen )
being rammed with 2.5 strokes of a 16 mm shall be fitted with a ball seating in the form of
diameter rod, 60 cm long, round nosed at the a portion of a sphere, the centre of which
lower end. The strokes shall be applied with coincides with the central point of the face of
such force that the rod just penetrates the the platen. The other compression platen shall
full depth of the layer being compacted. be plain, rigid bearing block. The bearing
When the mould is full, the top surface faces of both platens, shall be at least as large
of the concrete shall be struck off level. as, and preferably larger than the nominal size
The mould shall then be removed by raising of the specimen to which the load is applied.
vertically immediately after filling. The moulded The bearing surface of the platens, when new,
concrete shall be allowed to subside and the shall not depart from a plane by more than 0’01
height of the specimen after coming to rest mm at any point, and they shall be maintained
measured. with a permissible variation limit of 0’02 mm.
B-4.1.4 The consistency shall be recorded in The movable portion of the spherically seated
terms of centimetre of subsidence of the compresslon platen shall be held on the
specimen during the test which shall be known spherical seat, but the design shall be such that
as the slump. the bearing face can be rotated freely and tilted
through small angles in any direction.
B-S SIZE OF TEST CUBES B-9 ,4GE AT TEST
Compression tests of concrete shall be made on Tests shall be made at specified ages of the test
150-mm cubes. The moulds shall be of steel specimens, the most usual being 28 and 90 days.
or cast iron with the inner faces accurately
machined in order that opposite sides of the B-10 NUMBER OF SPECIMENS
specimens shall be plane and parallel. Each
mould shall be provided with a base plate At least three specimens shall be made from
having a plane surface and of such dimensions each batch for testing at each selected age.
as to support the mould during filling without
leakage and preferably attached by springs or B-11 PROCEDURE
screw to the mould. Before placing the concrete
in the mould both the base plate and the mould B-11.1 Specimens stored in water shall be tested
shall be oiled to prevent sticking of the concrete. immediately on removal from the water and
while they are still in the wet condition.
B-6 COMPACTING Surface water and grit shall be wiped off the
specimens and any projecting fins removed.
Concrete test cubes shall be moulded by placing Specimens when received dry shall be kept in
the fresh concrete in the mould in three layers, water for 24 h before they are taken for testing.

i
IS 2541 : 1991

The dimensions of the specimens to the nearest load shall be applied without shock and
0’2 mm and their mass shall be noted before increased continuously at a rate of approxi-
testing. mately 10’5 N/mma/min until the resistance of
the specimen to the increasing load breaks down
B-11.2 Placing the Specimen in the Testing and no greater load can be sustained. The
Machine maximum load applied to the specimen shall
The bearing surfaces of the testing machine shall then be recorded and the appearance of the
be wiped clean and any loose sand or other concrete and any unusual features in the type of
material removed from the surfaces of the failure shall be noted.
specimen which are to be in contact with the
compression platens. In the case of cubes, the B-12 CALCULATION
specimen shall be placed in the machine in such
a manner that the load shall be applied to The measured compressive strength of the
opposite vertical sides of the cubes as cast, that specimen shall be calculated by dividing thg
is, not to the top and bottom. The axis of the maximum load applied to the specimen, durine
specimen shall be carefully aligned with the the test by the cross-sectional area, calculated
centre of thrust of the spherically seated platen. from the mean dimensions of the section and
No packing shall be used between the faces of shall be expressed to the nearest 0.1 N/mm2.
the test specimen and the steel platen of the Average to three values shall be taken as the
testing machine. As the spherically seated repres&tative of the batch provided the
block is brought to bear on the sp:cimen, the individual variation is not more than f 15
movable portion shall be rotated gently by hand percent of the average. Otherwise repeat tests
so that uniform seating may be obtained. The shall be made.

ANNEX C
( Clause 5.6.2 )
METHOD OF TEST FOR DETERMINATION OF TRANSVERSE STRENGTH

C-l PREPARATION OF SPECIMENS C-4 PROCEDURE

Preparation of materials, proportions, weighing, C-4.1 Test specimens stored in water at a
mixing of concrete, preparation and curing of temperature of 27” f 2°C before testing, shall
specimen shall be done in the same way as in the be tested immediately on removal from the
case of compression test specimens given water whilst they are still in a wet condition.
in B-l to B-7. Specimens when received dry shall be kept in
water for 22 h before they are taken for testing.
C-2 SIZE OF SPECIMEN The dimensions of each specimen shall be noted
before testing. No preparation of the surfaces
The size of specimen shall be 150 mm X 150 mm is required.
X 700 mm.

C-3 APPARATUS C-4.2 Placing the Specimen in the Testiag

Machine
The testing machine may be of any reliable type
of sufficient capacity for the tests and capable The bearing surfaces of supporting and loading
of applying the load at the rate specified rollers shall be wiped clean, and any loose sand
in C-4.2. The permissible errors shall be not or other material removed from the surfaces of
greater than -+ 2 percent of the applied load. the specimen where they are to make contact
The bed of the testing machine shall be provided with the rollers. The specimen shall then be
with two steel rollers, 38 mm in diameter, on placed in the machine in such a manner that the
which the specimen is to be supported, and these load shall be applied to the uppermost surface
rollers shall be so mounted that the distance as cast in the mould, along two lines spaced
from centre to centre is 600 mm for 150 mm 200 mm apart. The axis of the specimen shall
specimen. The load shall be applied through be carefully aligned with the axis of I:; B loading
two similar rollers mounted at the third point device. No packing shall be used _wee;l a.he
of the supporting span, that is spaced at the 200 bearing surfaces of the specimen rqd the rc’lers.
mm -entre to centre. The load shall be divided The load shall be applied without shock,
equally between the two loading rollers, and increasing continuously at a rate such that tbm
all rollers shall be mounted in such a manner extreme fibre stress increases at approximate’
that the load is applied axially and without 0’7 N/mm’/min, that is at 2 rate of loading o1
subjecting the specimen to any torsional stresses 4 000 N/min. The load shall be increased until
or restraints. One suitable arrangement which the specimen fails, and the maximum load
complies with these requirements is indicated in applied to the sp-cimen during the test shall be
Fig. 1. recorded. The appearance of the fractured

6
 IS 2541 : 1991

ATING BARS REMOVE0

LOADING IS COMMENC

SECTION XX SECTION YV

FIG. 1 ARRANGEMENTFOR DETERMINATIONOF TRANSVERSESTRENGTH

faces of concrete and any unusual features in the 3P X a

type of failure shall be noted. fb= bxd2

C-5 CAI&ULATION When ‘u’ is less than the 200 mm but greater
than 170 mm for 150 mm specimen
The flexural strength of the specimen shall be where
expressed as the modulus of rupture fb which,
if ‘u’ equals the distance between the line of b = measured width, in mm, of the
fracture and the nearer support, measured on specimen;
the centre line of the tensile side of the d = measured depth, in mm, of the
specimen, in mm, shall be calculated to the specimen at the point of failure;
nearest 0’05 N/mma as follows: I = length, in mm, of the span on which
PXl the specimen was supported; and
fb= bxd2 P = maximum load in N applied to the
when ‘u’ is greater than 200 mm for 150 mm specimen.
specimen If ‘a’ is less than 170 mm for a 150 mm specimen,
or the results of the test shall be discarded.
Standard Mark

The use of the Standard Mark is governed by the provisions of the Bureau of Indian
Standards Act, 1986 and the Rulesand Regulations made thereunder. The Standard Mark on
products covered by an Indian Standard conveys the assurance that they have been produced
to comply with the requirements of that standard under a well defined system of inspection,
testing and quality control which is devised and supervised by BIS and operated by the pro-
ducer. Standard marked products are also continuously checked by BIS for conformity to
that standard as a further safeguard. Details of conditions under which a licence for the use
of the Standard Mark may be granted to manufacturers or producers may be obtained from
the Bureau of Irdian Standards.

i
 Bureau of Indian Standards

BIS is a statutory institution established under the Bureau of Indian Standavds Act, I986 to promoto
harmonious development of the activities of standardization, morklng and quality certification of
goods and attending to connected matters in the country.

Copyright

BIS has the copyright of all its publications. No part of these publications may be reproduced in
any form without the prior permission in writing of BIS. This does not preclude the free use, in
the course of implementing the standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type or
grade designations. Enquiries relating to copyright be addressed to the Director ( Publication ), BIS.

Revision of Indian Standards

Indian Standards are reviewed periodically and revised, when necessary and amendments, if any,
are issued from time to time. Users of Indian Standards should ascertain that they are in
possession of the latest amendments or edition. Comments on this Indian Standard may be sent
to BIS giving the following reference :

Dot : No. CED 4 ( 4877 )

Amendments Issued Since Publication

7.
Amend No. Date of Issue Text Affected

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

Headquarters :
Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002
Telephones : 331 01 31, 331 13 75 Telegrams : Manaksanstha
( Common to all Offices )

Regional 05ces : Telephones

Central : Manak Bhavan, 9 Babadur Shah Zafar Marg, 331 01 31

NEW Delhi-l 10002 331 13 75

Eastern : l/14 C.I.T. Scheme VfI M, V.I.P. Road, Maniktola

CALCUTTA 700054 37 86 62

Northern : SC0 445-446, Sector 35-C, CHANDIGARH 160’036 53 38 43 ’

Southern : C.I.T. Campus, IV Cross Road, MADRAS 600113 412916,

Western : Manakalaya, E9 MlDC, Marol, Andheri ( East >

BOMBAY 400093 6 32 92 95

Branches : AHMADABAD, BANGALORE, BHOPAL, BHUBANESHWAR,

COIMBATORE, FARIDABAD, GHAZIABAD, GUWAHATI,
HYDERABAD, JAIPUR, KANPUR, PATNA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

Printed at Swatantra l3harat Press, Delhi, India