Construction Materials & Specifications Quick Reference
IS Codes: 1077, 383, 1786, 2062 & More | IS Standards | Bastukar.in Civil Engineering Reference
1. Bricks — IS 1077:1992 (Common Burnt Clay Bricks)
Class
Min Compressive Strength (N/mm²)
Dimensions (mm) L×W×H
Max Water Absorption
Efflorescence
Class 12.5
12.5
190 × 90 × 90
20%
Nil to Slight
Class 10
10.0
190 × 90 × 90
20%
Nil to Slight
Class 7.5
7.5
190 × 90 × 90
20%
Slight to Moderate
Class 5
5.0
190 × 90 × 90
22%
Moderate
Class 3.5
3.5
190 × 90 × 90
25%
Not limited
Modular Bricks (IS 1077): 190×90×90 mm (+ 10mm mortar joint = 200×100×100 mm coursing module) Traditional size: 230×115×75 mm (non-modular) Test methods: Compressive strength (IS 3495 Part 1), Water absorption (IS 3495 Part 2), Efflorescence (IS 3495 Part 3)
2. Cement — IS 269 / IS 455 / IS 1489
Type
IS Code
Fineness (Blaine, m²/kg min)
Initial Set (min)
28-day Strength (MPa)
Applications
OPC 33 Grade
IS 269
225
≥30 min
≥33
General construction (reducing use)
OPC 43 Grade
IS 8112
225
≥30 min
≥43
General RCC, plastering, pre-cast
OPC 53 Grade
IS 12269
225
≥30 min
≥53
High-strength concrete M30+, pre-stressed
PPC (Portland Pozzolana)
IS 1489
300
≥30 min
≥33
Mass concrete, marine works, general
PSC (Portland Slag)
IS 455
250
≥30 min
≥33
Underground, marine, aggressive environment
SRC (Sulphate Resistant)
IS 12330
225
≥30 min
≥33
Sulphate bearing soils, sewers, marine
HAC (High Alumina)
IS 6452
—
≥30 min
≥45 (at 24h)
Refractory applications; not for structural
RHC (Rapid Hardening)
IS 8041
325
≥30 min
≥27 (at 3d)
Urgent repairs, cold weather concreting
Setting time: Initial set ≥30 min; Final set ≤600 min (10 hrs) for all OPC grades per IS 269/8112/12269. Soundness (Le Chatelier): Max expansion 10mm for OPC.
3. Fine Aggregate — IS 383:2016 Grading Zones
Percentage by mass passing each IS sieve:
IS Sieve Size
Zone I (Coarser)
Zone II
Zone III
Zone IV (Finer)
10 mm
100
100
100
100
4.75 mm
90–100
90–100
90–100
95–100
2.36 mm
60–95
75–100
85–100
95–100
1.18 mm
30–70
55–90
75–100
90–100
600 μm
15–34
35–59
60–79
80–100
300 μm
5–20
8–30
12–40
15–50
150 μm
0–10
0–10
0–10
0–15
Zone I: Coarsest sand — may require adjustments in mix design for workability. Zone II & III: Best for concrete. Zone II is ideal for IS 10262 mix design. Zone IV: Very fine sand — requires additional water; avoid for concrete if possible. Suitable for plastering.
4. Coarse Aggregate — IS 383:2016 Grading Requirements
IS Sieve
% Passing — 10mm (Graded)
% Passing — 20mm (Graded)
% Passing — 40mm (Graded)
% Passing — 80mm (Graded)
80mm
—
—
—
100
40mm
—
—
95–100
30–70
20mm
—
95–100
30–70
0–10
16mm
—
90–100
—
—
12.5mm
—
—
—
—
10mm
95–100
25–55
0–10
0–5
4.75mm
30–60
0–10
0–5
—
2.36mm
0–10
0–5
—
—
Maximum aggregate size: Should not exceed 1/4 of the minimum section dimension, cover to reinforcement, or 75% of minimum clear bar spacing. For slabs, max = D/3.
5. Water for Concrete — IS 456:2000 Cl. 5.4
Parameter
Permissible Limit
pH of water
6.0 to 8.5
Organic matter
≤ 200 mg/L
Inorganic solids
≤ 3000 mg/L
Sulphates (as SO3)
≤ 400 mg/L
Chlorides (as Cl)
≤ 2000 mg/L (concrete without steel); ≤ 500 mg/L (reinforced/prestressed)
Suspended matter
≤ 2000 mg/L
Sugar
Nil
Oil and grease
Should not show oily film
6. Steel Reinforcement — IS 1786 Properties
Grade
Yield Strength fy (MPa)
UTS (MPa)
Min Elongation (%)
Bend Test (dia)
Use
Fe 415
≥415
≥485
≥14.5
3d
General RCC
Fe 415D
≥415
≥500
≥18.0
3d
Ductile (seismic)
Fe 500
≥500
≥545
≥12.0
4d
Most common
Fe 500D
≥500
≥565
≥16.0
4d
Seismic zones
Fe 550
≥550
≥585
≥10.0
5d
High-rise structures
Fe 550D
≥550
≥600
≥14.5
5d
Seismic high-rise
Fe 600
≥600
≥660
≥10.0
5d
Specialized structures
Mass per unit length: W (kg/m) = d² / 162 (approx) for round bars | 8mm: 0.395 kg/m | 10mm: 0.617 | 12mm: 0.888 | 16mm: 1.578 | 20mm: 2.467 | 25mm: 3.854 kg/m
7. Structural Steel — IS 2062:2011
Grade
YS (MPa) ≤20mm
YS (MPa) 20–40mm
UTS (MPa)
Min Elongation (%)
Charpy Impact (J at 0°C)
E 250 (A)
250
240
410–530
≥23
≥27
E 250 (B)
250
240
410–530
≥23
≥27
E 300
300
290
440–570
≥22
≥27
E 350
350
330
490–630
≥22
≥27
E 410
410
390
540–670
≥20
≥27
E 450
450
430
570–720
≥18
≥27
IS 800:2007 design properties: E (Young's modulus) = 2 × 10⁵ MPa | G (Shear modulus) = 0.769 × 10⁵ MPa | μ = 0.3 | α = 12 × 10⁻⁶/°C | Density = 7850 kg/m³
8. Paints & Surface Coatings
Paint Type
IS Code
Coverage (m²/litre)
Dry Film Thickness
Application
Red Oxide Primer (metal)
IS 2074
8–12 m²/L
20–25 μm/coat
1st coat on MS/steel
Red Lead Primer
IS 102
8–10 m²/L
25–30 μm/coat
Exposed steel; anti-corrosion
Exterior Emulsion Paint
IS 1477
10–14 m²/L (1 coat)
15–20 μm/coat
Plastered walls, 2 coats minimum
Cement Paint
IS 5410
1.5–2.5 m²/kg (slurry)
—
Unplastered masonry, concrete
Enamel Paint
IS 2932
10–14 m²/L
25–35 μm
Interior woodwork, doors, windows
Bituminous paint
IS 9862
6–8 m²/L
40–60 μm
Waterproofing, buried pipelines
Epoxy paint
IS 13213
6–8 m²/L
100–150 μm
Chemical plants, floors, tanks
9. Timber — IS 1141:1993
Category
Species Examples
Grade
MOR (N/mm²)
MOE (N/mm²)
Use
Group A (Best durability)
Teak, Sal, Deodar, Rosewood
Grade I / Grade II / Grade III
75–100+
8000–14000
Heavy structural, flooring
Group B (Good durability)
Shisham, Babul, Jackfruit
Grade I / II / III
55–85
7000–12000
General construction, furniture
Group C (Moderate durability)
Mango, Eucalyptus, Pine
Grade I / II / III
40–70
5000–9000
Doors, windows, light framing
Moisture content: For structural timber ≤20%; For joinery ≤14%; For flooring ≤12%. Timber should be properly seasoned before use (IS 1141).
10. Plastering Mixes (Cement : Sand Ratios)
Application
Cement : Sand Ratio
Thickness (mm)
Remarks
Backing coat / first coat (brick walls)
1 : 6
12 – 15 mm
Rough finish
Finish coat (internal walls)
1 : 4
6 – 8 mm
Smooth steel float finish
Waterproof plaster
1 : 3 + waterproofing admixture
12 – 15 mm
External, wet areas
RCC surface plaster
1 : 3
6 – 10 mm
Roughen surface before applying
Dadoing / skirting
1 : 3
12 – 15 mm
Hard finish required
Ceiling plaster
1 : 4 or 1 : 3
6 – 8 mm
Thin coats; mesh reinforcement for large spans
External rough cast
1 : 2.5
15 – 20 mm
Exposed aggregate finish
11. Bitumen — IS 73:2013 Viscosity Graded Bitumen
Grade
Kinematic Viscosity at 60°C (cSt)
Absolute Viscosity at 60°C (Poise)
Penetration at 25°C (0.1mm)
Softening Point (°C)
Flash Point (°C)
Application
VG-10
≥250, ≤3000
≥800
≥80
≥40
≥220
Cold climates, spray applications, high altitude roads
VG-20
≥1500, ≤3000
≥1600
≥60
≥45
≥220
Cold/moderate climate bituminous mixes
VG-30
≥2500, ≤3000
≥2400
≥45
≥47
≥220
Most common for road construction, DBM, BC
VG-40
≥3200, ≤4800
≥3200
≥25
≥55
≥220
Hot climate regions, heavily trafficked roads, intersections
Note: IS 73:2013 replaced the old penetration grade (80/100, 60/70, 30/40) system with viscosity grading (VG-10, VG-20, VG-30, VG-40). Penetration Grade equivalence (approx): VG-10 ≈ 80/100 pen | VG-30 ≈ 60/70 pen | VG-40 ≈ 30/40 pen Laying temperature: VG-30 & VG-40 mix laid at 130–160°C; Compaction finished before 100°C.