The 1980 edition of IS 2119 outlines detailed procedures for designing and building brick-cum-lime concrete composite floors and roofs, popularly termed Madras terrace. It addresses material requirements, structural design of joists, installation techniques, curing methods, and upkeep to guarantee long-lasting performance. This code is vital for professionals engaged in traditional and composite flooring and roofing construction across India.
Overview
The 1980 edition of IS 2119 outlines detailed procedures for designing and building brick-cum-lime concrete composite floors and roofs, popularly termed Madras terrace. It addresses material requirements, structural design of joists, installation techniques, curing methods, and upkeep to guarantee long-lasting performance. This code is vital for professionals engaged in traditional and composite flooring and roofing construction across India.
Audience
Contents
Structure
This section defines the requirements for burnt clay flat terracing tiles, both handmade and machine-made, covering essential material properties, dimensions, and installation methods. Applicable tools such as hand beaters and mortar additives like crude oil for Madras terrace work are specified. Key dimensions for hand beaters (mass 1-2 kg, handle diameter 40 mm, length 150 mm) are included. Preparatory documentation and instructions are mandated. Related standards such as IS 2118, IS 2792, IS 2858, IS 6061 Parts I & II, and IS 6332 are referenced.
Clarifies terminology specific to lime concrete flooring, referencing IS 6508:1972 for lime definitions. Describes tools like the hand beater per Appendix C and emphasizes the necessity of providing all preparatory drawings and instructions to personnel involved in terrace laying. Related definitions for terracing tiles and bitumen felts are also referenced.
Details material standards including burnt clay terracing tiles (machine and handmade), structural timber, cement concrete flooring tiles, and bitumen felts. Storage and transportation protocols per IS 4082-1977 are outlined to prevent material degradation. Precast concrete materials must comply with IS 456 and IS 1343 standards.
Outlines design information requirements such as surface coverage, support type, terrace levels, junction treatment with adjacent elements, roof slope, drainage, and fixing points for services and ceilings. Emphasizes exchange of comprehensive design details with the laying team and adherence to referenced IS standards for tiles, timber, concrete, and waterproofing.
Covers strength criteria ensuring terracing tiles withstand service loads with safety. Compliance with IS 456 and IS 1343 for concrete and prestressed sections is mandatory. Stability checks include load-bearing capacity, resistance to bending/shear, and proper anchorage. Typical strength formulas and tile specifications by type are provided.
Details scheduling to avoid clashes with other construction activities and recommends avoiding terracing during monsoon. Supports like walls and beams must be completed, cured, and leveled before terracing. Water used must meet quality standards. All relevant drawings and instructions should be furnished to the construction team.
Specifies proper storage practices on dry platforms to prevent deterioration of cement, lime, sand, bricks, steel, and timber. Transport guidelines emphasize protection against damage, especially for joists. The hand beater tool specifications are reiterated, and relevant IS codes for storage and handling are referenced.
Describes the method of laying bricks on edge with proper bonding and slight arching (max 5 mm rise) to develop self-supporting arch action. Joists may be temporarily supported to avoid cracking. Lime broken brick aggregate concrete mix ratio (1:2 by volume) and thickness (approx. 100 mm) are specified. References to relevant IS codes for materials and methods are included.
Prescribes continuous water sprinkling for lime concrete curing over a minimum of 6 days before finishing. Brickwork requires moist curing for at least 10 days. Emphasizes timely use of lime concrete (within 2 hours of mixing) and proper compaction using hand beaters per Appendix C.
Specifies acceptable materials for floor and roof finishes, including burnt clay terracing tiles, cement concrete tiles, bitumen felts, and structural timber. Stresses the need for detailed preparatory instructions and maintenance as per IS standards. Hand beater usage for compaction is reaffirmed.
Identifies critical inspection stages: before tile laying (ensuring even bearing and support), during brick laying (checking brick soaking), after concrete laying (compaction adequacy), and curing duration compliance. Potential defects from inadequate inspection include cracking, poor adhesion, and sagging.
Details the parapet and roof junction construction with tiles inclined at 45° to the parapet face, broken brick aggregate concrete base, and tiles extending 50 mm inside the wall. Plastering is done after tile laying. Minimum water curing of terrace and ceiling surfaces for 3 weeks is required. Construction notes on brick laying and joist design referencing IS 456 are included.
Reiterates inspection stages and their importance. Stresses maintenance of roof and ceiling finishes, and joists per relevant IS codes to prevent deterioration. The hand beater specifications and preparatory information requirements are highlighted again.
Appendix A specifies crude oil quality for mortar additives. Appendix C provides hand beater tool specifications. The mandate for supplying all necessary information and drawings to workers is included. Related specifications for terracing tiles, structural timber, concrete flooring, and bitumen felts are referenced.
Frequently Asked
Recommended materials for Madras terrace include bricks laid on edge with a lime mortar mix of 1:12 (lime putty to sand by volume), supported on closely spaced joists made of timber, precast reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, or steel. A lime broken brick aggregate concrete layer is applied over the bricks with a total terrace thickness not exceeding 185 mm. Suitable floor finishes are placed atop the lime concrete, and ceiling finishes are applied below the terrace brickwork. The dead load is approximately 370 kg/m², with proper slope and drainage considerations as well as provision for fixing services.
Steel joists must be designed following IS 800-1962, the code for structural steel in building construction. Timber joists should conform to IS 3629-1966 for material quality and IS 883-1970 for structural design. Precast concrete joists are to comply with IS 456-1978 for reinforced concrete and IS 1343-1960 for prestressed concrete design. These standards ensure structural safety, durability, and compliance with Indian construction codes.
The procedure involves laying terrace bricks in rows over closely spaced joists to create a flat surface, ensuring tight packing to develop arch action. A lime concrete layer is poured over the bricks, which bonds integrally. The lime concrete must be cured by continuous water sprinkling for at least six days before applying the floor or roof finish. This method guarantees strength, durability, and waterproofing by combining arch action with composite bonding.
IS 2119 requires a minimum drainage slope of 1 in 48 (approximately 2.08%) to ensure effective water runoff. This slope can be incorporated in the joist arrangement, the lime broken brick aggregate concrete layer, or both. For Madras terrace roofs thicker than 200 mm, thermal insulation is considered adequate inherently, so no additional insulation measures are necessary. Roof finishes must be maintained according to relevant IS standards to preserve durability and insulation properties.
Inspection is essential at key stages: before tile laying (checking even bearing and support), during brick laying (ensuring proper soaking and adhesion), after laying lime broken brick aggregate concrete (verifying compaction), and during curing (confirming adequate duration). Maintenance involves regular upkeep of roof finishes, ceiling finishes, and supporting joists in accordance with applicable IS codes. Following these practices prevents cracking, sagging, and adhesion failures, thereby ensuring long-term durability.
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