Method of field testing of building lime

IS 1624 - Scope & Key Specifications Summary

Scope:
IS 1624 covers the workability test of mortar using a truncated cone and plates to measure the spread of fresh mortar.

Key Test Setup (Clause 8.1.2.1)

• Apparatus:

  • Truncated cone (Fig. 1) made of 1 mm thick galvanized steel
  • Plates:
    • Plate B: 3 mm thick mild steel
    • Plate C: Graduated plate on ground

• Test Procedure:

  1. Fill cone A with freshly prepared mortar.
  2. Tamp gently with a wooden rod (~16 mm dia).
  3. Level the mortar flush with cone rim.
  4. Lift cone + plate B vertically to 300 mm height.
  5. Slide plate B horizontally to release mortar onto plate C.
  6. Measure average spread diameter.

• Acceptance Criteria:

  • Spread diameter = 150 to 160 mm for good workability.

Important Dimensions

Summary Diagram

flowchart LR
    A[Truncated Cone A (1 mm Galv. Steel)]
    B[Plate B (3 mm Mild Steel)]
    C[Graduated Plate C (Ground)]
    A -->|Fill with Mortar| B
    B -->|Lift 300 mm and Slide| C
    C -->|Measure Spread (150-160 mm)| Result[Workability Test Result]

Note: Definitions as per IS 6508-1972 apply for mortar and related terms.

For detailed test procedures and apparatus, refer to Clause 8.1.2.1 and Fig. 1 of IS 1624.

IS 1624 - Key Specifications & Tables for Workability Test (Clause 8.1.2.1)

• Apparatus:

  • Truncated cone (Fig. 1) made of 1 mm thick galvanized steel
  • Plate B: 3 mm thick mild steel
  • Graduated plate C placed horizontally on the ground

• Procedure:

  1. Fill truncated cone A with mortar as used in construction.
  2. Tamp gently with a wooden rod (~16 mm diameter).
  3. Level the mortar flush with cone rim using a mason's trowel.
  4. Raise cone + plate B vertically to 300 mm height.
  5. Slide plate B horizontally to release mortar freely onto plate C.
  6. Measure the spread diameter on plate C and average it.

• Acceptance Criteria:

  • Mortar spread should be 150 to 160 mm for good workability.

Summary Table: Mortar Workability Spread

Visual Diagram of Test Setup (Simplified):

flowchart TB
    A[Truncated Cone A] -->|Filled with mortar| B[Plate B]
    B -->|Raised 300 mm vertically| C[Plate C (Graduated)]
    C -->|Mortar spreads on plate| D[Measure Spread Diameter]

For detailed definitions, refer IS 6508-1972 (as per Clause 2.1). For procurement or further clarifications, contact BIS regional offices listed in the standard.

IS 1624: Visual Examination & Workability Test for Building Lime Mortar

Visual Examination (Clause 3)

• Purpose: To assess mortar workability visually.
• Apparatus: Truncated cone (Fig. 1) made of 1 mm galvanized steel, plate B (3 mm mild steel), and graduated plate C.
• Procedure:
  1. Fill truncated cone A with mortar.
  2. Tamp gently with a wooden rod (~16 mm diameter).
  3. Level the surface flush with cone rim.
  4. Raise cone + plate B to 300 mm height.
  5. Slide plate B horizontally to let mortar spread on plate C.
  6. Measure average spread diameter.

Key Specification:

Notes:

• Spread outside 150-160 mm indicates poor workability.
• Visual signs of lime disintegration classify lime quality (Clause 5.2).

Summary Diagram:

flowchart LR
    A[Fill Cone A with Mortar] --> B[Tamp with Wooden Rod]
    B --> C[Level Mortar Surface]
    C --> D[Raise Cone + Plate B to 300 mm]
    D --> E[Slide Plate B Horizontally]
    E --> F[Measure Mortar Spread on Plate C]
    F --> G{Spread 150-160 mm?}
    G -- Yes --> H[Good Workability]
    G -- No --> I[Poor Workability]

This method ensures consistent mortar consistency for construction quality control.

IS 1624: Hydrochloric Acid Test for Building Lime

Procedure (Clause 4.1)

• Place powder lime in a 50 ml graduated cylinder; tap gently until settled at 5 ml mark.
• Add hydrochloric acid (HCl) diluted 1:1 up to the 25 ml mark along a glass rod to avoid smearing.
• Stir with a glass rod; inert residue should be minimal.
• Add excess HCl dropwise with stirring until no effervescence (CO₂ release) occurs.
• Let stand for 24 hours to observe gel formation.

Observations (Clause 5.2)

• Disintegration within minutes: Lime likely Class C or D.
• Little expansion + surface cracks: Lime likely Class B or E.
• No disintegration under water: Lime likely Class A.

Additional Notes

• Lime should be white, powdery, without gritty particles > 2.5 mm.
• Lumpy lime may indicate quick lime or unburnt limestone.

Summary Table

flowchart TD
    A[Powder Lime (5 ml)] --> B[Add HCl (up to 25 ml)]
    B --> C[Stir with glass rod]
    C --> D{Effervescence?}
    D -- Yes --> E[Add HCl dropwise till no effervescence]
    D -- No --> F[Let stand 24 hours]
    F --> G[Observe gel formation]

This test helps classify lime quality and purity per IS 1624.

IS 1624: Disintegration Test for Lime

Key Specifications & Procedure (Clause 5.1 & 5.2)

• Sample: Make balls of quick lime (~50 mm diameter) mixed with just enough water for a stiff paste.
• Rest: Leave undisturbed for 6 hours.
• Test: Immerse balls in water.
• Observation (Clause 5.2):
  • Class C or D: Signs of disintegration within a few minutes.
  • Class B or E: Very little expansion, numerous surface cracks.
  • Class A: No signs of disintegration under water.

Impurity Test (Clause 4.1)

• Use 50 ml graduated cylinder.
• Place lime powder, tap gently until settled to ~5 ml.
• Add hydrochloric acid (1:1) up to 25 ml along glass rod.
• Stir and add acid dropwise till no effervescence.
• Stand for 24 hours to observe gel formation.

Workability Test Setup (Clause 8.1.2.1)

• Use truncated cone and plates (Fig. 1).
• Fill cone with mortar, tamp gently.
• Raise cone 300 mm, slide plate to let mortar fall on graduated plate.
• Spread: 150 - 160 mm indicates good workability.

flowchart TD
  A[Make lime ball ~50mm] --> B[Rest for 6 hours]
  B --> C[Immerse in water]
  C --> D{Observe disintegration}
  D -->|Few minutes| E[Class C or D]
  D -->|Cracks, little expansion| F[Class B or E]
  D -->|No disintegration| G[Class A]

This test classifies lime quality by disintegration behavior, crucial for durability and performance in construction.

IS 1624: Impurity Test & Workability Test for Lime

Impurity Test (Clause 6)

• No detailed formula given; test is qualitative.
• Lime showing disintegration within minutes → Class C or D (impure).
• Little expansion with cracks → Class B or E.
• No disintegration under water → Class A (pure lime).

Workability Test (Clause 8.1.2.1)

• Uses a truncated cone (Fig. 1) and plates for measuring mortar spread.
• Procedure:
  • Fill cone with mortar, tamp gently with 16 mm wooden rod.
  • Level mortar with trowel.
  • Lift cone + plate vertically 300 mm, then slide plate horizontally.
  • Measure spread diameter on graduated plate below.
• Acceptable spread: 150 to 160 mm for good workable mortar.

Equipment Dimensions (Fig. 1)

Summary Table: Lime Quality by Impurity Test

flowchart TD
    A[Prepare Mortar] --> B[Fill Cone A]
    B --> C[Tamp Mortar with Wooden Rod (16mm)]
    C --> D[Level Mortar Surface]
    D --> E[Lift Cone + Plate B to 300 mm]
    E --> F[Slide Plate B Horizontally]
    F --> G[Measure Spread on Plate C]
    G --> H{Spread 150-160 mm?}
    H -->|Yes| I[Good Workability]
    H -->|No| J[Poor Workability]

For detailed procedures, refer to IS 1624 clauses 5.2 and 8.1.2.1.

IS 1624: Plasticity Test & Workability Test Key Points

Plasticity Test (Clause 7.2)

• Observation: Lime with good plasticity is easily spreadable, smooth, and free from gritty particles.
• Judgement: Compare with a standard lime of known good quality.

Workability Test (Clause 8.1.2.1)

• Apparatus: Truncated cone (Fig. 1), plate, and graduated plate.
• Procedure:
  1. Fill the truncated cone with mortar.
  2. Tamp gently with a wooden rod (~16 mm diameter).
  3. Level the surface.
  4. Raise cone + plate to 300 mm height.
  5. Slide plate horizontally; mortar spreads on graduated plate.
  6. Measure average spread diameter.
• Acceptance: Spread should be 150 to 160 mm for good workability.

Residue Limits (Clause 6.2)

Summary Table for Workability Test

flowchart LR
    A[Fill truncated cone with mortar] --> B[Tamp with wooden rod]
    B --> C[Level surface]
    C --> D[Raise cone + plate to 300 mm]
    D --> E[Slide plate horizontally]
    E --> F[Measure mortar spread on graduated plate]
    F --> G{Spread 150-160 mm?}
    G -->|Yes| H[Good workability]
    G -->|No| I[Poor workability]

This test ensures lime mortar has suitable plasticity and workability for construction use.

IS 1624 - Workability Test for Lime Mortar

Key Specifications & Procedures:

1. Visual/Mason's Judgment Test (Clause 8.1.1.1)

• Throw a handful of mortar with the same effort as rough-cast work onto the working surface.
• Observe:
  • Area covered by mortar (should be large).
  • Amount of mortar sticking to the surface (should be substantial).
• Good workability: Spread on throw should be at least double the size of the handful and most mortar should stick.

2. Truncated Cone Test (Clause 8.1.2.1)

• Equipment: Truncated cone (Fig. 1), plates made of galvanized/mild steel.
• Procedure:
  • Fill cone with mortar, tamp gently with 16 mm wooden rod.
  • Level the surface with trowel.
  • Lift cone and plate vertically to 300 mm height.
  • Slide plate horizontally to let mortar fall on graduated plate below.
  • Measure average spread diameter.
• Acceptable spread diameter: 150 to 160 mm for good workability.

Equipment Dimensions (Fig. 1 Summary):

Summary Table for Workability Test

flowchart TD
    A[Prepare mortar] --> B[Fill truncated cone]
    B --> C[Tamp gently with wooden rod]
    C --> D[Level surface with trowel]
    D --> E[Lift cone + plate to 300 mm]
    E --> F[Slide plate horizontally]
    F --> G[Measure spread diameter on plate]
    G --> H{Spread 150-160 mm?}
    H -->|Yes| I[Good workability]
    H -->|

IS 1624: Observations and Interpretation - Key Points

1. Observation (Clause 4.2)

• Observations must be recorded carefully during testing.
• Visual examination as per IS 6508-1972 definitions applies.

2. Visual Examination (Clause 8.1.2.1)

• Use the truncated cone and plate apparatus (Fig. 1) for workability test.
• Mortar is filled into the truncated cone (A), tamped gently with a 16 mm wooden rod.
• Excess mortar is removed to level with the cone rim.
• Cone is lifted to 300 mm height, plate (B) slid horizontally to let mortar fall freely on graduated plate (C).
• Measure the spread of mortar on plate; average spread should be 150 to 160 mm for good workability.

3. Apparatus Dimensions (Fig. 1)

Summary Table for Workability Test

flowchart LR
    A[Fill mortar in truncated cone] --> B[Tamp gently with wooden rod]
    B --> C[Remove excess to level surface]
    C --> D[Lift cone 300 mm vertically]
    D --> E[Slide plate horizontally]
    E --> F[Mortar falls on graduated plate]
    F --> G[Measure spread (150-160 mm)]

Use these observations to interpret mortar workability and ensure compliance with IS 1624 standards.

IS 1624 - Reporting of Results (Clause 8.1.2.1 & related)

Workability Test Setup:

• Use Truncated Cone (A) and Plate (B) as per Fig. 1.
• Cone filled with mortar, gently tamped with a wooden rod (~16 mm dia).
• Excess mortar leveled with mason’s trowel.
• Cone lifted vertically to 300 mm height.
• Plate B slid horizontally to let mortar fall freely on graduated plate C below.
• Measure the spread diameter of the mortar on plate C.

Key Specification:

• Acceptable mortar spread: 150 to 160 mm (indicates good workability).

Reporting Guidelines (IS 2-1960 rounding):

• Final measured values must be rounded as per IS 2-1960 rules.
• Report the average spread diameter from multiple readings.

Summary Table for Workability Test:

flowchart TD
    A[Fill truncated cone with mortar]
    B[Level mortar surface]
    C[Lift cone to 300 mm height]
    D[Slide plate horizontally]
    E[Mortar falls on graduated plate]
    F[Measure spread diameter]
    G[Report average spread (150-160 mm)]

    A --> B --> C --> D --> E --> F --> G

Note: Always ensure the test mortar mix matches the construction mix for accurate workability results.