Sand for masonry mortars - Specification

IS 2116 Scope Summary: Specification for Sand for Masonry Mortars

• Scope: Defines grading, physical properties, and testing methods for sand used in masonry mortars.

Key Specifications:

Table 1: Grading of Sand for Masonry Mortars (Percent Passing by Mass)

Notes:

• Testing methods for particle size, specific gravity, and bulk density are detailed in IS 2386 (Parts I & III).
• Sand must conform to grading limits to ensure mortar quality and workability.

flowchart TD
    A[Sand for Masonry Mortars] --> B[Particle Size Grading]
    B --> C[Pass % within limits in Table 1]
    A --> D[Physical Properties]
    D --> E[Specific Gravity (IS 2386 Part III)]
    D --> F[Bulk Density (IS 2386 Part III)]
    A --> G[Testing & Certification]
    G --> H[Supplier's Certificate]
    G --> I[Cost of Tests Agreement]

This scope ensures sand quality for durable, workable masonry mortars per IS 2116.

IS 2116: Definitions & Key Specifications

1. Definitions (Clause 2.0)

• Defines terms related to sand and aggregates for masonry mortars.
• References standard test methods and specifications for aggregates and sand.

2. Test Methods & Standards

• Particle Size & Shape: IS 2386 (Part I) - 1963
• Specific Gravity, Density, Voids, Absorption, Bulking: IS 2386 (Part III) - 1963
• Test Sieves: IS 460 (Part I) - 1978 for sieve designations.

3. Grading of Sand (Clause 4.1, Table 1)

4. Supplier's Certificate (Clause 7.2)

• Supplier to provide:
  • Specific gravity of sand (IS 2386 Part III)
  • Bulk density of sand (IS 2386 Part III)

Summary Diagram: Sand Grading Process

flowchart TD
    A[Raw Sand Sample] --> B[Sieving using IS 460 (Part I) Sieve Sizes]
    B --> C[Percentage Passing Calculation]
    C --> D[Check Against IS 2116 Table 1 Limits]
    D -->|Within Limits| E[Approved for Masonry Mortar]
    D -->|Outside Limits| F[Rejected or Reprocessed]

Use IS 2116 along with IS 2386 & IS 460 for complete sand grading and testing compliance.

IS 2116: Quality of Sand - Key Specifications and Tables

1. Quality Requirements (Clause 3.1 & 3.3)

• Sand types: natural sand, crushed stone sand, crushed gravel sand, or combinations.
• Must be hard, durable, clean, free from coatings & organic matter.
• Limits on deleterious materials (by mass):

2. Grading of Sand for Masonry Mortars (Clause 4.1, Table 1)

Summary:

• Clay & fine dust ≤ 5% by mass.
• Organic impurities must pass color test.
• Sand grading must fall within specified sieve passing percentages for mortar quality.

flowchart TD
    A[Sand Types] --> B[Natural Sand]
    A --> C[Crushed Stone Sand]
    A --> D[Crushed Gravel Sand]

    E[Quality Checks] --> F[Clay, Silt, Dust ≤ 5%]
    E --> G[Organic impurities: Color test]
    E --> H[Clean, hard, durable]

    I[Grading] --> J[4.75 mm: 100% passing]
    I --> K[2.36 mm: 90-100% passing]
    I --> L[1.18 mm: 70-100% passing]
    I --> M[600 micron: 40-100%

IS 2116: Grading Requirements for Sand in Masonry Mortars

Key Specifications (Clause 4.1 & Table 1)

Important Notes (Clauses 4.2 & 4.4)

• Sand grading outside these limits can be corrected by screening or blending with suitable sand sizes.
• Natural sands or crushed stone screenings alone may be unsuitable but can be processed to meet grading requirements.
• This grading applies uniformly for both reinforced and unreinforced masonry mortars.

Summary Formula for Blending Sands

If sand A and sand B have percentage passing (P_A) and (P_B) respectively, the blended sand percentage passing (P) is:

[ P = x \cdot P_A + (1 - x) \cdot P_B ]

where (x) = proportion of sand A in the blend.

flowchart LR
    A[Natural Sand] -->|Screening/Blending| B[Graded Sand]
    C[Crushed Stone Screening] -->|Screening/Blending| B
    B --> D[Suitable for Masonry Mortar]

This ensures sand meets IS 2116 grading for quality masonry work.

IS 2116: Sampling and Testing of Aggregates for Concrete

Sampling (Clause 5.1)

• Follow IS 2430-1969 for sampling methods.
• Quantity for each test as per relevant parts of IS 2386-1963.
• Supplier provides material free for testing (Clause 6.3).

Testing (Refer IS 2386 Parts)

• Particle Size & Shape: IS 2386 Part I
• Specific Gravity, Density, Voids, Absorption, Bulking: IS 2386 Part III

Key Specifications

Additional Supplier Info (Clause 7.2)

• Specific gravity and bulk density values on request.
• Supplier’s certificate and cost of tests subject to prior agreement.

Summary Diagram of Sampling & Testing Flow

flowchart TD
    A[Sampling as per IS 2430] --> B[Sample Quantity as per IS 2386]
    B --> C{Tests Required}
    C -->|Particle Size & Shape| D[IS 2386 Part I]
    C -->|Specific Gravity & Density| E[IS 2386 Part III]
    C -->|Other Tests| F[As per relevant IS parts]
    D & E & F --> G[Results & Certificate]
    G --> H[Supplier Provides Material Free (Clause 6.3)]

Note: For detailed test procedures and sample quantities, refer directly to IS 2386 and IS 2430. This ensures compliance with the code for quality concrete aggregates.

IS 2116: Supplier's Certificate & Cost of Tests

Cost of Tests (Clause 6.4)

• Supplier bears cost if material fails to meet IS 2116 requirements.
• Purchaser bears cost if material complies with the standard.
• Supplier must provide material free of charge for testing (Clause 6.3).

Supplier's Certificate (Clause 7.2)

Upon request and prior agreement, supplier shall provide:

• Specific Gravity of Sand (as per IS 2386 Part III-1963)
• Bulk Density of Sand (as per IS 2386 Part III-1963)

Additional Testing (Clause 5.2.1)

• Compressive strength test on cement mortar cubes (1:6 mix) may be performed using supplied material instead of standard sand (IS 2250-1981).
• Compare strength with mortar made from acceptable sand.

Summary Table: Cost Responsibility for Tests

References for Tests

• IS 2386 (Part III): Specific gravity, density, voids, absorption, bulking of aggregates.
• IS 2250-1981: Methods for mortar cube compressive strength testing.

flowchart LR
    A[Material Supplied] --> B{Test Result}
    B -->|Complies| C[Purchaser bears cost]
    B -->|Fails| D[Supplier bears cost]
    A --> E[Supplier provides material free for tests]

Note: Supplier's certificate and test cost terms must be agreed prior to supply.

IS 2116 - Information to be Furnished by Supplier (Clause 7)

When requested, the supplier must provide:

• Source of supply: Exact locality, quarry or pit name.
• Trade group of principal rock type: For manufactured sand (ref: IS 383-1970 Appendix C).
• Particle size grading: As per IS 2386 (Part I) - 1963.
• Specific gravity of sand: According to IS 2386 (Part III) - 1963.
• Bulk density: As per IS 2386 (Part III) - 1963.

Supplier's Certificate (Clause 6.1):
Supplier shall confirm material compliance and furnish a certificate if requested.

Summary Table: Information to Furnish

Cost of Tests (Clause 6.4)

• Supplier pays if material fails standard.
• Purchaser pays if material complies.

This ensures transparency and traceability of aggregate quality in concrete production.