Concrete masonry units, Part 4: Preformed foam cellular concrete blocks

IS 2185 Part 4: Scope & Key Specifications

This part covers Preformed Foam Cellular Concrete Blocks with focus on measurement, physical properties, and testing.

Key Specifications & Measurement (Clause 9.2 & Annex B)

• Dimension Measurement:

  • Use a steel scale graduated in 1 mm divisions.
  • Measure 23 full-sized units for length, width, and height.
  • Measurement positions (see Fig. 1):
    • Length: 4 positions per block
    • Height: 6 positions
    • Width: 6 measurements

• Rounding Off: Follow IS 2:1960 for rounding test results to maintain significant figures.

Physical Properties Table (Clause 9.5)

Summary Diagram: Dimension Measurement Positions

graph LR
A[Block Length] -->|4 positions| Length
B[Block Height] -->|6 positions| Height
C[Block Width] -->|6 positions| Width

**Use this

IS 2185 (Part 4): Key References, Tables & Specifications

1. Physical Properties of Preformed Foam Cellular Concrete Blocks (Clause 9.5, Table 1)

2. Measurement of Block Dimensions (Clause 9.2, Annex B)

• Use steel scale with 1 mm gradations.
• Measure length at 4 positions.
• Measure height at 6 positions.
• Measure width at 6 positions.
• Minimum 23 full-sized units to be measured for length, width, height.

3. Referenced Indian Standards (Annex A)

IS 2185 (Part 4) — Key Definitions & Specifications

Definitions (General)

• Block Density (oven dry kg/m³): Mass per unit volume after drying.
• Grade: Designation based on compressive strength.
• Compressive Strength (N/mm²): Average and minimum strength of blocks.
• Thermal Conductivity (kcal/m/h/°C): Heat transfer rate.
• Water Absorption (%): Percentage increase in weight after immersion.

Table: Physical Properties of Preformed Foam Cellular Concrete Blocks

Measurement Specifications (Clause 9.2 & Annex B)

• Use steel scale graduated in 1 mm for dimensions.
• Measure length at 4 positions, height at 6 positions, and width at 6 positions on each block.
• Sample size: 23 full-sized units for length, width, and height.
• Report all results separately for each unit.

Diagram: Measuring Dimensions of Blocks

IS 2185 (Part 4) - General Requirements Summary

1. Physical Properties of Preformed Foam Cellular Concrete Blocks (Table 1)

2. Dimensional Checks (Fig. 1)

• Length: Check at 4 positions (whole blocks and cut specimens)
• Height: Check at 6 positions
• Width: 6 measurements

3. Testing Requirements

• Compressive Strength: Average & minimum individual strength as per Table 1 (Clause 9.4)
• Water Absorption: Average water absorption must not exceed Table 1 values (Clause 9.5)
• Reporting: Report all results separately for each unit (Clause 5.2)

Notes:

• Compressive strength tested as per Annex D.
• Water absorption tested as per Annex E.

flowchart TD
    A[Block Production] --> B[Dimensional Checks]
    B --> C{Length, Height, Width}
    C --> D[Length:

IS 2185 (Part 4) - Classification & Key Specifications for Preformed Foam Cellular Concrete Blocks

1. Classification (Clause 5)

• Blocks are classified based on oven dry density and compressive strength.
• Two main categories of blocks are defined by density and strength grades.

2. Key Table: Physical Properties (Table 1)

3. Dimensional Tolerances & Measurement (Clauses 4.4, 9.2, Annex B)

• Faces must be flat, rectangular, and parallel.
• Arises (edges) must be square.
• Bedding surfaces at right angles to faces.
• Measurements taken at multiple positions:
  • Length: 4 positions
  • Height: 6 positions
  • Width: 6 positions
• Use steel scale graduated in 1 mm.
• 23 full-size units measured for length, width, height.

4. Testing & Reporting (Clause 5.2)

• Report all test results

IS 2185 (Part 4): Key Specifications for Materials (Preformed Foam Cellular Concrete Blocks)

1. Block Density & Grades (Table 1)

2. Water Absorption (Clause 9.5)

• Determined per Annex E.
• Average water absorption must not exceed values in Table 1.

3. Thermal Conductivity (Clause 9.8)

• Must comply with Table 1 limits.
• Tested as per IS 3346.

4. Dimension Measurement (Clause 9.2, Annex B)

• Use steel scale (1 mm divisions).
• Measure length at 4 positions, height at 6 positions, width at 6 positions.
• 23 full-sized units measured per batch.

Summary Diagram: Dimension Checking Positions

graph LR
A[Length] -->|4 positions| L1
B[Height] -->|6 positions| H1
C[Width] -->|6 positions| W

IS 2185 (Part 4): Mix Proportioning Key Points

• Clause 7.1 & 7.2:

  • Mix design must ensure desired physical properties (strength, density).
  • Proportions are by weight, adjusting for moisture content in solid ingredients.

• Density & Strength Grades (Table 1):

• Mix Proportioning Formula (General):
  [ \text{Mix ratio by weight} = \frac{\text{Cement}}{\text{Sand}}/\text{Foam Volume} ] Adjust foam volume to achieve target density.

• Measurement Checks (Fig. 1):

  • Length: 4 positions
  • Height: 6 positions
  • Width: 6 positions

• Strength Testing:
  Follow Annex D for compressive strength test procedure.

Summary:
Design mix by weight, correct for moisture, target density per Table 1, adjust foam volume accordingly. Check dimensions at prescribed points for quality control.

IS 2185 (Part 4): Manufacturing Key Specifications & Tables

1. Block Physical Properties (Clause 9.5, Table 1)

2. Dimensional Measurement (Clause 9.2, Annex B)

• Length: Check at 4 positions on whole blocks and cut specimens.
• Height: Check at 6 positions on whole blocks.
• Width: Check at 6 positions.
• Use steel scale with 1 mm graduation.
• Measure 23 full-size units for length, width, and height.

3. Manufacturing Notes

• Use foaming agents as per Clause 9.5 Table 6.5.
• Follow IS 2:1960 for rounding off test results.
• Refer to related IS standards for materials and admixtures (e.g., IS 383, IS 456, IS 8112).

4. Summary Diagram: Dimensional Checks

graph LR
A[Block] --> B[Length

IS 2185 (Part 4) - Physical Requirements for Preformed Foam Cellular Concrete Blocks

Key Specifications (Table 1 Summary)

Measurement of Dimensions (Clause 9.2 & Annex B)

• Use a steel scale with 1 mm graduation.
• Measure length at 4 positions, height at 6 positions, and width at 6 positions on each block.
• Measure 23 full-sized units for length, width, and height.
• Report average dimensions per specimen.

Compressive Strength (Clause 9.4)

• Average and minimum individual compressive strengths must meet Table 1 values.
• Testing method as per Annex D.

Summary Diagram: Measurement Positions on Block

graph TD
    A[Block] --> B(Length - 4 positions)
    A --> C(Height - 6 positions)
    A --> D(Width - 6 positions)

**Use this data for quality control and specification compliance of foam cellular concrete blocks per IS 218

IS 2185 Part 4 — Dimensions and Tolerances for Concrete Blocks

Key Definitions (Clause 3.8)

• Width: External dimension at the bedding plane, measured perpendicular to length and height.

Measurement Procedure (Clause 9.2 & Annex B)

• Use a steel scale graduated in 1 mm divisions.
• Measure 23 full-sized units for length, width, and height.
• Measurements taken on:
  • Length: Longitudinal center line of each face.
  • Width: Across top and bottom bearing surfaces.
  • Height: At both faces (see Fig.1 in code).

Tolerances (Clause 4.2.3)

• Tolerances are specified for length, width, and height to ensure uniformity.
• Typical tolerances (example values, confirm from code):
  • Length: ±3 mm
  • Width: ±2 mm
  • Height: ±3 mm

Summary Table of Dimensions & Tolerances

flowchart LR
    A[Measure Length] --> B[Longitudinal center line]
    A --> C[Both faces]
    D[Measure Width] --> E[Top bearing surface]
    D --> F[Bottom bearing surface]
    G[Measure Height] --> H[Both faces]

Note: Always refer to the latest IS 2185 Part 4 for exact tolerance values and measurement methods.

IS 2185 Part 4: Sampling and Number of Tests

Sampling (Clause 11.1)

• Sample size: 23 blocks per lot of 10,000 blocks or part thereof, same size, grade, batch.
• Site/Yard manufacture: Sample size may be doubled.
• Sampling method: Arrange blocks serially, select every rth block starting from a random block, where
  [ r = \left\lfloor \frac{N}{23} \right\rfloor ] (N) = lot size.

Number of Tests (Clause 11.5 & Annex F)

• Number of tests corresponds to the samples taken.
• For drying shrinkage tests, refer to Annex F.
• Results must be rounded off as per IS 2:1960 rules, matching the decimal places of specified values.

Summary Table for Sampling:

flowchart TD
    A[Start: Lot of blocks (N)] --> B{Is manufacturing\nplant or site/yard?}
    B -- Plant --> C[Sample 23 blocks]
    B -- Site/Yard --> D[Sample 46 blocks]
    C --> E[Arrange blocks serially]
    D --> E
    E --> F[Select every rth block, r = floor(N/sample size)]
    F --> G[Perform tests on selected blocks]

This ensures statistically valid and random sampling for quality control.

Criteria for Conformity — IS 2185 (Part 4): 2008

1. Sampling & Testing (Clause 11.5.2)

From a lot of 23 blocks:

• 3 blocks: Block density test (Clause 9.3)
• 8 blocks: Compressive strength test (Clause 9.4)
• 3 blocks: Water absorption test (Clause 9.5)
• 3 blocks: Thermal conductivity test (Clause 9.8)
• 3 blocks: Drying shrinkage test (Clause 9.6) + Moisture movement test (Clause 9.7)
• 3 blocks: Reserved for retests if needed

2. Conformity Conditions (Clause 12.1)

The lot is conforming only if all conditions in Clauses 12.2 to 12.7 are met (e.g., dimensional tolerances, strength, absorption, shrinkage).

3. Key Physical Property Limits (Table from Clause 9.5)

IS 2185 Part 4: Marking of Concrete Blocks

Key Specifications on Marking (Clause 16.2 & 16.2.1)

• Each concrete block may be marked with the BIS Standard Mark.
• Use of the Standard Mark is regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986.
• Manufacturers must obtain a license from BIS to use the Standard Mark.

Measurement for Marking (Clause 9.2, Annex B)

• Overall dimensions (length, width, height) are measured using a steel scale graduated in 1 mm divisions.
• 23 full-sized units should be measured for dimensional accuracy.
• These units are also used for other tests.

Referenced Standards for Materials & Testing

Summary Table: Marking & Measurement

flowchart TD
    A[Concrete Block] --> B{Marking}
    B -->|Licensed| C[BIS Standard Mark]
    B -->|Unlicensed| D[No Mark]
    A --> E[Measurement]
    E --> F[Steel scale (1 mm)]
    E --> G[23 units measured]
    G --> H[Length, Width, Height]

This ensures quality assurance and conformity to IS 2185 Part 4 standards.

IS 2185 (Part 4) - Storage and Handling Key Points

1. Storage of Blocks (Clause 1.1)

• Store 3 blocks for drying shrinkage tests.
• Store 3 additional blocks or cut sections in airtight containers at normal room temperature for future tests.
• Cut sections facilitate easier storage.

2. Drying Oven Specifications (Clause 2.2)

• Internal volume ≥ 8 litres per specimen, min total 50 litres.
• Air-tight with a fan for effective air circulation.
• Temperature maintained at 50 ± 1°C.
• Relative humidity controlled at ~17% using saturated calcium chloride solution.
• Solution exposed area ≥ 10 cm² per litre oven volume.

3. Physical Properties Table (Clause 9.5 - Table 1)

4. Dimensional Checks (Fig. 1)

• Length: Check at 4 positions.
• Height: Check at 6 positions.
• Width:

IS 2185 (Part 4) - Testing Methods for Preformed Foam Cellular Concrete Blocks

Key Specifications & Procedures

• Testing Machine (Clause 1.1: D-1.1):
  Use a compression testing machine suitable for cellular concrete blocks.

• Specimen Selection (Clause E-2):

  • Use three full-size units for testing.
  • Balance sensitivity: within 0.5% of the smallest specimen mass (Clause 1.1: E-1.1).

• Dimension Measurements (Fig. 1):

  • Length: Check at 4 positions on whole blocks and cut specimens.
  • Height: Check at 6 positions on whole blocks.
  • Width: Check at 6 positions.

Compressive Strength & Physical Properties (Table 1)

Compressive Strength Formula (from Annex D)

[ f_c = \frac{P}{A} ]

• (f_c) = compressive strength (N/mm²)
• (