Code of practice for laying burnt clay brick flooring

IS 5766: Scope & Key Specifications

The scope of IS 5766 covers the design and construction of brick flooring. Key considerations include:

• Floor area to be covered.
• Nature of use (load and traffic conditions).
• Type and size of bricks used.
• Sub-grade details (soil or base layer).
• Type of bedding and jointing materials.
• Floor level relative to a datum.
• Openings location and size to be left in flooring.

Important Notes:

• Values and test results must be rounded as per IS 2-1960.
• The standard aligns with international practices but adapts to Indian field conditions.

Typical Data Table (Example):

This data guides planning and execution of brick flooring per IS 5766.

flowchart TD
    A[Start: Flooring Project] --> B[Determine Floor Area]
    B --> C[Assess Usage Type]
    C --> D[Select Brick Type & Size]
    D --> E[Check Sub-grade Details]
    E --> F[Choose Bedding & Jointing]
    F --> G[Set Floor Level]
    G --> H[Plan Openings]
    H --> I[Execute Flooring as per IS 5766]

IS 5766 - Definitions & Key Specifications Summary

Definitions (Clause 2.0)

• The standard defines terms specifically related to flooring materials and construction.
• Final test or analysis values must be rounded off per IS 2-1960 to the same decimal places as specified values.

Key Specifications:

• Base Concrete Thickness:

  • Light-duty floors: ≥ 75 mm
  • Heavy-duty floors: ≥ 150 mm (Clause 6.1.2)

• Cement Types Referenced:

  • Ordinary, Rapid Hardening, Low Heat Portland Cement
  • Portland Blast Furnace Slag Cement
  • Portland Pozzolana Cement

• Other Materials:

  • Lime Concrete and Lime Mortar (codes of practice referenced)
  • Burnt Clay Bricks (common, heavy-duty, paving bricks)

Rounding Off (IS 2-1960):

• Values are rounded to the same number of significant digits as the specified value.

Example: Rounding off per IS 2-1960

flowchart LR
    A[Floor Type] -->|Light Duty| B[Base Concrete ≥ 75 mm]
    A -->|Heavy Duty| C[Base Concrete ≥ 150 mm]
    D[Cement Types] --> E[Ordinary Portland Cement]
    D --> F[Rapid Hardening Cement]
    D --> G[Portland Pozzolana Cement]
    H[Materials] --> I[Lime Concrete & Mortar]
    H --> J[Burnt Clay Bricks]

For detailed design, consult IS 5766 clauses and referenced IS codes for material properties and testing methods.

IS 5766: Necessary Information for Planning and Execution

Key Data for Planning (Clause 3.1)

• Floor area to be covered
• Nature of use (light duty, heavy duty)
• Type & size of bricks (common, heavy-duty, paving bricks)
• Sub-grade details (prepared base for bedding mortar)
• Type of bedding and jointing
• Floor level relative to a datum
• Location and size of openings

Sub-grade Definition (Clause 2.3)

• Prepared base on which bedding mortar is applied.

Base Concrete Thickness (Clause 6.1.2)

Referenced Specifications

• Ordinary, Rapid Hardening, Low Heat Portland Cement
• Portland Blast Furnace Slag Cement
• Portland Pozzolana Cement
• Lime Concrete & Mortar Codes of Practice
• Common & Heavy-Duty Burnt Clay Bricks
• Paving Bricks
• Material Storage Recommendations

flowchart TD
    A[Planning Flooring Work] --> B[Determine Floor Area & Use]
    B --> C[Select Brick Type & Size]
    C --> D[Assess Sub-grade & Bedding]
    D --> E[Set Floor Level & Openings]
    E --> F[Decide Base Concrete Thickness]

This structured data ensures efficient execution and durability of brick flooring per IS 5766.

IS 5766: Materials Key Points

Base Concrete Thickness (Clause 6.1.2)

• Light duty floors: Minimum 75 mm thick base concrete.
• Heavy duty floors: Minimum 150 mm thick base concrete.

Cement Specifications Referenced

• Ordinary, Rapid Hardening, Low Heat Portland Cement (2nd revision)
• Portland Blast Furnace Slag Cement (2nd revision)
• Portland Pozzolana Cement (1st revision)

Aggregates (Clause 4.1)

• Must conform to IS 383-1963 (Coarse and fine aggregates for concrete).

Bricks and Mortar

• Common burnt clay bricks, heavy-duty bricks, and paving bricks have separate IS specifications.
• Lime concrete and lime mortar usage guided by respective codes of practice.

Rounding Off Results (Clause 0.4)

• Follow IS 2-1960 for rounding test results to match significant figures of specified values.

Summary Table: Base Concrete Thickness

This ensures durability and compliance with IS standards for flooring materials.

IS 5766: Handling and Storage of Materials – Key Points

Handling & Storage (Clause 5.1)

• Minimize handling: Plan brick delivery to reduce handling and damage.
• Storage space: Provide clean, dry, and covered storage areas.
• Cement & lime: Store under cover, protected from moisture.
• Standard compliance: Follow IS 4082-1967 for storage practices.

Flooring Base Thickness (Clause 6.1.2)

• Light duty floors: Base concrete thickness ≥ 75 mm
• Heavy duty floors: Base concrete thickness ≥ 150 mm

Brick Specifications (Clause 4.6)

• Light duty floors & dry pavements: Bricks per IS 1077-1966
• Heavy duty floors: Bricks per IS 2180-1962 or IS 3583-1966

Summary Table: Base Concrete Thickness

Important References

• IS 4082-1967: Storage of construction materials
• IS 1077, 2180, 3583: Brick specifications
• IS codes for cement and lime storage and usage

flowchart TD
    A[Material Delivery] --> B[Minimize Handling]
    B --> C[Unload Carefully]
    C --> D[Store in Clean, Dry Space]
    D --> E{Material Type}
    E -->|Cement/Lime| F[Store Under Cover]
    E -->|Bricks| G[Stack as per IS 4082]

Ensure proper planning and adherence to IS codes to maintain material quality and floor durability.

IS 5766: Key Points for Laying Flooring

Planning (Clause 3.1)

• Data to consider:
  • Floor area
  • Usage nature (load, traffic)
  • Brick type & size
  • Sub-grade details
  • Bedding & jointing type
  • Flooring level (datum reference)
  • Openings location & size

Coordination (Clause 3.3)

• Ensure proper communication between flooring workers and other trades to avoid conflicts.

Material Handling (Clause 5.1)

• Minimize brick handling to prevent damage.
• Store bricks in clean, dry space.
• Cement & lime must be stored under cover per IS 4082-1967.

Laying Base Concrete (Clause 6.1)

• Base concrete is laid as a stable foundation before brick flooring.
• Thickness and mix design depend on load and sub-grade.

Typical Bedding & Jointing (from IS 5766 & general practice)

Jointing: Joints filled with mortar or sand to ensure stability.

Summary Diagram

flowchart TD
    A[Planning] --> B[Material Storage]
    B --> C[Laying Base Concrete]
    C --> D[Bedding & Jointing]
    D --> E[Brick Laying]
    E --> F[Finishing & Curing]

For detailed mix proportions or thickness, refer to IS 5766 clauses on base concrete and bedding.

IS 5766 - Dry Brick Paving: Key Points

1. Brick Specifications (Clause 4.6)

• Light duty floors & dry brick paving: Use bricks conforming to IS 1077-1966 (Common Burnt Clay Building Bricks).
• Heavy duty floors: Use bricks conforming to IS 2180-1962 or IS 3583-1966.

2. Laying Method (Clause 7.1)

• Bricks are laid dry (without soaking in water).
• Orientation: laid flat or on edge.
• Bedding: on 12 mm thick mud mortar.
• Mud mortar prepared as per Clause 7.2 (typically a mix of clayey soil and water).
• Bricks can be laid in patterns such as plain, diagonal, herringbone, etc.
• No base concrete required for dry brick flooring.

3. Curing (Clause 6.5)

• For cement-lime mortar floors, curing starts 2 days after laying and continues for 7 days.
• For dry brick paving with mud mortar, keep wet for at least 7 days after completion.

Summary Table

flowchart TD
    A[Sub-grade] --> B[12 mm Mud Mortar Bedding]
    B --> C[Dry Bricks Laid Flat/Edge]
    C --> D[Patterns: Plain/Diagonal/Herringbone]
    D --> E[Finished Dry Brick Paving]

This ensures a durable, economical dry brick pavement as per IS 5766.

IS 5766: Curing of Brick Flooring

Key Specifications from Clause 6.5:

• Curing Duration:
  • For cement mortar floors: keep wet for at least 7 days after completion.
  • For cement-lime mortar floors: start curing 2 days after laying, continue for 7 days.

Purpose of Curing:

• Maintains moisture for proper hydration of cement.
• Prevents shrinkage cracks.
• Ensures strength and durability.

Recommended Curing Methods:

• Continuous sprinkling or ponding.
• Covering with wet gunny bags or plastic sheets.

Related Thickness Specifications (Clause 6.1.2):

Summary Table for Curing:

flowchart TD
    A[Floor Laying] --> B{Mortar Type}
    B -->|Cement Mortar| C[Start curing immediately]
    B -->|Cement-Lime Mortar| D[Start curing after 2 days]
    C --> E[Keep wet for 7 days]
    D --> E

Note: Proper curing is critical to achieve design strength and durability of brick flooring as per IS 5766.

IS 5766: Inspection and Quality Control - Key Points

• Rounding Off Results (Clause 0.4):
  Test results must be rounded per IS 2-1960. The number of significant digits retained should match the specified value's precision.

• Base Concrete Thickness (Clause 6.1.2):

  • Light-duty floors: ≥ 75 mm thickness
  • Heavy-duty floors: ≥ 150 mm thickness

• Material Specifications Referenced:

  • Ordinary, Rapid Hardening, Low Heat Portland Cement
  • Portland Blast Furnace Slag Cement
  • Portland Pozzolana Cement
  • Lime Concrete & Mortar Codes of Practice
  • Burnt Clay Building Bricks (ordinary, heavy-duty, paving)
  • Aggregates as per IS 383-1963

• Aggregates (Clause 4.1):
  Aggregates for base concrete and mortar must comply with IS 383-1963 for quality and grading.

Summary Table: Base Concrete Thickness

Quality Control Checklist:

• Verify material compliance with respective IS codes.
• Ensure base concrete thickness meets minimum requirements.
• Round test values according to IS 2-1960 rules.
• Use aggregates conforming to IS 383 grading and quality.

flowchart TD
    A[Material Selection] --> B[Check IS Specifications]
    B --> C[Aggregate Quality per IS 383]
    B --> D[Cement Type per IS 269/1489]
    C & D --> E[Mix Design & Preparation]
    E --> F[Base Concrete Thickness Check]
    F --> G[Inspection & Testing]
    G --> H[Round-off Results per IS 2-1960]
    H --> I[Final Quality Approval]

This ensures compliance with IS 5766 for inspection and quality control.