Specification for Standard Sand for Testing of Cement

IS 650: Scope & Key Specifications for Standard Sand

• Scope: Specifies requirements for standard sand used in cement testing to ensure uniformity and reliability of test results.

Particle Size Distribution (Clause 4.2)

• All sand must pass 2-mm IS sieve and be retained on 90-micron IS sieve.
• Sieves conform to IS 460 (Part 1): 1985.

Packaging & Marking (Clause 4.2)

• Sand fractions packed separately in 25 or 50 kg jute canvas bags (IS 10036 Part 2:1982) or metal containers.
• Bags must be sealed and clearly marked with particle size.
• Equal quantities of each size fraction in each supply.
• Certificate of conformity required if not bearing BIS Standard Mark.

Summary Diagram of Particle Size Distribution:

pie
    title Particle Size Distribution of Standard Sand (IS 650)
    "2 mm - 1 mm": 33.33
    "1 mm - 500 microns": 33.33
    "500 microns - 90 microns": 33.33

This ensures consistent sand grading for cement testing as per IS 650.

IS 650:1991 - Key Specifications & Tables for Standard Sand

Particle Size Distribution (Clause 4.2)

Standard sand shall pass 100% through 2 mm IS sieve and be 100% retained on 90 micron IS sieve with the following size fractions:

• Sieves must conform to IS 460 (Part 1):1985.

Packaging & Marking (Clause 4.2)

• Each size fraction packed separately in 25 kg or 50 kg jute canvas bags or metal containers.
• Bags must be sealed and particle size clearly marked.
• Equal quantity of each fraction in supply.
• Jute canvas conforms to IS 10036 (Part 2):1982.
• If not Standard Marked, a Certificate of Conformity from authorized lab must be inside each bag.

Additional Notes

• BIS holds copyright; reproduction requires permission.
• BIS regional offices handle standards queries.

This ensures uniformity and reliability of standard sand used in cement testing per IS 650.

IS 650: Terminology & Key Specifications for Standard Sand

• Particle Size Distribution (Clause 4.2):
  Standard sand must pass 100% through a 2 mm IS sieve and be 100% retained on a 90-micron sieve with these size fractions equally distributed (~33.33% each):

  Particle Size Range	Percent (%)
  2 mm to 1 mm	33.33
  1 mm to 500 microns	33.33
  500 to 90 microns	33.33

• Sieve Standards:
  Sieves used conform to IS 460 (Part 1): 1985.

• Packaging & Marking (Clause 6):

  • Each size fraction packed separately in 25 or 50 kg jute canvas bags (IS 10036 Part 2:1982) or metal containers.
  • Bags must be sealed and marked with particle size and standard mark or certificate of conformity.

• Purpose:
  Standard sand is used for testing cement consistency and strength.

Summary Diagram of Particle Size Distribution:

pie
    title Particle Size Distribution in Standard Sand
    "2 mm to 1 mm": 33.33
    "1 mm to 500 microns": 33.33
    "500 to 90 microns": 33.33

This ensures uniformity and repeatability in cement testing as per IS 650.

IS 650: Physical Characteristics of Standard Sand

The standard sand used for testing cement must conform to the following particle size distribution as per Clause 4.2:

• 100% must pass through 2 mm IS sieve.
• 100% must be retained on 90 micron IS sieve.
• Minor tolerance: Up to 1% retention on larger sieve or passing through smaller sieve in each fraction is allowed.

Packaging:

• Sand fractions are packed separately in 25 or 50 kg jute bags or metal containers.
• Each bag/container is marked with particle size and sealed.

Sieves Reference:

• Sieves conform to IS 460 (Part 1): 1985.

Summary Table (Particle Size Distribution)

| Particle Size (microns) | % by Mass |
|------------------------|-----------|
| 2000 - 1000            | 33.33     |
| 1000 - 500             | 33.33     |
| 500 - 90               | 33.33     |

This grading ensures uniformity and reproducibility in cement testing, replacing the older Leighton-Buzzard sand with Indian Ennore sand.

flowchart LR
    A[Standard Sand] --> B{Particle Size Distribution}
    B --> C[2 mm - 1 mm: 33.33%]
    B --> D[1 mm - 500 microns: 33.33%]
    B --> E[500 microns - 90 microns: 33.33%]

For detailed chemical and physical conformity, consult IS 650 full text and related BIS standards.

IS 650: Chemical Requirements for Standard Sand

Clause 5.1.1 Chemical Test Procedure:

• Dry sand at 100°C for 1 hour.
• Take 2 g of dried sand in a porcelain dish.
• Add 20 ml hydrochloric acid (HCl) + 20 ml distilled water.
• Heat on a water bath for 1 hour.
• Filter, wash thoroughly with hot water.
• Dry and ignite residue in a covered crucible.
• Calculate loss in mass = weight before acid treatment - residue weight after ignition.

Purpose:

• Ensures chemical purity of sand.
• Limits impurities like carbonates, organic matter, or soluble salts that affect cement testing.

Important Notes:

• Hydrochloric acid used should conform to IS 265:1987.
• Test sieves must conform to IS 460 (Part 1):1985.
• Sand grading and chemical purity directly influence cement strength test reproducibility.

Summary Table: Chemical Test

flowchart TD
    A[Dry sand at 100°C] --> B[Take 2g sand]
    B --> C[Add 20 ml HCl + 20 ml water]
    C --> D[Heat 1 hour on water bath]
    D --> E[Filter and wash]
    E --> F[Dry and ignite residue]
    F --> G[Calculate loss in mass]

This chemical test ensures the standard sand is chemically inert and consistent for cement testing per IS 650.

IS 650: Grading of Standard Sand for Testing Cement

Particle Size Distribution (Clause 4.2)

• Note: Each fraction may have up to 1% retention on the larger sieve and passing through the smaller sieve.

Physical Characteristics (Clause 4.1)

• Quartz sand, light grey or whitish.
• Angular grains approximating spherical shape.
• Free from silt.

Packaging (Clause 4.2)

• Packed separately by size fraction in 25 or 50 kg jute bags or metal containers.
• Marked with particle size and conformity certificate.

Summary Table for Grading:

This grading ensures uniformity and reproducibility in cement testing, aligning with RILEM and ISO standards.

IS 650: Sampling and Testing of Standard Sand for Cement Testing

Key Specifications (Clause 4.2):

• Particle Size Distribution:
  Standard sand must pass 100% through a 2 mm IS sieve and be 100% retained on a 90-micron IS sieve with the following grading:

• Tolerance:
  Up to 1% retention on the larger sieve or passing through the smaller sieve in each fraction is permitted.

• Sieves:
  Must conform to IS 460 (Part 1): 1985.

Packaging:

• Each size fraction packed separately in 25 or 50 kg jute canvas bags (IS 10036 Part 2:1982) or metal containers.
• Bags must be clearly marked with particle size and sealed.
• Equal quantities of each fraction per supply.

Testing Notes:

• Use standard sieves for grading verification.
• Confirm particle size distribution matches the specified percentages.
• Check for uniformity and reproducibility in cement testing results using this sand.

flowchart LR
    A[Standard Sand Sampling] --> B[Sieving through 2 mm IS sieve]
    B --> C[Retain particles between 2 mm and 1 mm (33.33%)]
    B --> D[Pass through 2 mm sieve]
    D --> E[Retain particles between 1 mm and 500 microns (33.33%)]
    E --> F[Pass through 1 mm sieve]
    F --> G[Retain particles between 500 microns and 90 microns (33.33%)]
    G --> H[Discard particles < 90 microns]

Summary: IS 650 mandates strict particle size distribution and packaging for standard sand used in cement testing to ensure consistent and reproducible results. Sampling involves sieving through specified IS sieves and verifying the graded fractions.

Packaging and Marking per IS 650:1991 (Clause 4.2)

• Packaging:

  • Standard sand is packed separately by size fractions.
  • Bag weights: 50 kg or 25 kg.
  • Bags: Jute canvas conforming to IS 10036 (Part 2):1982 or metal containers.
  • Bags/containers must be properly sealed.

• Marking:

  • Particle size fraction must be clearly and indelibly marked on each bag/container.
  • Each supply should contain equal quantities of each size fraction.
  • Standard sand may carry the Standard Mark.
  • If not Standard Marked, a Certificate of Conformity from the Concrete and Soil Research Laboratory, Tamil Nadu, must be inside each bag/container.

Particle Size Distribution Table (Clause 4.2)

• 100% passes through 2 mm IS sieve.
• 100% retained on 90 micron IS sieve.
• Sieves conform to IS 460 (Part 1):1985.

This ensures uniformity in grading and packaging for consistent concrete testing results.

IS 650: Storage and Handling of Standard Sand

Key Specifications (Clause 4.2)

• Packaging: Standard sand is packed in 25 kg or 50 kg jute canvas bags (IS 10036 Part 2:1982) or metal containers.
• Marking: Each bag/container must be clearly marked with the particle size fraction and may carry the Standard Mark.
• Particle Size Distribution (100% passing 2 mm sieve and retained on 90-micron sieve):

• Tolerance: Up to 1% retention on the larger sieve or passing through the smaller sieve in each fraction is permitted.

Handling Notes

• Bags/containers must be sealed properly to avoid contamination or moisture ingress.
• A Certificate of Conformity must be kept inside if the sand is not Standard Marked.
• Store in a dry, clean environment to maintain quality.

Summary Diagram of Particle Size Distribution

pie
    title Particle Size Distribution of Standard Sand
    "2 mm - 1 mm": 33.33
    "1 mm - 500 microns": 33.33
    "500 microns - 90 microns": 33.33

Remember: Proper storage and handling maintain sand purity and grading, critical for consistent cement testing results per IS 650.

IS 650: Certification and Conformity Key Points

• Packaging & Marking (Clause 4.2):

  • Standard sand is packed in 50 kg or 25 kg jute canvas bags (conforming to IS 10036 Part 2:1982) or metal containers.
  • Each size fraction is packed separately and clearly marked with particle size.
  • Each supply contains equal quantities of all fractions.

• Certification:

  • If the sand is not covered by the Standard Mark, a Certificate of Conformity from the Concrete and Soil Research Laboratory, Government of Tamil Nadu, must be included in each bag/container.
  • This certificate confirms compliance with IS 650 requirements.

• Standard Mark:

  • Standard sand may carry the BIS Standard Mark if certified.

Summary Table: Packaging & Certification

This ensures traceability, quality assurance, and conformity to IS 650 for standard sand used in cement testing.

IS 650: Notes and Annexures - Key Specifications & Tables

1. Particle Size Distribution of Standard Sand (Clause 4.2)

• 100% passes through 2 mm IS sieve.
• 100% retained on 90-micron IS sieve.
• Sieves conform to IS 460 (Part 1): 1985.

2. Packing & Marking (Clause 4.2)

• Standard sand fractions packed separately in 25 or 50 kg jute bags (IS 10036 Part 2:1982) or metal containers.
• Each bag/container must be indelibly marked with particle size.
• Equal quantities of each fraction per supply.
• Certificate of conformity required if not Standard Marked.

3. Notes

• Up to 1% retention on larger sieve and passing through smaller sieve permitted per fraction.
• Standard sand sourced primarily from Ennore, Tamil Nadu.

4. Reference Standards

• IS 460 (Test sieves)
• IS 10036 (Jute canvas)
• IS 2:1960 (Rounding off numerical values)

Summary Diagram: Particle Size Distribution

pie
    title Particle Size Distribution of Standard Sand
    "2 mm to 1 mm": 33.33
    "1 mm to 500 microns": 33.33
    "500 microns to 90 microns": 33.33

This ensures uniformity and reproducibility in cement testing using standard sand as per IS 650.