IS 9459:1980 specifies the requirements for apparatus, known as length comparators, used to measure length changes in hardened cement paste, mortar, and concrete. This standard covers the design, materials, construction, and calibration of devices employing micrometers or dial gauges to accurately assess drying shrinkage, moisture movement, and related dimensional changes in cement-based materials. It is essential for engineers and laboratories conducting precise length change measurements to ensure quality and durability of cementitious materials.
Overview
IS 9459:1980 specifies the requirements for apparatus, known as length comparators, used to measure length changes in hardened cement paste, mortar, and concrete. This standard covers the design, materials, construction, and calibration of devices employing micrometers or dial gauges to accurately assess drying shrinkage, moisture movement, and related dimensional changes in cement-based materials. It is essential for engineers and laboratories conducting precise length change measurements to ensure quality and durability of cementitious materials.
Audience
Contents
Structure
Scope:
| Part | Material | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Channel mild steel (IS:226-1975) | - |
| Yoke (Pillars) | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | Threaded for adjustment |
| Bracket | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | - |
| Reference Bar | Stainless steel | Ends heat-treated, hardened, and polished |
| Rubber Tube | Rubber | - |
graph LR
A[Base: Channel Mild Steel] --> B[Yoke: Threaded Mild Steel]
B --> C[Reference Bar: Hardened Stainless Steel]
B --> D[Micrometer Screw Gauge]
A --> E[Bracket: Mild Steel]
F[Rubber Tube] -.-> B
This standard ensures accuracy and uniformity in length change measurement apparatus for cement and concrete testing.
IS 9459: Apparatus Overview - Key Specifications
| Part | Material | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Channel mild steel (IS:226-1975) | - |
| Pillars (Yoke) | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | Threaded for adjustment |
| Bracket | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | - |
| Reference bar | Stainless steel | Ends heat-treated, hardened, polished |
| Rubber tube | Rubber | - |
graph LR
Base --> Yoke(Pillars)
Yoke --> Bracket
Bracket --> ReferenceBar
ReferenceBar --> MicrometerScrew
RubberTube -.-> Base
This setup ensures precise length change measurement conforming to IS 9459 standards.
IS 9459: Construction & Dimensions Key Points
Clause 3.3:
All dimensions are nominal unless specific tolerances are indicated. Tolerances follow general engineering practice.
Clause 4.1 & Table 1: Materials for Length Comparator
| Part | Material | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Channel mild steel (IS:226-1975) | ISLC 150 or ISMC 150 channel sections |
| Pillars | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | Threaded for adjustment |
| Bracket | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | - |
| Reference bar | Stainless steel | Ends heat-treated, hardened, and polished |
| Rubber tube | Rubber | - |
Special Notes:
Typical Dimension Notes:
graph LR
A[Base: Channel Mild Steel] --> B[Pillars: Threaded Mild Steel]
B --> C[Bracket: Mild Steel]
C --> D[Reference Bar: Hardened Stainless Steel]
D --> E[Micrometer Screw Gauge]
E --> F[Anvil: Cylindrical/Conical Recess]
G[Rubber Tube] -.-> D
Use this summary for design, material selection, and fabrication of length comparators per IS 9459.
IS 9459: Key Materials Specifications for Length Comparator (Clause 4.1, Table 1)
| Part | Material | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Channel mild steel (IS: 226-1975) | ISLC 150 or ISMC 150 channel sections |
| Pillars (Yoke) | Mild steel (IS: 226-1975) | Threaded for adjustment |
| Bracket | Mild steel (IS: 226-1975) | - |
| Reference bar | Stainless steel | Ends heat-treated, hardened, polished; Coeff. of thermal expansion ≤ 2×10⁻⁶ /°C; Diameter 20 mm; Length 150 or 300 mm ± tolerance; Ends machined to 6 mm spherical or balls fixed |
| Rubber tube | Rubber | Used as insulating cover on reference bar |
graph TD
A[Length Comparator] --> B[Base: Channel Mild Steel]
A --> C[Pillars (Yoke): Mild Steel, Threaded]
A --> D[Bracket: Mild Steel]
A --> E[Reference Bar: Stainless Steel, Heat-treated Ends]
E --> F[Rubber Tube: Insulation]
This ensures durability, dimensional stability, and accuracy in length change measurements of cement and concrete specimens.
IS 9459 - Marking Specifications Summary
| Marking Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Identification | Name or trademark |
| Date of Manufacture | Clearly indicated |
| Standard Mark | Optional, subject to BIS licensing rules |
flowchart TD
A[Apparatus] --> B[Mark Manufacturer Name/Trademark]
A --> C[Mark Date of Manufacture]
A --> D{Optional}
D --> E[Standard Mark (BIS)]
E --> F[License from BIS]
This ensures clear identification and compliance with IS 9459 marking requirements.
IS 9459: Calibration and Accuracy Key Points
| Part | Material | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Channel mild steel (IS:226-1975) | - |
| Yoke (Pillars) | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | Threaded for adjustment |
| Bracket | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | - |
| Reference Bar | Stainless steel | Ends heat-treated, hardened, polished |
| Rubber Tube | Rubber | - |
[ L_T = L_0 [1 + \alpha (T - T_0)] ]
Where:
graph LR
A[Reference Bar] --> B[Stainless Steel, Ø12mm]
A --> C[Length 150 or 300 mm ± tolerance]
A --> D[Ends: 6 mm spherical, hardened & polished]
A --> E[Central 100 mm insulated with 6 mm rubber tube]
A --> F[Calibration charts for temperature correction
1. Materials (Clause 4.1, Table 1):
| Part | Material | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Channel mild steel (IS:226) | - |
| Yoke (Pillars) | Mild steel (IS:226) | Threaded for adjustment |
| Bracket | Mild steel (IS:226) | - |
| Reference Bar | Stainless steel | Ends heat-treated, hardened, polished |
| Rubber Tube | Rubber | For insulation and handling |
2. Reference Bar (Clause 3.2):
3. Dimensional Tolerances (Clause 3.3):
4. Setup Overview:
graph LR
A[Base (Channel Mild Steel)] --> B[Yoke (Threaded Mild Steel)]
B --> C[Reference Bar (Stainless Steel)]
C --> D[Micrometer Screw Gauge]
C --> E[Rubber Tube Insulation]
[ L_T = L_0 \times [1 + \alpha (T - T_0)] ]
Note: All mild steel parts must have anticorrosive treatment
Materials for Length Comparator (Clause 4.1, Table 1):
| Part | Material | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Channel mild steel (IS: 226-1975) | - |
| Pillars (Yoke) | Mild steel (IS: 226-1975) | Threaded for adjustment |
| Bracket | Mild steel (IS: 226-1975) | - |
| Reference bar | Stainless steel | Ends heat-treated, hardened, and polished |
| Rubber tube | Rubber | - |
Additional Notes:
graph LR
A[Base: Channel Mild Steel] --> B[Pillars (Yoke): Mild Steel, Threaded]
B --> C[Bracket: Mild Steel]
C --> D[Reference Bar: Stainless Steel, Hardened Ends]
D --> E[Micrometer Screw Gauge]
B --> F[Rubber Tube]
For detailed dimensional tolerances and setup, refer to IS 9459 figures and IS 2102 (Part 1).
Key Specifications:
Material Protection:
Dimensional Tolerances:
Maintenance Guidelines:
Regular Cleaning:
Lubrication:
Calibration:
Storage:
| Part | Material | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Channel mild steel (IS:226-1975) | - |
| Yoke (Pillars) | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | Threaded for adjustment |
| Bracket | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | - |
| Reference Bar | Stainless steel | Ends heat-treated, hardened, polished |
| Rubber Tube | Rubber | - |
graph LR
A[Inspection] --> B[Cleaning]
B --> C[Lubrication]
C --> D[Calibration]
D --> E[Storage]
E --> A
Note: Following these care instructions ensures precision and longevity of the length change measurement apparatus as per IS 9459.
Materials & Corrosion Protection (Clause 4.1 & Notes)
Dimensional Tolerances (Clause 3.3)
| Part | Material | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Channel mild steel | ISLC 150 or ISMC 150 (IS: 226-1975) |
| Pillars/Yoke | Mild steel | Threaded for adjustment |
| Bracket | Mild steel | - |
| Reference Bar | Stainless steel | Ends heat-treated, hardened, polished |
| Rubber Tube | Rubber | - |
flowchart TD
A[Apparatus Components] --> B(Base: Mild Steel)
A --> C(Pillars/Yoke: Mild Steel, Threaded)
A --> D(Bracket: Mild Steel)
A --> E(Reference Bar: Stainless Steel, Heat-treated)
A --> F(Rubber Tube)
B & C & D --> G[Anticorrosive Treatment]
E --> H[Handle with Care]
For detailed dimension tolerances, refer to IS 2102 (Part 1):1980. Proper handling and corrosion protection ensure measurement accuracy
IS 9459: References and Related Standards Summary
Clause 3.3: All nominal dimensions should follow tolerances as per IS 2102 (Part 1): 1980 — General tolerances for linear and angular dimensions.
Related Standards Referenced:
| IS Code | Title/Description |
|---|---|
| IS 2102 (Part 1): 1980 | General tolerances for linear and angular dimensions |
| IS 1199:1959 | Methods of sampling and analysis of concrete |
| IS 2386 (Part VII):1963 | Methods of test for aggregate: Alkali aggregate reactivity |
| IS 4031:1968 | Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement |
| IS 2:1960 | Rules for rounding off numerical values |
| IS 226:1975 | Specification for structural steel (standard quality) |
| Part | Material | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Channel mild steel (IS:226-1975) | - |
| Yoke (formerly Pillars) | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | Threaded for adjustment |
| Bracket | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | - |
| Reference bar | Stainless steel | Ends heat-treated, hardened, polished |
| Rubber tube | Rubber | - |
[ \Delta L = L_0 \times \alpha \times \Delta T ]
Amendment No. 1 (Nov 1984):
Amendment No. 2 (Apr 1993):
| Part | Material | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Channel mild steel (IS:226-1975) | - |
| Yoke (Pillars) | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | Threaded for adjustment |
| Bracket | Mild steel (IS:226-1975) | - |
| Reference bar | Stainless steel | Ends heat-treated, hardened, polished |
| Rubber tube | Rubber | - |
graph LR
A[Base (Channel Mild Steel)] --> B[Yoke (Threaded Mild Steel)]
B --> C[Bracket (Mild Steel)]
C --> D[Reference Bar (Hardened Stainless Steel)]
D --> E[Micrometer End with Anvil]
B --> F[Rubber Tube]
Note: Use the latest amendments for accurate fabrication and compliance.
Frequently Asked
According to IS 9459 Clause 4.1 and Table 1, the required materials for constructing the length comparator apparatus are:
| Part | Material | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Channel mild steel (IS: 226-1975) | - |
| Pillars | Mild steel (IS: 226-1975) | Threaded for adjustment |
| Bracket | Mild steel (IS: 226-1975) | - |
| Reference bar | Stainless steel | Ends heat-treated, hardened, and polished |
| Rubber tube | Rubber | - |
This ensures durability, precision, and minimal thermal effects during measurement.
Reference Bar Calibration & Specifications (IS 9459)
Calibration process:
Loading diagram...
This ensures accurate, repeatable length measurements compensating for thermal effects.
According to IS 9459 Clause 3.1.1, the micrometer used in the length comparator must have:
Additional features:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Range | ≥ 10 mm |
| Least count | 0.002 mm |
| Accuracy | ±0.002 mm (per 0.020 mm) |
| Spindle type | Conical, for 6 mm ball |
This ensures highly precise measurement of length changes in cementitious materials as per IS 9459 requirements.
IS 9459 addresses thermal expansion accommodation in the measurement apparatus primarily through the reference bar design:
This design, combined with calibration charts, allows correction of length measurements for thermal expansion, ensuring accurate length change detection in cementitious materials.
Loading diagram...
Summary: Thermal expansion is managed by using a low-expansion reference bar, insulating it, and applying temperature-based calibration corrections.
According to IS 9459:1980, Clause 5.1, the apparatus must be marked with:
This ensures traceability and quality control of apparatus used for measuring length change in hardened cement paste, mortar, and concrete.
| Marking Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Identification | Name or trade-mark |
| Manufacture Date | Date of manufacture |
This minimal marking requirement aligns with standard practice to ensure equipment identification and manufacturing traceability.
If you need further details on other clauses or apparatus specifications, feel free to ask!
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