IS 2185 Part 4:2008 establishes the specifications for preformed foam cellular concrete blocks intended for masonry works. It addresses blocks with densities between 800 and 1800 kg/m³, applicable for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls, defining material composition, physical and mechanical properties, dimensional criteria, testing protocols, and classification to guarantee product quality and performance.
Overview
IS 2185 Part 4:2008 establishes the specifications for preformed foam cellular concrete blocks intended for masonry works. It addresses blocks with densities between 800 and 1800 kg/m³, applicable for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls, defining material composition, physical and mechanical properties, dimensional criteria, testing protocols, and classification to guarantee product quality and performance.
Audience
Contents
Structure
This section defines the scope of preformed foam cellular concrete blocks, detailing dimensional measurements, physical properties, and testing requirements. It includes instructions on using precision steel scales for dimension checks at multiple specified points and outlines rounding rules per IS 2:1960.
Compilation of relevant Indian Standards referenced within IS 2185 Part 4, including tables of physical properties such as density, compressive strength, thermal conductivity, and water absorption for various grades.
Clarifies key terms such as block density in oven-dry state, grade classification, compressive strength parameters, thermal conductivity, and water absorption percentages.
Summarizes mandatory physical and dimensional criteria, including compressive strength thresholds, water absorption limits, and detailed measurement procedures for block dimensions.
Describes classification based on oven-dry density and strength grades, along with dimensional tolerance requirements, measurement methods, and reporting protocols.
Details materials used in the manufacturing process, including cement types, aggregates, and foaming agents, along with their required properties and compliance standards.
Provides guidelines on mix ratios by weight, adjusting for moisture content, and foam volume to meet target densities and strengths, including quality control dimension checks.
Outlines production parameters, dimensional measurement protocols, use of foaming agents, and references to related standards for raw materials and admixtures.
Specifies mandatory physical characteristics such as density ranges, compressive strength averages and minimums, thermal conductivity limits, and water absorption percentages.
Explains the measurement methodologies for length, width, and height, detailing the tolerances allowed to ensure uniformity and quality control.
Defines the sampling size, selection method from production lots, and the number of tests required to validate compliance, including site manufacturing considerations.
Describes the conditions that production lots must satisfy based on test results for density, strength, absorption, shrinkage, and other parameters to be deemed conforming.
Details the usage of the BIS Standard Mark on blocks, licensing requirements for manufacturers, and measurement protocols for marking verification.
Provides instructions on proper storage conditions for test specimens, drying oven specifications, and handling practices to maintain block quality.
Covers testing equipment specifications, specimen selection, measurement points, and detailed procedures for compressive strength, drying shrinkage, and thermal conductivity tests.
Frequently Asked
IS 2185 Part 4 specifies preformed foam cellular concrete blocks with densities ranging from 800 to 1800 kg/m³, suitable for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing applications. The corresponding grades are G-2.5, G-3.5, G-6.5, G-12, G-17.5, and G-25, each linked to specific compressive strengths, thermal conductivities, and water absorption limits to guide selection based on structural and thermal needs.
According to IS 2185 Part 4, non-load-bearing blocks with densities between 800 and 1000 kg/m³ correspond to grades G-2.5 and G-3.5 with nominal compressive strengths of 2.5 MPa and 3.5 MPa respectively. Load-bearing blocks, with densities from 1200 to 1800 kg/m³, fall into grades G-6.5 to G-25, having compressive strengths ranging from 6.5 MPa up to 25 MPa. The compressive strength is calculated by dividing the maximum applied load by the gross cross-sectional area of the specimen.
IS 2185 Part 4 permits the use of Portland cement, appropriate aggregates, and preformed stable foam generated from foaming agents compliant with Clause 9 of IS 9103. The foaming agents must produce stable foam cells resistant to physical and chemical stresses during processing, be non-toxic, non-flammable, biodegradable, and harmless to concrete and reinforcement. Typical foaming agents comprise hydrolyzed proteins, foam stabilizers, metal salts, and surface-active fluorotensides, ensuring strength, durability, and thermal performance.
While IS 2185 Part 4 prescribes measurement methods using a steel scale graduated to 1 mm and mandates measuring 23 full-size units for length, width, and height, it does not explicitly detail specific dimensional tolerances or surface finish criteria within the clauses provided. Generally, tolerances and finish are governed by related Indian Standards or project specifications, with rounding done as per IS 2:1960. Surface finish quality depends on manufacturing practices and may be subject to additional referenced standards.
IS 2185 Part 4 specifies that from a sample lot of 23 blocks, three are used for drying shrinkage testing and three for thermal conductivity evaluation, with an additional three reserved for retesting drying shrinkage if necessary. Drying shrinkage tests follow the method outlined in Annex F, measuring length changes under controlled conditions, with limits set at 0.05% for load-bearing and 0.08% for non-load-bearing blocks. Thermal conductivity is measured according to Clause 9.8, typically using steady-state or transient heat flow methods, ensuring compliance with the specified thermal resistance standards.
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