The 1983 edition of IS 10566 defines standardized testing procedures for preformed fillers used in expansion joints within concrete pavements and structural frameworks. It outlines methods to assess critical physical and mechanical characteristics such as recovery rate, compressive strength, extrusion, water uptake, density, bitumen content, and weathering resistance. This code serves as a vital reference for engineers and quality assurance specialists involved in the evaluation and selection of joint fillers made from materials like bitumen-impregnated fibers, cork, rubber, PVC, and epoxy.
Overview
The 1983 edition of IS 10566 defines standardized testing procedures for preformed fillers used in expansion joints within concrete pavements and structural frameworks. It outlines methods to assess critical physical and mechanical characteristics such as recovery rate, compressive strength, extrusion, water uptake, density, bitumen content, and weathering resistance. This code serves as a vital reference for engineers and quality assurance specialists involved in the evaluation and selection of joint fillers made from materials like bitumen-impregnated fibers, cork, rubber, PVC, and epoxy.
Audience
Contents
Structure
IS 10566 defines the scope and essential specifications for preformed expansion joint fillers in concrete applications. It covers precise measurement of length, width, and thickness, volume-based water absorption calculations, density tests, and recovery percentage evaluations. Specimens undergo 10 freeze-thaw cycles followed by drying to check for degradation. The standard adopts SI units such as metres, kilograms, pascals, and newtons and follows IS 2-1960 for rounding numerical data.
Key formula for water absorption (volume basis):
Water Absorption (%) = [(Volume after immersion - Dry volume) / Dry volume] × 100
This ensures dimensional precision, durability, and resilience of joint fillers in concrete structures.
Specimens must be cut into 100 mm × 100 mm squares using a metal cutting template machined from a 6 mm thick plate with tolerances of +0, -0.01 mm on length and width. Five specimens are to be taken from each sample. Cutting must produce clean, sharp, and square edges, with the template fitting extrusion molds precisely. Appropriate cutting tools as specified maintain specimen integrity.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Specimen Size | 100 mm × 100 mm |
| Template Thickness | 6 mm plate |
| Template Tolerance | +0, -0.01 mm (length & width) |
| Number of Specimens | 5 per sample |
| Edge Condition | Freshly and squarely cut |
This method guarantees uniformity and reliability in testing preformed fillers.
Five specimens per sample are cut using the 100 × 100 mm metal template with a tolerance of +0, -0.01 mm. Length and width are measured within the template area using calibrated instruments such as vernier calipers or micrometers, accurate to ±0.01 mm. Thickness is measured at multiple points with a thickness gauge or micrometer, and the average thickness is reported. Measurements should be performed under controlled conditions to prevent material deformation.
| Dimension | Instrument | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Vernier caliper/micrometer | ±0.01 mm |
| Width | Vernier caliper/micrometer | ±0.01 mm |
| Thickness | Thickness gauge/micrometer | Multiple readings, averaged |
Specimens are compressed to 50% of their original thickness (t₀) by applying load gradually at approximately 1 mm/min. After releasing the load, thickness (t₁) is measured at intervals: 10 minutes after the first load, 30 minutes after the first and second loads, and 1 hour after the third load. If recovery is less than 70%, the test is repeated.
Percentage recovery is calculated by:
Recovery (%) = (t₁ / t₀) × 100
Tests involve three compression cycles with recovery times in between to ensure accurate assessment of the material’s elastic behavior.
Specimens are compressed to half their original thickness at a steady compression rate of about 1.0 mm/min. The lateral extrusion of the specimen’s free edge is measured using a dial gauge with 0.02 mm precision. Extrusion in millimeters indicates the extent of lateral deformation under compression, a critical parameter for expansion joint filler performance.
Load per unit area (stress) is computed as:
σ = W / A
where W is the applied load and A is the cross-sectional area.
Specimens are dried at temperatures ≥ 20°C for 24 hours in a desiccator or oven (20 ± 2°C). Weighed before immersion, they are then submerged horizontally under 25 mm of water at 20 ± 2°C for 24 hours. After removing surface water, specimens are weighed immediately.
Water absorption percentage by volume is calculated as:
Water Absorption (%) = [10 × (W₁ - W₂)] / t
where W₁ is weight after immersion, W₂ is weight before immersion, and t is specimen thickness measured prior to the test.
After drying the specimen at ambient or controlled temperature (20 ± 2°C) for 24 hours, weight is measured to the nearest 0.1 g. Dimensions are recorded with 0.1 mm accuracy to calculate volume. Density (ρ) is calculated as:
ρ = Weight (kg) / Volume (m³)
Dimensions measured in millimeters are converted to cubic meters by dividing the product by 10⁹. Density values are expressed in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).
Bitumen is extracted using pure benzene in a centrifugal extractor following Clause 8.3.1. The fiber residue is dried to constant weight. Bitumen content percentage is computed by:
Bitumen Content (%) = [(Weight of original sample - Weight of dried residue) / Weight of original sample] × 100
Penetration of the recovered bitumen is measured as per IS 1203-1978, ensuring compliance with quality standards.
Recovered bitumen is subjected to penetration testing according to IS 1203:1978. Specimens are dried at ≥ 20°C for 24 hours, weighed, and measured for density. Penetration is measured at 25°C with a 100 g needle load applied for 5 seconds, and results are expressed in tenths of a millimeter (dmm). This test assesses the hardness or softness of bitumen extracted from joint fillers.
Specimens undergo accelerated weathering by exposure at 75 ± 1°C for 7 days, then are immersed in water at room temperature for 24 hours. Freeze-thaw cycles involve 10 repetitions followed by drying at ambient temperature for 48 hours. Specimens are inspected for signs of disintegration or deterioration.
This simulates long-term environmental effects to evaluate the durability of expansion joint fillers. Important SI units such as °C, seconds, kilograms, and pascals are used throughout testing.
Frequently Asked
While IS 10566 specifies various test methods for preformed fillers, it currently does not include detailed clauses for compression resistance testing. Generally, compression resistance tests involve applying a compressive load to a filler specimen, measuring its initial thickness (t₀), compressing it to a specified strain, and recording the load or deformation. Compressive stress is calculated as the applied load divided by the specimen's cross-sectional area. After unloading, permanent deformation (compression set) is assessed. Testing typically uses a Universal Testing Machine at a compression rate of about 5 mm/min with specimen sizes aligned to filler thickness. For precise procedures, refer to IS 1838 or updated standards covering materials like PVC and rubber.
Per IS 10566 Clause 4.4.1, the recovery percentage is calculated using the thickness measurements before and after compression:
Recovery (%) = (t₁ / t₀) × 100
where t₀ is the specimen's initial thickness and t₁ is the thickness after recovery post-compression. This measurement reflects the elasticity and resilience of the filler. A higher recovery percentage indicates superior ability to regain original dimensions after load removal, which is essential for durability. This test complements other property evaluations such as density and bitumen content.
IS 10566 specifies that bitumen content is determined by solvent extraction using pure benzene in a centrifugal extractor. Approximately 150-200 g of sample is soaked in benzene for 30 minutes to dissolve bitumen, followed by centrifugation and repeated washing until the solvent is clear. The fiber residue is dried to constant weight, and bitumen content is calculated by the weight difference between the original sample and dried residue as a percentage. Additionally, the recovered bitumen undergoes penetration testing per IS 1203-1978 to verify quality.
IS 10566 standardizes water absorption testing for multiple preformed fillers, including bitumen-impregnated fiber, cork, rubber, PVC, and epoxy. The method calculates water absorption based on volume rather than weight, emphasizing precise dimension measurements before and after immersion. Specimens are dried, weighed, and submerged horizontally under 25 mm of water at 20 ± 2°C for 24 hours. Water absorption percentage by volume is computed as the relative increase in volume after immersion. The procedure is adaptable and may be refined for specific materials like PVC or rubber to ensure consistent evaluation across filler types.
Extrusion measurement evaluates the lateral deformation of a preformed filler’s free edge under compressive load, a critical factor in joint performance integrity. According to IS 10566 Clause 5.4, the specimen is compressed to 50% of its original thickness at a steady rate around 1.0 mm/min. The maximum lateral movement (extrusion) of the free edge is measured using a dial gauge with 0.02 mm accuracy. This test helps ensure fillers do not deform excessively, maintaining joint functionality under stress.
Ask AI about any clause, requirement, or provision in IS 10566. Get instant, clause-cited responses powered by our indexed library.
Free tier includes 150 queries (50 AI + 100 Reference) · No credit card required