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IS 1125:1974 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for method of test for determination of weathering of natural building stones. This standard outlines the laboratory test method to determine the weathering resistance of natural building stones. It utilizes an accelerated crystallization test involving repeated cycles of immersion in sodium sulphate solution and oven drying to simulate the long-term degradation caused by natural environmental exposure.
Method of test for determination of weathering of natural building stones
! The sodium sulphate crystallization test is highly accelerated; 30 cycles in the lab simulate many years of natural environmental weathering.
! Handle specimens very carefully during the final weighing process, as heavily weathered stones become extremely friable and any lost fragments will skew the mass loss calculation.
! Ensure the drying oven maintains 105 ± 5 °C consistently, as lower temperatures can leave residual moisture and salt, affecting final mass accuracy.
natural building stonesstonemasonrygranitemarblesandstone
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
EN 12370:2019CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Natural stone test methods — Determination of resistance to salt crystallisation
Both standards directly address the determination of weathering resistance of natural stone using a sodium sulphate crystallisation test.
ASTM C88 / C88M - 18ASTM International, USA
MediumCurrent
Standard Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
Assesses material soundness via salt crystallization, but is designed for aggregates, not dimension stone, leading to different specimen preparation and evaluation.
DIN 52111DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung), Germany
HighWithdrawn
Testing of natural stone; crystallization test
Was the German national standard for stone crystallization testing before being replaced by the harmonized European standard.
NF B10-510:1989AFNOR (Association Française de Normalisation), France
HighWithdrawn
Building stone. Test methods. Determination of resistance to crystallization of salts.
Served as the French national standard for this test method prior to the adoption of the European Norm.
Key Differences
≠IS 1125 mandates a very high number of cycles (30), whereas EN 12370 specifies 15 cycles and ASTM C88 specifies only 5 cycles, making the Indian Standard significantly more severe in duration.
≠The test specimens differ: IS 1125 specifies 40 mm cubes. EN 12370 allows for 40 mm or 50 mm cubes. ASTM C88 is for graded aggregates, not dimension stone cubes, using specified size fractions.
≠IS 1125 uses a saturated solution of Sodium Sulphate. EN 12370 uses a specific 14% by mass solution of sodium sulphate decahydrate. ASTM C88 provides detailed procedures for both Sodium and Magnesium Sulphate saturated solutions.
≠The timing of immersion and drying within a single cycle varies significantly. IS 1125 requires 16-18 hours of immersion and 4 hours of drying, while EN 12370 specifies 2 hours of immersion and 16 hours of drying.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental principle is identical across all standards: to induce stress and simulate weathering by repeatedly forcing salt crystallization within the pore structure of the stone.
≈Sodium Sulphate (Na2SO4) is the primary or a permitted chemical reagent in IS 1125, EN 12370, and ASTM C88 for inducing crystallization.
≈The core test sequence of specimen preparation (drying to constant mass), repeated cycles of soaking and oven-drying, and final evaluation is common to all methods.
≈Mass loss is a primary quantitative metric for evaluating the extent of decay or weathering in all compared standards, even if the calculation and expression differ.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Number of Test Cycles
30 cycles
15 cycles
EN 12370:2019
Number of Test Cycles
30 cycles
5 cycles
ASTM C88 / C88M - 18
Specimen Shape and Size
40 mm cubes
40 mm or 50 mm cubes
EN 12370:2019
Test Solution
Saturated solution of sodium sulphate (Na2SO4·10H2O)
14% by mass solution of sodium sulphate decahydrate (Na2SO4·10H2O)
EN 12370:2019
Drying Temperature
105 ± 5 °C
105 ± 5 °C
EN 12370:2019
Immersion Period per Cycle
16 to 18 hours
2 hours
EN 12370:2019
Drying Period per Cycle
4 hours
16 hours
EN 12370:2019
Evaluation criteria
Visual examination and loss in weight
Mass loss percentage (and optional visual change or change in ultrasonic velocity)
EN 12370:2019
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
specimen dimensions50 mm cubes or cylinders (50 mm dia x 50 mm height)
number of specimens3
drying temperature105 ± 5 °C
immersion duration16 to 18 hours per cycle
number of cycles30 cycles
drying duration per cycle4 to 5 hours
Key Formulas
Percentage change in mass = [(M1 - M2) / M1] x 100 (where M1 = initial dry mass, M2 = final dry mass after 30 cycles)
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Selection and Preparation of Test Specimens