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IS 11990:1987 Part 1 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for water bound macadam: part 1 aggregates. This standard specifies the physical and grading requirements for coarse aggregates, screenings, and binding materials used in the construction of Water Bound Macadam (WBM) road layers. It provides limits for strength, durability, shape, and size distribution to ensure a stable and well-compacted pavement structure.
Specifies requirements for aggregates used in the construction of water bound macadam (WBM) as a sub-base or base course in pavement layers.
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
aggregatescrushed stonegravelscreeningsbinding material
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
ASTM D2940/D2940M-17ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Graded Aggregate Material For Bases or Subbases for Highways or Airports
Specifies quality and grading requirements for aggregates used in pavement base and subbase layers.
BS EN 13242:2002+A1:2007BSI / CEN, UK / Europe
MediumCurrent
Aggregates for unbound and hydraulically bound materials for use in civil engineering work and road construction
Covers a wide range of aggregates for unbound layers, of which materials for WBM-type construction are a subset.
AASHTO M 147-17AASHTO, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Materials for Aggregate and Soil-Aggregate Subbase, Base, and Surface Courses
Defines requirements for graded soil-aggregate mixtures used in road base, subbase, and surface courses.
Key Differences
≠IS 11990 specifies separate materials for coarse aggregate and 'screenings' to be applied sequentially, which is characteristic of the WBM method. Modern international standards like ASTM D2940 focus on a single, dense-graded aggregate mixture that is self-binding upon compaction.
≠IS 11990 uses a combined Flakiness and Elongation Index (max 30%), a test method less common internationally. BS EN 13242 specifies Flakiness Index (FI) and Shape Index (SI) separately, while ASTM standards often don't mandate shape tests unless specified by the purchaser.
≠The Indian standard specifies Aggregate Impact Value (AIV) as a key measure of aggregate toughness. Most US and European standards have largely replaced AIV with the Los Angeles Abrasion (LAA) test as the primary indicator of resistance to degradation.
≠Grading requirements in IS 11990 are highly prescriptive, with three specific size gradations for coarse aggregates. International standards like EN 13242 offer a more flexible framework based on D/d (upper/lower sieve size) categories, allowing for a wider range of custom gradings.
Key Similarities
≈All standards require aggregates to be derived from hard, durable crushed rock, gravel, or slag and to be free from deleterious materials like clay lumps or vegetation.
≈There is a strong consensus on controlling the plasticity of the fine portion of the aggregate. IS 11990, ASTM D2940, and AASHTO M 147 all specify a maximum Plasticity Index (PI) of 6 to prevent instability due to moisture changes.
≈The principle of ensuring aggregate durability through abrasion resistance testing is universal. IS 11990, ASTM D2940, and EN 13242 all specify limits for the Los Angeles Abrasion (LAA) test, albeit with slightly different values.
≈All standards reference similar test methods for determining fundamental aggregate properties like particle size distribution (sieve analysis), plasticity (Atterberg limits), and soundness (sulphate soundness test).
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Los Angeles Abrasion (LAA) Value
Max 40%
Max 50% (can be adjusted by purchaser)
ASTM D2940/D2940M-17
Aggregate Impact Value (AIV)
Max 30%
Not typically specified; LAA is preferred.
ASTM D2940/D2940M-17
Combined Flakiness & Elongation
Max 30%
Not specified as a combined index. Flakiness Index (FI) is specified separately (e.g., FI₃₅).
BS EN 13242
Plasticity Index (PI) of Fines
Max 6 (for screenings)
Max 6
AASHTO M 147-17
Water Absorption
Max 2%
No absolute limit, but a value ≤ 2% is a common engineering requirement.
BS EN 13242
Sodium Sulphate Soundness Loss (5 cycles)
Max 12%
Max 12%
AASHTO M 147-17
Coarse Aggregate Size Class
Prescribed sizes, e.g., Grading 1 (63-90mm).
Categorized by nominal size, e.g., Unbound mixture 0/63.
BS EN 13242
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
Max Los Angeles Abrasion Value (Surfacing Course)40%
Max Aggregate Impact Value (Surfacing Course)30%
Max Combined Flakiness and Elongation Index30%
Max Water Absorption2%
Grading 1 Coarse Aggregate Size Range90 mm to 45 mm
Grading 2 Coarse Aggregate Size Range63 mm to 45 mm
Grading 3 Coarse Aggregate Size Range53 mm to 22.4 mm
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Physical Requirements of Coarse Aggregates for Water-Bound Macadam
Table 2 - Grading Requirements of Coarse Aggregates
Table 3 - Grading Requirements for Screenings
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Physical Requirements of Coarse Aggregates
Clause 4 - Grading Requirements of Coarse Aggregates