Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
IS 12727:1989 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for no-fines cast in situ cement concrete. This standard outlines the code of practice for cast-in-situ no-fines cement concrete. It covers material requirements, mix proportioning, formwork, placement, and properties of this special type of lightweight concrete, which is made without fine aggregates. No-fines concrete is characterized by its honeycomb structure, providing good thermal insulation and drainage properties, making it suitable for load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls.
Code of practice for no-fines cast in situ cement concrete
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Building Construction Practices incl. Painting, Varnishing
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! External walls made from no-fines concrete must be finished with a weather-resistant rendering to prevent rain penetration through the interconnected voids.
! Do not use vibration for compaction. The concrete should only be lightly rodded or tamped into place, as over-compaction will destroy the no-fines structure.
! Precise control of the water-cement ratio is critical; excess water will cause the cement paste to drain away from the aggregate, blocking the voids at the bottom of the lift.
Covers materials, properties, and applications of concrete without fine aggregate, analogous to no-fines.
ACI 522.1-13American Concrete Institute (ACI), USA
HighCurrent
Specification for Pervious Concrete Pavement
Provides mandatory specifications for pervious concrete, a modern application of no-fines technology.
BRE Digest 22Building Research Establishment (BRE), UK
HighWithdrawn
No-fines concrete
A historical but direct UK equivalent focusing on no-fines concrete for housing walls.
BS EN 206:2013+A2:2021British Standards Institution / European Committee for Standardization, UK/EU
LowCurrent
Concrete - Specification, performance, production and conformity
A broad concrete standard that classifies lightweight concrete by density, under which no-fines concrete falls.
Key Differences
≠Application Focus: IS 12727 primarily addresses cast-in-situ walls for buildings, focusing on load-bearing and thermal properties. Modern equivalents like ACI 522R focus on pavements and stormwater management, emphasizing permeability.
≠Mix Design: IS 12727 uses prescriptive volumetric ratios (e.g., 1:6, 1:8). ACI standards promote a performance-based approach based on paste volume, water-cementitious ratio, and target void content.
≠Reinforcement: IS 12727 explicitly prohibits the use of reinforcement in no-fines concrete. ACI 522R discusses the potential (though limited) use of reinforcement and the associated corrosion risks.
≠Performance Testing: IS 12727 focuses on compressive strength and density. ACI standards for pervious concrete introduce specialized tests for porosity (ASTM C1688) and infiltration rate (ASTM C1701), which are critical for its primary application.
Key Similarities
≈Fundamental Principle: Both IS 12727 and its international counterparts are based on creating a concrete with a high volume of interconnected voids by omitting the fine aggregate (sand).
≈Core Materials: The basic constituents are identical: Portland cement, single-sized coarse aggregate, and water. Both allow for the use of chemical admixtures.
≈Curing Importance: All standards emphasize that immediate and continuous curing (typically with plastic sheeting) is critical to prevent the thin cement paste coating on the aggregate from drying out and to ensure proper strength development.
≈Handling and Placement: All codes recognize the harsh, 'zero-slump' nature of the mix and require careful handling to prevent segregation and light compaction to ensure aggregate-to-aggregate contact without closing the voids.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Aggregate Size
Single size: passing 20 mm and retained on 10 mm IS Sieve.
Typically single size, with 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) being most common for pavements. Other sizes up to 19 mm (3/4 in.) are used.
ACI 522R-10
Mix Proportions (Cement:Aggregate by Volume)
Prescribed ratios of 1:6, 1:8, and 1:10.
Not prescribed by volume. Based on achieving target void content (15-25%) with w/cm ratio of 0.27-0.36.
ACI 522R-10
Typical 28-day Compressive Strength
5.0 to 10.0 N/mm² (MPa), depending on mix ratio.
3.5 to 28 MPa (500 to 4000 psi), highly dependent on mix design and application.
ACI 522R-10
Oven Dry Density
1600 to 1920 kg/m³.
1600 to 2000 kg/m³ (100 to 125 lb/ft³).
ACI 522R-10
Minimum Curing Period
Moist curing for at least 7 days.
Covered with plastic sheeting for a minimum of 7 days.
ACI 522.1-13
Formwork Stripping Time (Vertical Walls)
Not before 24 hours under normal weather conditions.
Generally 12-24 hours, following standard practice for vertical formwork (e.g., ACI 347R).
ACI 347R-14
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Typical aggregate to cement ratio (by volume)6:1 to 10:1
Typical dry density1600-1900 kg/m³
Recommended water-cement ratio0.38 to 0.52
Minimum 28-day compressive strength for 8:1 mix5.0 N/mm²
Minimum 28-day compressive strength for 6:1 mix7.0 N/mm²
Primary aggregate size20 mm or 10 mm single-sized
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Grading Requirements for Single-Sized Coarse Aggregate for No-Fines Concrete
Table 2 - Recommended Proportions for No-Fines Concrete Mixes
Table 3 - Compressive Strength of No-Fines Concrete Cubes at 28 days
It is a type of concrete composed of cement, water, and single-sized coarse aggregate, with no fine aggregate (sand), resulting in a structure with a large volume of interconnected voids.
What is a typical aggregate to cement ratio for no-fines concrete?+
A common ratio is 8:1 by volume, but it can range from 6:1 to 10:1 depending on the required strength (Table 2).
Can I use standard concrete aggregates for no-fines concrete?+
No, you must use single-sized coarse aggregate, typically 20 mm or 10 mm, that complies with the grading requirements in Table 1.
What is the primary application of no-fines concrete?+
It is primarily used for constructing load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls in low to medium-rise buildings due to its light weight and good thermal properties.