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IS 13642 : 1993Recommendations for Selection of Repair Materials for Concrete Structures

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EN 1504-9 · ACI 546R · ICRI 320.2R
CurrentSpecializedGuidelinesStructural Engineering · Demolition, Renovation and Repair of Structures
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OverviewValues5InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 13642:1993 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for recommendations for selection of repair materials for concrete structures. This standard provides guidelines for the diagnosis of damage in concrete structures and the selection of appropriate repair materials. It details the desirable properties for repair materials, such as bond strength, compatibility, and durability, and offers a framework for choosing the correct material and system for various types of defects.

Provides recommendations for the selection of appropriate repair materials for different types of concrete structures and defects.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Structural Engineering — Demolition, Renovation and Repair of Structures
Type
Guidelines
International equivalents
EN 1504-9:2008 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization), EuropeACI 546R-14 · ACI (American Concrete Institute), USAICRI 320.2R-2019 · ICRI (International Concrete Repair Institute), USAACI 562-21 · ACI (American Concrete Institute), USA
Typically used with
IS 456IS 383IS 2386IS 516
Also on InfraLens for IS 13642
5Key values2Tables4FAQs
Practical Notes
! A thorough diagnosis of the root cause of deterioration is critical before selecting a repair material. Simply patching a spall without addressing active corrosion will lead to recurring failures.
! Compatibility of the repair material with the parent concrete (in terms of thermal expansion, elastic modulus, and electrochemical properties) is paramount to ensure long-term performance.
! Proper surface preparation, including removal of all unsound concrete and cleaning of reinforcement, is as important as the repair material itself for achieving a durable bond.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4Diagnosis of Defects in Concrete StructuresCl. 5Desirable Properties of Repair MaterialsCl. 6Guide for Selection of Repair Materials and MethodsAnnex A - Classification of Damage and Defects in ConcreteAnnex B - Check-list for Diagnosis of Damage
Pulled from IS 13642:1993. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
concrete repair mortarsepoxy resinspolymer modified concreteshotcretegroutsprotective coatings

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 1504-9:2008CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures - Definitions, requirements, quality control and evaluation of conformity - Part 9: General principles for the use of products and systems
Provides the overall principles for assessing and selecting repair strategies, directly aligning with the selection focus of IS 13642.
ACI 546R-14ACI (American Concrete Institute), USA
HighCurrent
Concrete Repair Guide
A comprehensive guide covering evaluation, material selection, and application methods, similar to the advisory nature of the IS code.
ICRI 320.2R-2019ICRI (International Concrete Repair Institute), USA
HighCurrent
Guide for Selecting and Specifying Materials for Repair of Concrete Surfaces
Specifically focuses on the selection of repair materials, making it a very direct counterpart to the scope of IS 13642.
ACI 562-21ACI (American Concrete Institute), USA
MediumCurrent
Code Requirements for Assessment, Repair, and Rehabilitation of Existing Concrete Structures
A mandatory code that includes provisions for material selection within a broader framework of assessment and design for repairs.
Key Differences
≠IS 13642 is a high-level recommendatory document, whereas the EN 1504 series is a comprehensive, multi-part performance-based standard that specifies test methods and conformity requirements.
≠The international standards, particularly EN 1504, are structured around defined 'Principles of Repair' (e.g., concrete restoration, structural strengthening), which then link to specific material performance classes. IS 13642 lacks this structured, principle-based approach.
≠Being from 1993, IS 13642 is less detailed on modern materials and technologies (e.g., advanced polymers, migrating corrosion inhibitors, fibre-reinforced composites) compared to current ACI and EN standards.
≠International standards like EN 1504 provide clear, quantitative performance classes for materials (e.g., R4, R3, R2 for repair mortars), while IS 13642 provides qualitative recommendations (e.g., 'strength should be compatible').
Key Similarities
≈All standards emphasize that a thorough diagnosis of the cause and extent of deterioration is a prerequisite for selecting an appropriate repair material.
≈A core principle in both the IS code and international equivalents is the importance of ensuring compatibility between the repair material and the parent concrete substrate (thermal, chemical, and mechanical).
≈All documents categorize repair materials into similar broad groups, including cementitious mortars, polymer-modified mortars, polymer concretes/mortars (epoxy, polyester), and injection materials.
≈They all recognize the critical role of bond strength for the durability of the repair and recommend that the bond between the repair material and substrate be strong and durable.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Bond Strength (Pull-off Test)Recommends it to be adequate, with failure preferably in the substrate concrete, not the bond line. No absolute value specified.≥ 2.0 N/mm² for Class R4 structural repair mortar.EN 1504-3
Compressive Strength (28 days)Should be compatible with and generally slightly higher than the substrate concrete.Defined by class: R4 > 45 N/mm²; R3 > 25 N/mm²; R2 > 15 N/mm².EN 1504-3
Chloride Ion ContentAdvises limiting chlorides to prevent corrosion, typically by reference to standards for concrete constituents.≤ 0.05% by mass of dry mortar.EN 1504-3
Capillary AbsorptionRecommends low water absorption and permeability to protect reinforcement, but no quantitative limit is given.≤ 0.5 kg·m⁻²·h⁻⁰.⁵EN 1504-3
Modulus of ElasticityRecommends the modulus to be equal to or lower than the parent concrete to avoid stress concentrations.Required to be a declared value by the manufacturer; specific requirements for some repair principles (e.g., must be > 20 GPa for R4 mortars).EN 1504-3
Restrained Shrinkage/ExpansionStresses the importance of dimensional stability and compatibility to prevent cracking and debonding.After cycling, the repair mortar must show no cracking, delamination, or debonding, and retain a pull-off strength ≥ 1.5 N/mm² (for R3/R4 mortars).EN 1504-3
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values
Minimum bond strength (pull-off test)1.5 N/mm²
Coefficient of thermal expansion compatibilityShould be within 5 x 10⁻⁶ /°C of the parent concrete
Drying shrinkage limit for cementitious mortars< 0.1 %
Water permeability requirementShould be significantly lower than parent concrete
Chloride ion permeabilityShould be 'Very Low' as per standard test methods for durable repairs

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Guide for Selection of Repair Materials for Different Types of Repairs
Table 2 - Performance Requirements of Some Common Repair Materials
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Diagnosis of Defects in Concrete Structures
Clause 5 - Desirable Properties of Repair Materials
Clause 6 - Guide for Selection of Repair Materials and Methods
Annex A - Classification of Damage and Defects in Concrete
Annex B - Check-list for Diagnosis of Damage

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 456:2000Plain and Reinforced Concrete - Code of Pract...
→
IS 383:2016Coarse and Fine Aggregates for Concrete - Spe...
→
IS 2386:1963Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete -...
→
IS 516:2021Methods of Tests for Strength of Concrete - P...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

How do I choose between an epoxy and a cementitious repair mortar?+
Use epoxy for high-strength structural bonding like crack injection where moisture is controlled. Use cementitious mortars for general spall repair as they are more compatible with concrete and easier to apply. See Table 1 for guidance.
What is the most important property for a repair material?+
Good bond strength to the parent concrete and dimensional compatibility (low shrinkage and similar thermal expansion) are the most critical properties for a durable repair, as outlined in Clause 5.
Does this code provide a list of approved products?+
No, this is a performance-based guideline. It specifies the required properties a material should have for a given application, but does not endorse or list specific commercial products.
What is the first step in any concrete repair project according to this standard?+
The first and most crucial step is the diagnosis of the cause and extent of the damage, as detailed in Clause 4 and Annex B. Without a correct diagnosis, the selected repair may not be effective.

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