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IS 13990 : 1994precast reinforced concrete planks and joists for roofing and flooring

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EN 15037-1 · EN 13747 · AS 3850.1
CurrentSpecializedSpecificationBIMStructural Engineering · Planning, Housing and Pre-fabricated Construction
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OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 13990:1994 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for precast reinforced concrete planks and joists for roofing and flooring. This standard specifies the requirements for materials, dimensions, manufacturing, and testing of precast reinforced concrete planks and joists. These components are primarily used for constructing flooring and roofing systems in buildings.

precast reinforced concrete planks and joists for roofing and flooring

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Structural Engineering — Planning, Housing and Pre-fabricated Construction
Type
Specification
International equivalents
EN 15037-1:2008 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization), EuropeEN 13747:2005+A2:2010 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization), EuropeAS 3850.1:2015 · Standards Australia, AustraliaEN 1168:2005+A3:2011 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
Typically used with
IS 456IS 1786IS 383IS 516IS 269
Also on InfraLens for IS 13990
6Key values3Tables4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! These are often proprietary systems; always consult the manufacturer's specific design tables and erection guidelines.
! Proper handling during lifting and transport is crucial to avoid damage, as these elements are slender.
! Pay close attention to seating details on supports and the grouting between units to ensure composite action and load distribution.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4MaterialsCl. 5Dimensions and TolerancesCl. 6ManufactureCl. 8Transverse Load Test
Pulled from IS 13990:1994. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
precast concretereinforced concretecementsteel

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 15037-1:2008CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Precast concrete products — Beam-and-block floor systems — Part 1: Beams
Covers the 'joist' component of the system, specifying requirements for precast reinforced or prestressed beams.
EN 13747:2005+A2:2010CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Precast concrete products — Floor plates for floor systems
Covers the 'plank' component, specifically thin plates used compositely with in-situ concrete, similar to the IS system.
AS 3850.1:2015Standards Australia, Australia
MediumCurrent
Prefabricated concrete elements, Part 1: General requirements
Provides general requirements for all precast concrete, including elements used in floor systems, but is not specific to planks/joists.
EN 1168:2005+A3:2011CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
Precast concrete products — Hollow core slabs
Specifies requirements for hollow core slabs, a common and efficient alternative to the solid planks in IS 13990.
Key Differences
≠IS 13990 is a single, prescriptive standard for a complete system (planks and joists), while international practice, particularly in Europe, uses separate, performance-based standards for components (e.g., EN 15037 for beams, EN 13747 for plates), allowing more flexibility.
≠IS 13990 primarily deals with non-prestressed reinforced concrete. Many equivalent international standards and common practices (e.g., based on EN 1168 or PCI design guides) heavily focus on prestressed concrete, enabling longer spans and more efficient sections.
≠The minimum specified concrete grade in IS 13990 (M15, equivalent to 15 N/mm² cube strength) is significantly lower than that required by modern European standards (e.g., minimum C25/30, equivalent to 30 N/mm² cube strength for precast beams).
≠The IS standard specifies solid concrete planks. The most common international precast plank product is the hollow-core slab (covered by EN 1168), which is lighter and more material-efficient for the same depth and load capacity.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental structural concept of using precast linear elements (joists) to support precast slab elements (planks), often with an in-situ topping, is a common principle across all compared standards.
≈All standards mandate quality control during manufacturing and require type testing, including load tests on finished products, to verify structural capacity and deflection behavior against design requirements.
≈All standards reference parent codes for fundamental material properties. IS 13990 refers to IS 456 for concrete design, similar to how EN standards refer to Eurocode 2 (EN 1992-1-1).
≈Provisions for safe handling, storage, and erection are included in all standards to prevent damage to the units and ensure structural integrity during and after installation.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Minimum Concrete Compressive StrengthM15 (15 N/mm² cube strength)C25/30 (25 N/mm² cylinder / 30 N/mm² cube strength) for beamsEN 15037-1
Minimum Concrete Cover to Reinforcement (Mild Exposure)15 mm or bar diameter, whichever is greaterNominal cover based on exposure class; typically 20-25 mm for mild exposure (XC1) after accounting for construction deviationEN 1992-1-1 (referenced by EN 15037-1)
Standard Plank Thickness50 mm and 60 mm (solid planks)Typically 50-75 mm for composite floor plates; 150-400 mm for hollow-core slabsEN 13747 / EN 1168
Length Tolerance for Joists/Beams±6 mm±10 mm for length ≤ 3m; ±15 mm for length 3-6mEN 15037-1
Straightness/Camber Tolerance for JoistsL/300±L/300, but not more than 20 mmEN 15037-1
Load Test Criteria (Proof Load)Dead Load + 1.25 x Imposed Load, held for 24 hoursGenerally not a single formula; testing is tied to design verification with partial safety factors (e.g., test to failure or to a % of design ultimate load)EN 15037-1
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Minimum grade of concreteM20
Minimum cover to reinforcement15 mm
Maximum water-cement ratio0.50
Tolerance on length of plank/joist± 6 mm
Tolerance on width of plank± 3 mm
Tolerance on depth of plank/joist± 3 mm

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Permissible Tolerances for Precast Planks
Table 2 - Permissible Tolerances for Precast Joists
Table 3 - Minimum Cover to Reinforcement
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Materials
Clause 5 - Dimensions and Tolerances
Clause 6 - Manufacture
Clause 8 - Transverse Load Test

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 456:2000Plain and Reinforced Concrete - Code of Pract...
→
IS 1786:2008High Strength Deformed Steel Bars and Wires f...
→
IS 383:2016Coarse and Fine Aggregates for Concrete - Spe...
→
IS 516:2021Methods of Tests for Strength of Concrete - P...
→
IS 269:2015Ordinary Portland Cement - Specification
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the minimum grade of concrete specified for these precast elements?+
Grade M20 is the minimum grade of concrete to be used (Clause 6.2).
What is the minimum clear cover to reinforcement?+
The minimum clear cover to any reinforcement shall be 15 mm (Clause 6.1.2 & Table 3).
What is the main quality control test for finished planks and joists?+
The Transverse Load Test (Clause 8), which checks the element's strength and deflection recovery under a specified load.
What are the dimensional tolerances for the length of a plank?+
The tolerance on the specified length of a plank is ± 6 mm (Table 1).

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