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IS 1443:1992 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for construction of masonry structures. This code of practice outlines guidelines for the proper construction of masonry structures. It covers the selection of masonry units, preparation of mortar, systematic laying techniques to ensure bonding, and adequate curing practices for long-term structural durability.
Specifies requirements for the design and construction of masonry structures using various types of masonry units.
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Structural Engineering — Building Planning and Design
! Bricks must be thoroughly soaked in clean water before laying so they do not absorb moisture from the wet mortar.
! Vertical joints in successive masonry courses must be properly staggered to avoid continuous vertical planes of weakness.
! Mortar joints should be uniformly raked out while the mortar is still 'green' to provide a mechanical key for future plastering.
masonrybricksmortarstonecement
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
TMS 602-16The Masonry Society (US)
HighCurrent
Specification for Masonry Structures
Provides detailed specifications for materials, quality control, and execution of masonry construction.
EN 1996-2:2006CEN (European Union)
HighCurrent
Eurocode 6: Design of masonry structures - Part 2: Design considerations, selection of materials and execution of masonry
Covers material selection, durability considerations, and the execution (workmanship) of masonry structures.
AS 3700:2018Standards Australia (Australia)
MediumCurrent
Masonry structures
A comprehensive standard covering both design and construction; its construction sections are equivalent in scope.
BS 5628-3:2005BSI (UK)
HighWithdrawn
Code of practice for the use of masonry. Materials and components, design and workmanship
Former UK code providing extensive guidance on materials and workmanship, a direct historical counterpart.
Key Differences
≠IS 1443 is highly prescriptive (e.g., specifying soaking times for bricks), while modern international codes like TMS 602 favor performance-based criteria (e.g., specifying a maximum Initial Rate of Absorption for bricks).
≠Mortar in IS 1443 is typically specified by volume proportions (e.g., 1:6 cement:sand). International standards (EN 1996, TMS 602) primarily define mortar by required properties like compressive strength, though proportion specifications are also provided as an alternative.
≠Modern codes like TMS 602 include detailed, tiered Quality Assurance/Quality Control programs. The approach in the Indian Standard is more generalized, focusing on basic supervision and checks without a formal tiered system.
≠IS 1443 provides a strict limit on the height of masonry to be constructed in one day (typically 1 to 1.5 m). Most international codes do not specify a fixed daily height limit, leaving it to be governed by site conditions, stability, and workmanship.
Key Similarities
≈All standards emphasize core workmanship principles: laying units on a full mortar bed, ensuring courses are level and plumb, and maintaining a consistent bond pattern throughout the structure.
≈There is a universal requirement for the preparation of materials, such as using clean masonry units and aggregates, and adjusting the moisture content of absorbent units before laying to ensure proper mortar hydration.
≈All codes mandate the protection of freshly constructed masonry from adverse weather conditions like heavy rain, freezing temperatures, and rapid drying from sun and wind.
≈The principle of curing masonry by keeping it moist for a specified period after construction is a common requirement to allow the cementitious mortar to achieve its design strength.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Mortar Joint Thickness
Nominally 10 mm, shall not exceed 15 mm. (As per similar code IS 2212)
Nominal bed joint thickness should be 10 mm, with a permitted range of 6 mm to 15 mm.
EN 1996-2
Pre-wetting of Clay Bricks
Bricks with water absorption between 5-10% to be wetted; bricks with >10% to be soaked until air bubbles cease. (As per similar code IS 2212)
Units with an Initial Rate of Absorption (IRA) > 1 g/min/in² (0.0016 g/s/mm²) shall be wetted to achieve a surface-damp condition.
TMS 602-16
Maximum Height of Wall per Day
The height of masonry shall be restricted to not more than 1.5 m per day.
Not explicitly limited; governed by stability during construction and prevention of mortar squeeze-out. Considered a contractor method.
TMS 602-16 / General Practice
Curing Period
Masonry shall be kept constantly moist on all faces for a minimum period of 7 days.
Newly laid masonry using cement-lime mortar shall be protected from moisture loss for 24 hours.
TMS 602-16
Raking Joints for Pointing
Rake out joints to a depth of 15 mm while the mortar is still green.
Rake joints to a uniform depth of 1/4 in. to 3/4 in. (6 mm to 19 mm) while the mortar is soft enough.
TMS 602-16
Mortar Proportions
Specified by volume of cement to sand (e.g., 1:4, 1:6), corresponding to strength grades.
Specified by type (e.g., Type N, S, M) with defined proportions of cement:lime:sand (e.g., 1:1:6 for Type N).
TMS 602-16
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use