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IS 15478 : 2004Precast Concrete Hollow Core Slabs - Specification

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EN 1168 · PCI MNL 120 · AS 3600
CurrentSpecializedSpecificationBIMStructural Engineering · Precast and Prefabricated Concrete
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OverviewValues8InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 15478:2004 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for precast concrete hollow core slabs - specification. This standard specifies the requirements for materials, manufacturing, dimensions, tolerances, and quality control for precast concrete hollow core slabs. It covers both reinforced and prestressed types of slabs used in floor and roof construction.

Specifies requirements for precast concrete hollow core slabs, including materials, manufacture, dimensions, tolerances, and testing.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Structural Engineering — Precast and Prefabricated Concrete
Type
Specification
International equivalents
EN 1168:2005+A3:2011 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization), EuropePCI MNL 120-17 · PCI (Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute), USAAS 3600:2018 · Standards Australia, AustraliaBS EN 1168:2005+A3:2011 · BSI (British Standards Institution), United Kingdom
Typically used with
IS 456IS 1343IS 383IS 1786IS 6006IS 2386
Also on InfraLens for IS 15478
8Key values2Tables4FAQs

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

Practical Notes
! Dimensional tolerances (Table 1) are critical. Non-compliance can lead to major issues during installation, affecting floor levelness and connection details.
! Verify the supplier's documentation, which should include design criteria, concrete grade, strand details, and handling instructions as per Clause 10.
! The code focuses on the product specification. The overall structural design of the floor/roof system using these slabs must be carried out as per IS 456 and IS 1343.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4MaterialsCl. 5ConcreteCl. 6Dimensional TolerancesCl. 7Physical RequirementsCl. 8Workmanship, Finish and AppearanceCl. 10Marking and Information
Pulled from IS 15478:2004. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
precast concretehollow core slabprestressed concretesteel

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 1168:2005+A3:2011CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Precast concrete products — Hollow core slabs
Directly equivalent product standard for the specification, requirements, and testing of precast hollow core slabs.
PCI MNL 120-17PCI (Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute), USA
MediumCurrent
PCI Design Handbook: Precast and Prestressed Concrete
A comprehensive design manual covering hollow core slabs, but not a product specification standard in the same format.
AS 3600:2018Standards Australia, Australia
MediumCurrent
Concrete structures
General concrete design code that includes sections and rules applicable to precast and hollow core slab design, not a dedicated product standard.
BS EN 1168:2005+A3:2011BSI (British Standards Institution), United Kingdom
HighCurrent
Precast concrete products — Hollow core slabs
The UK's national adoption of the European standard EN 1168, making it functionally identical.
Key Differences
≠Concrete strength is specified using 'M' grades (e.g., M40, representing characteristic compressive strength in N/mm²) in IS 15478, whereas EN 1168 uses 'C' classes (e.g., C40/50, representing cylinder/cube strength).
≠Fire resistance rating in IS 15478 is determined based on methods in IS 1642, while EN 1168 uses a more detailed method based on tabulated data, simplified calculations, or advanced calculation models as per Eurocode 2 (EN 1992-1-2).
≠IS 15478 specifies tolerances on the difference in camber between adjacent units, whereas EN 1168 provides tolerances on the actual camber value of a single unit against its calculated theoretical value.
≠Requirements for reinforcement cover in IS 15478 are based on exposure conditions defined in IS 1343, which differ from the more extensive exposure classes (e.g., XC, XD, XS) defined in the Eurocode system referenced by EN 1168.
Key Similarities
≈All standards recognize the same primary manufacturing methods for hollow core slabs, namely slip-forming and extrusion.
≈The fundamental design approach is based on limit state design principles, considering ultimate limit states (flexure, shear) and serviceability limit states (deflection, cracking).
≈All standards specify requirements for constituent materials (cement, aggregates, water, admixtures, prestressing steel) by referencing other national/international material standards.
≈There is a common emphasis on mandatory factory production control, quality assurance procedures, and routine testing of finished products to ensure compliance.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Minimum Concrete Grade (Prestressed)M40 (40 N/mm² characteristic cube strength)C30/37 (30 N/mm² cylinder, 37 N/mm² cube strength)EN 1168:2005+A3:2011
Length Tolerance (L ≤ 10 m)± 15 mm or L/1000, whichever is less± 10 mmEN 1168:2005+A3:2011
Width Tolerance± 5 mm± 5 mmEN 1168:2005+A3:2011
Straightness (Deviation from straight line in plan)L/750 or 20 mm, whichever is less6 mm for L ≤ 10m; 10 mm for L > 10mEN 1168:2005+A3:2011
Minimum Concrete Cover to Tendons (Moderate/Internal Exposure)30 mm (as per IS 1343 for 'moderate' exposure)Nominal cover typically 20-25 mm (Based on c_min,dur + Δc_dev for exposure class XC1 as per EN 1992-1-1)EN 1168 / EN 1992-1-1
Permissible Flexural Crack Width (Serviceability)0.2 mm (for Class 2 structures as per IS 1343)w_k = 0.2 mm (common limit for prestressed members in quasi-permanent load combination)EN 1168 / EN 1992-1-1
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values8

Quick Reference Values
Minimum grade for pre-tensioned slabsM35
Minimum grade for reinforced slabsM25
Maximum water-cement ratio0.45
Minimum cement content340 kg/m³
Permissible length tolerance±15 mm or ± L/1000, whichever is less
Permissible width tolerance±5 mm
Permissible depth tolerance±5 mm
Minimum clear cover to reinforcement20 mm (or as per IS 456/IS 1343 for durability, whichever is more)

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Permissible Dimensional Tolerances for Hollow Core Slabs
Table 2 - Permissible Deviations in Straightness or Camber
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Materials
Clause 5 - Concrete
Clause 6 - Dimensional Tolerances
Clause 7 - Physical Requirements
Clause 8 - Workmanship, Finish and Appearance
Clause 10 - Marking and Information

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 456:2000Plain and Reinforced Concrete - Code of Pract...
→
IS 1343:2012Prestressed Concrete - Code of Practice
→
IS 383:2016Coarse and Fine Aggregates for Concrete - Spe...
→
IS 1786:2008High Strength Deformed Steel Bars and Wires f...
→
IS 6006:1983uncoated stress-relieved strand for prestress...
→
IS 2386:1963Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete -...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the minimum grade of concrete for prestressed hollow core slabs?+
M35 as per Clause 5.1.
What is the maximum permissible tolerance in the length of an 8-meter long slab?+
±8 mm, as L/1000 (8000/1000 = 8 mm) is less than the absolute limit of 15 mm (Table 1).
Does this standard cover structural design?+
No, it is a product specification for manufacturing and quality. Structural design must comply with IS 456 and IS 1343.
What is the minimum cover to reinforcement specified in this code?+
Minimum cover should be 20 mm, but also must satisfy the durability requirements of IS 456 or IS 1343, whichever is greater (Clause 7.1).

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