Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
IS 15830:2008 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for self-compacting concrete - guidelines. This standard provides guidelines for producing and using self-compacting concrete (SCC). It details the required properties of fresh SCC, such as filling ability, passing ability, and segregation resistance, and prescribes the specific test methods (like slump-flow, J-ring, and V-funnel) to verify them. The code also offers guidance on material selection and mix proportioning.
Provides guidelines for the production and use of self-compacting concrete, heavily reliant on superplasticizers.
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Admixtures and Chemical Products for Concrete
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! SCC performance is highly sensitive to water content and the quantity of fines; small variations can drastically alter flow properties. Strict quality control of materials and batching is critical.
! Formwork must be exceptionally well-sealed and braced to prevent leakage and withstand the higher hydrostatic pressure exerted by the fluid SCC.
! During the slump-flow test, observe the perimeter of the spread for a 'halo' of bleed water or mortar, which indicates potential instability and segregation issues in the mix.
EFNARC Guidelines 2005EFNARC (European Federation for Specialist Construction Chemicals and Concrete Systems), Europe
HighCurrent
The European Guidelines for Self-Compacting Concrete: Specification, Production and Use
Provides comprehensive guidelines on materials, mix design, and testing, which heavily influenced the IS code.
ACI 237R-07 (Reapproved 2021)ACI (American Concrete Institute), USA
HighCurrent
Self-Consolidating Concrete
Serves as a practical guide for properties, proportioning, testing, and application of SCC in North America.
EN 206:2013+A2:2021CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
Concrete — Specification, performance, production and conformity
Covers all types of concrete but includes specific classes and requirements for self-compacting concrete.
JSCE-F 541-2000JSCE (Japan Society of Civil Engineers), Japan
HighCurrent
Recommendations for Self-Compacting Concrete
Foundational recommendations from the pioneers of SCC, covering design, quality control, and execution.
Key Differences
≠IS 15830 provides recommended ranges for test results, whereas EN 206 and the EFNARC guidelines define formal classes for slump flow (SF1-SF3), viscosity (VS/VF1-VS/VF2), and passing ability (PA1-PA2).
≠ACI 237R places a greater emphasis on the use of Viscosity Modifying Admixtures (VMAs) to achieve robust segregation resistance, while IS 15830 focuses more on achieving this through high powder content and aggregate grading.
≠The acceptance criterion for passing ability in the J-Ring test is stricter in IS 15830 (step height difference ≤ 10 mm) compared to ACI 237R, which allows for a difference up to 1 inch (25.4 mm) before considering it 'minimal blocking'.
≠European standards define 'powder' as all particles < 0.125 mm, including fines from aggregates. IS 15830 primarily defines it as cementitious material and mineral admixtures, with a less explicit quantification of the aggregate fines' contribution.
Key Similarities
≈All standards define SCC based on its three fundamental properties: high filling ability, good passing ability through reinforcement, and high resistance to segregation.
≈The primary test methods for fresh properties are consistent across all standards, including Slump-Flow, V-Funnel, L-Box, and J-Ring, with very similar apparatus and procedures.
≈All documents are primarily 'guidelines' or 'recommendations' rather than rigid prescriptive standards, providing principles for mix design and performance targets.
≈The core mix design philosophy is similar, emphasizing a high volume of paste (achieved through high powder content and superplasticizers) and a controlled volume and grading of coarse aggregate.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Slump Flow Diameter
600 to 800 mm (typically 650-750 mm)
Class SF2: 660 to 750 mm (most common class)
EN 206 / EFNARC
V-Funnel Flow Time (T_v)
6 to 12 seconds
Class VF1: ≤ 8 sec; Class VF2: 9 to 25 sec
EN 206 / EFNARC
L-Box Passing Ability Ratio (H2/H1)
≥ 0.8 to 1.0
≥ 0.8
EN 206 / EFNARC
Slump Flow Time (T500)
2 to 5 seconds
Class VS1/VF1: ≤ 2 sec; Class VS2/VF2: > 2 sec
EN 206 / EFNARC
J-Ring Test (Blocking Assessment)
Difference in height ≤ 10 mm
Difference < 25 mm (1 inch) is 'No Visible Blocking'
ACI 237R-07
Segregation Resistance (Sieve Test)
Segregation Index ≤ 15%
Segregation Index ≤ 15% (Class SR2)
EN 206 / EFNARC
Maximum Nominal Coarse Aggregate Size
Generally limited to 20 mm
Typically 12.5 mm to 20 mm (1/2 to 3/4 inch)
ACI 237R-07
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
The slump-flow test, which measures the horizontal spread of the concrete. The target diameter is typically between 650 mm and 800 mm (Table 1).
How is the ability of SCC to flow through reinforcement checked?+
Using the J-ring test (measures the difference in height inside and outside the ring) or the L-box test (measures the blocking ratio). (Clause 6.3 & 6.4).
What is the acceptable flow time from a V-funnel?+
A V-funnel time (Tv) of 6 to 12 seconds is generally considered acceptable, indicating good flowability and viscosity. (Table 1).
What kind of admixtures are used in SCC?+
A new generation of polycarboxylate ether (PCE) based superplasticizers (or high-range water-reducers) are essential for achieving high flow without segregation. (Clause 4.3).