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IS 1597:2000 (Part 2) is the Indian Standard (BIS) for construction of stone masonry, part 2: ashlar masonry. This standard covers the design and construction practices for ashlar stone masonry. It provides guidelines on material selection, precise stone dressing, mortar preparation, laying techniques, and curing required to achieve high-quality structural and architectural stone walls.
Code of practice for construction of stone masonry, Part 2: Ashlar masonry
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Structural Engineering — Building Construction Practices incl. Painting, Varnishing
BS 8000-3:2020BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighCurrent
Workmanship on construction sites. Masonry. Code of practice
Covers workmanship for all types of masonry, including natural stone, focusing on construction practice.
TMS 602-16The Masonry Society, USA
HighCurrent
Specification for Masonry Structures
Provides quality and construction requirements for masonry, including stone, intended for use in project specifications.
EN 1996-2:2006CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
Eurocode 6: Design of masonry structures - Part 2: Design considerations, selection of materials and execution of masonry
The 'execution of masonry' section provides a code of practice, though it is integrated with the Eurocode design framework.
AS 3700:2018Standards Australia, Australia
MediumCurrent
Masonry structures
A comprehensive standard for design and construction, with specific clauses for stone masonry workmanship.
Key Differences
≠IS 1597 specifies prescriptive volumetric mortar mixes (e.g., 1:3 cement:sand), whereas international standards like TMS 602 (referencing ASTM C270) or EN 1996-2 (referencing EN 998-2) more commonly specify mortar by performance properties (e.g., compressive strength class) or by prescriptive proportions that include lime.
≠IS 1597 provides highly specific rules for 'through stones' or 'bond stones' based on face area (e.g., one per 0.5 to 1.0 m²) and spacing. Equivalent standards tend to provide rules based on a percentage of the wall's face area or link bonding requirements to wall thickness and design calculations.
≠The Indian standard has very detailed classifications and requirements for different types of rubble masonry (Uncoursed, Random, Coursed) that reflect local quarrying and building traditions. International codes address similar concepts (e.g., random vs. squared rubble) but with less specific sub-classification.
≠IS 1597 mandates a continuous wet curing period of at least 7 days. Western standards like TMS 602 focus on protecting the masonry from extreme temperatures and rapid drying, with 'moist curing' for a shorter duration (e.g., 72 hours) typically specified only when required for specific conditions or high-strength mortar.
Key Similarities
≈All standards emphasize the fundamental principle of staggering vertical joints (breaking bond) to ensure the masonry wall acts as a cohesive structural unit.
≈A universal requirement across all codes is that stones must be laid on a full bed of mortar, and the core (hearting) of the wall must be solidly packed with mortar and smaller stones/chips, prohibiting voids or dry packing.
≈All standards recommend limiting the height of new masonry constructed in a single day (a 'lift') to prevent the weight from squeezing out fresh mortar in lower courses. The recommended heights are broadly similar.
≈There is a common requirement to wet or dampen absorptive stones before laying. This prevents the stone from rapidly drawing water out of the mortar, which is crucial for proper hydration and bond strength.
≈All referenced standards require that fresh masonry work be protected from adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, frost, and rapid drying from sun and wind.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Maximum Mortar Joint Thickness
Not to exceed 20 mm
For rubble, joints should be kept as small as irregularities permit; typically 10-20 mm is acceptable.
EN 1996-2 / General Practice
Max Height of Lift per Day
Generally restricted to 1 m
Should not normally exceed 1.5 m.
BS 8000-3:2020
Curing Period (Moist)
Kept moist for at least 7 days.
Protect from weather; moist cure for 72 hours if specified for high-heat conditions or high-strength mortar.
TMS 602-16
Depth of Raking for Pointing
Rake joints to a depth of 20 mm.
Rake joints to a depth of 15 mm to 20 mm.
BS 8000-3:2020
Through/Bond Stone Spacing (Horizontal)
1.5 m to 1.8 m apart in every course.
Bonders should be provided at a maximum of 1.0 m centres in every course (for walls up to 600mm thick).
BS 5390:1976 (Withdrawn, but representative practice)
Stone Preparation
Stones shall be sufficiently wetted before placing.
Dampen dry, absorptive units before laying.
TMS 602-16
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use