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IS 16389 : 2015Guidelines for use of demolished concrete and masonry waste as recycled aggregate in concrete

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BS EN 12620 · JIS A 5021 · BS 8500-2
CurrentSpecializedGuidelinesBIMMaterials Science · Green Building and Sustainability
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Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 16389:2015 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for guidelines for use of demolished concrete and masonry waste as recycled aggregate in concrete. This standard provides guidelines for using waste from demolished concrete and masonry structures as aggregate for new concrete. It classifies Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) and Recycled Masonry Aggregate (RMA), specifies their required properties, and recommends permissible replacement levels for various grades and types of concrete to promote sustainability.

Provides guidelines for the utilization of construction and demolition waste as recycled aggregates, promoting circular economy principles.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Green Building and Sustainability
Type
Guidelines
International equivalents
BS EN 12620:2013 · BSI / CEN (British Standards Institution / European Committee for Standardization), UK/EuropeJIS A 5021:2014 · JSA (Japanese Standards Association), JapanBS 8500-2:2023 · BSI (British Standards Institution), UKRILEM 2006 Report 31 · RILEM (International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures), International
Typically used with
IS 383IS 456IS 2386IS 10262IS 516
Also on InfraLens for IS 16389
6Key values4Tables4FAQs

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

Practical Notes
! Recycled aggregates exhibit higher water absorption than natural aggregates, which must be accounted for in mix design to maintain workability and water-cement ratio.
! The source of demolition waste is critical; avoid using materials from structures contaminated with chlorides, sulphates, or other deleterious substances.
! Recycled Masonry Aggregate (RMA) is generally weaker and has higher porosity than Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA), limiting its use to non-structural, lower-grade concrete applications.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4Terminology (RCA vs RMA)Cl. 5Sources and Processing of Demolition WasteCl. 6Properties of Recycled AggregatesCl. 7Use of Recycled Aggregate in ConcreteCl. 8Concrete Mix Proportioning
Pulled from IS 16389:2015. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
recycled aggregateconcretemasonrydemolition wastegreen building

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
BS EN 12620:2013BSI / CEN (British Standards Institution / European Committee for Standardization), UK/Europe
HighCurrent
Aggregates for concrete
Specifies properties of aggregates from natural, manufactured, and recycled sources for use in concrete, with annexes covering recycled aggregates.
JIS A 5021:2014JSA (Japanese Standards Association), Japan
HighCurrent
Recycled aggregate for concrete - Class H, M and L
Classifies recycled aggregates derived from concrete into three quality classes (High, Medium, Low) for use in new concrete.
BS 8500-2:2023BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
MediumCurrent
Concrete - Complementary British Standard to BS EN 206
Provides UK-specific guidance on using aggregates (including recycled) conforming to BS EN 12620, with strict limits on replacement levels.
RILEM 2006 Report 31RILEM (International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures), International
HighCurrent
Use of Recycled Materials in Buildings and Structures
A technical recommendation, not a formal standard, providing state-of-the-art specifications for concrete with recycled aggregates.
Key Differences
≠IS 16389 explicitly permits and provides guidelines for using recycled masonry waste (bricks, tiles), allowing up to 20% brick rubble for M25 grade concrete. Most international standards, like JIS A 5021, are far more restrictive, focusing almost exclusively on aggregate derived from crushed concrete.
≠IS 16389 sets a relatively high maximum water absorption limit of 10% for recycled coarse aggregate. In contrast, Japan's JIS A 5021 classifies high-quality 'Class H' aggregate with a water absorption limit of less than 3.0%.
≠The Indian standard provides broad guidelines for usage, whereas standards like the UK's BS 8500-2 are highly prescriptive, linking maximum recycled aggregate content directly to concrete strength, exposure class, and durability requirements, often limiting replacement to 20% for structural uses.
≠IS 16389 classifies recycled aggregate based on the source (concrete rubble, brick rubble). In contrast, JIS A 5021 uses a performance-based classification (H, M, L) based on density and absorption, and EN 12620 categorizes based on the percentage of different material types (e.g., Rc for concrete, Ra for mixed materials).
Key Similarities
≈All standards mandate strict control over contaminants like chlorides, sulfates, plastics, wood, and other deleterious materials, setting specific maximum limits to ensure the durability and safety of the final concrete.
≈There is a common emphasis on processing C&D waste through crushing, screening, and cleaning to produce a consistent and quality-controlled aggregate that meets specified grading curves and physical properties.
≈All standards acknowledge the higher water absorption of recycled aggregates compared to natural aggregates and require that this be accounted for in the concrete mix design, typically by pre-soaking the aggregate or adding extra water to achieve desired workability.
≈Most standards, including IS 16389, are more permissive regarding the use of Recycled Coarse Aggregate (RCA) than Recycled Fine Aggregate (RFA), as RFA has a more significant negative impact on water demand, shrinkage, and workability.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Water Absorption (Coarse Aggregate)≤ 10%Class H: < 3.0%; Class M: < 5.0%; Class L: < 7.0%JIS A 5021:2014
Los Angeles Abrasion Value≤ 50%Typically ≤ 40% (Category LA₄₀ is common for structural concrete)BS EN 12620:2013
Sulfate Content (as SO₃)≤ 1.0% by mass≤ 0.8% for acid-soluble sulfate (Category AS₀,₈)BS EN 12620:2013 (as applied in BS 8500-2)
Chloride Content (for reinforced concrete)≤ 0.15% by mass of aggregateThe limit is on the final concrete mix, but aggregate limits are derived. A common requirement is <0.06% for water-soluble chlorides.BS 8500-2:2023
Brick Rubble Content (for M25 Concrete)≤ 20% by mass of coarse aggregateGenerally prohibited or severely restricted for reinforced structural concrete. Often limited to <5% content in mixed recycled aggregate (RA).BS 8500-2:2023
Oven Dry Density (Coarse Aggregate)≥ 1650 kg/m³Class H: ≥ 2400 kg/m³; Class M: ≥ 2200 kg/m³; Class L: ≥ 2000 kg/m³JIS A 5021:2014
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Max Water Absorption (Coarse RCA)5.0 %
Max Impurities (Coarse RCA)3 % by mass
Max RCA Replacement in RCC (upto M25)20 %
Max RCA Replacement in PCC (upto M25)100 %
Max RMA Replacement in PCC (upto M20)20 %
Max Los Angeles Abrasion Value (Coarse RCA)45 %

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Physical Requirements for Coarse Recycled Aggregates
Table 2 - Physical Requirements for Fine Recycled Aggregates
Table 3 - Recommended Usage of Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) in Concrete
Table 4 - Recommended Usage of Recycled Masonry Aggregate (RMA) in Concrete
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Terminology (RCA vs RMA)
Clause 5 - Sources and Processing of Demolition Waste
Clause 6 - Properties of Recycled Aggregates
Clause 7 - Use of Recycled Aggregate in Concrete
Clause 8 - Concrete Mix Proportioning

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 383:2016Coarse and Fine Aggregates for Concrete - Spe...
→
IS 456:2000Plain and Reinforced Concrete - Code of Pract...
→
IS 2386:1963Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete -...
→
IS 10262:2019Concrete Mix Proportioning - Guidelines
→
IS 516:2021Methods of Tests for Strength of Concrete - P...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the maximum percentage of Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) I can use in RCC?+
For reinforced cement concrete (RCC) up to grade M25, a maximum of 20% of the natural coarse aggregate can be replaced with RCA (Table 3).
Can Recycled Masonry Aggregate (RMA) be used for structural concrete?+
No, IS 16389 does not recommend the use of RMA in reinforced or prestressed structural concrete. Its use is limited to plain cement concrete (PCC) up to grade M20, with a maximum replacement of 20% (Table 4).
What is the maximum allowable water absorption for coarse RCA?+
The maximum water absorption for coarse Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) is 5.0% by mass (Table 1).
Do I need to modify the concrete mix design when using recycled aggregates?+
Yes, mix design must be modified. Clause 8 states that due to higher water absorption, a two-stage mixing approach or adding extra water to compensate for absorption by the RA is recommended.

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