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IS 16759:2018 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for fine recycled aggregate for use in concrete - specification. This standard specifies the requirements for fine recycled aggregate (FRA) sourced from construction and demolition (C&D) waste for use in concrete. It covers material classification, physical and chemical properties, testing methods, and provides recommendations for replacing natural sand with FRA in various concrete applications.
Specifies requirements for fine recycled aggregates derived from concrete, masonry, or mixed debris, intended for use in concrete.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! FRA typically has higher water absorption than natural sand; this must be accounted for in mix design by adjusting water content to maintain the target effective water-cement ratio.
! The source of the recycled aggregate is critical. Ensure it comes from a reliable processing plant with quality control to avoid contamination from gypsum, plastics, or other deleterious materials.
! Start with lower replacement percentages (e.g., up to 30% as per Annex A for RCC) and conduct trial mixes to verify concrete performance before large-scale use.
BS EN 12620:2013British Standards Institution (BSI) / European Committee for Standardization (CEN), UK/Europe
HighCurrent
Aggregates for concrete
General standard for all aggregates in concrete, with specific categories and requirements for recycled aggregates.
JIS A 5021:2019Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC), Japan
HighCurrent
Recycled aggregate for concrete - Class H, M, L
Directly addresses recycled aggregates (both coarse and fine), classifying them by quality for concrete use.
GB/T 25176-2010Standardization Administration of China (SAC), China
HighCurrent
Recycled fine aggregate for concrete and mortar
Specifically covers fine recycled aggregates, mirroring the focused scope of the Indian Standard.
CS 3:2013Construction Industry Council (CIC), Hong Kong
MediumCurrent
Specification for Aggregates
A comprehensive aggregate specification that includes provisions and limits for the use of recycled aggregate.
Key Differences
≠IS 16759 classifies fine recycled aggregate (FRA) based on source: Type I (from concrete waste) and Type II (from mixed C&D waste). In contrast, standards like JIS A 5021 and GB/T 25176 classify aggregates based on performance/quality parameters (e.g., density, water absorption) into classes like H/M/L or I/II/III, regardless of the exact source.
≠The maximum water absorption limit in IS 16759 is significantly higher (≤ 10.0%) compared to other international standards. For example, JIS A 5021 requires ≤ 7.0% for its lowest grade (Class L fine aggregate), and GB/T 25176 requires ≤ 4.0% for its lowest grade (Class III).
≠IS 16759 is a standalone specification exclusively for *fine* recycled aggregate. The European (BS EN 12620) and Japanese (JIS A 5021) approach is to cover both fine and coarse recycled aggregates within a single, broader aggregate standard.
≠The requirements for deleterious materials, particularly chlorides, are less stringent in the IS code. IS 16759 allows up to 0.4% chloride content by mass of aggregate, whereas JIS A 5021 specifies a much stricter limit of 0.02%.
Key Similarities
≈All standards serve the primary purpose of enabling the safe use of processed construction and demolition waste as aggregate in new concrete, promoting circular economy principles in construction.
≈Key quality control parameters are common across all standards, including particle size distribution (grading), fines content (material passing 75-micron sieve), water absorption, density, and limits on chemical impurities like chlorides and sulfates.
≈All standards reference a separate series of national standards for the test methods required to verify compliance. For example, IS 16759 references the IS 2386 series, while BS EN 12620 references the EN 933 and EN 1097 series.
≈There is a universal recognition that the source and composition of the waste feed stock are critical to the final quality of the recycled aggregate. This is addressed either through source-based classification (IS 16759) or through performance-based classes (JIS, GB/T).
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Water Absorption
≤ 10.0 %
≤ 4.0 % (for Class III, lowest grade)
GB/T 25176-2010
Oven-dry Density
≥ 2.0 g/cm³
≥ 2.3 g/cm³ (for Class L fine aggregate, lowest grade)
Can I use recycled fine aggregate in reinforced concrete (RCC)?+
Yes, Annex A recommends up to 30% replacement of natural sand for RCC work (up to M25 grade), provided the FRA meets the quality requirements.
What is the maximum allowed water absorption for FRA?+
The maximum water absorption is 5.0 percent by mass as per Table 1.
Is a special mix design needed for concrete with FRA?+
Yes, the mix design must be adjusted for the higher water absorption of FRA to achieve the desired workability and strength. Refer to IS 10262 for guidance.
What is the maximum chloride content allowed in FRA for RCC?+
The maximum chloride content is 0.04 percent by mass of aggregate, as specified in Table 2.