IS 2116:1980 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for sand for masonry mortars - specification. This standard specifies the requirements for naturally occurring sands, crushed stone sands, and crushed gravel sands used in the preparation of masonry mortars. It covers the required quality, particle size grading, and maximum limits for deleterious materials to ensure optimum workability and mortar strength.
Sand for masonry mortars - Specification
Key reference values — verify against the current code edition / project specification.
| Reference | Value | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Sand for masonry mortars | Scope |
| Grading | Within specified grading limits | Acceptance |
| Clay/silt/fines | Limited deleterious content | Acceptance |
| Use | Fine aggregate for masonry mortar | Application |
| Read with | IS 1542 (plaster sand) / IS 383 / IS 2250 | Cross-ref |
IS 2116:1980 is the Indian Standard Specification for Sand for Masonry Mortars. It defines acceptance limits for sand used in cement / cement-lime mortar for brick laying, block-work, plaster-base-coat, and similar masonry applications.
Use it when: - Specifying sand procurement for any masonry work — building construction, infrastructure, repair - Auditing sand quality from a new source / supplier - Investigating mortar problems — bond failure, excessive shrinkage, efflorescence often trace to sand quality - Specifying for tender BOQ — 'sand for masonry mortar conforming to IS 2116' is the standard language
Companion code: IS 1542:1992 — Sand for plaster (for the plaster top coats); slightly different particle-size limits, lower silt limit.
Distinct from: - IS 383:2016 — Aggregates for concrete (different particle size range; for structural concrete) - IS 1542:1992 — Sand for plaster - IS 2386 series — Methods of test for aggregates (referenced by IS 2116 for testing)
The acceptance criteria in IS 2116 are less stringent than for concrete sand (IS 383) — mortar uses much less sand per unit volume, so sand quality has less impact on overall strength. But for visual / non-structural masonry, sand quality affects appearance + workability significantly.
Particle size distribution (Clause 4):
| IS Sieve | % passing | |---|---| | 4.75 mm | 100 | | 2.36 mm | 90-100 | | 1.18 mm | 70-100 | | 600 micron | 40-100 | | 300 micron | 5-70 | | 150 micron | 0-15 | | 75 micron | 0-5 |
Fineness Modulus: typically 2.0-3.0 for masonry sand. Higher FM = coarser sand; suits stronger mortars + brick / block work. Lower FM = finer sand; better for thinner mortar joints + plaster basework.
Silt / clay content (Clause 5): ≤ 8% by mass (much more lenient than concrete sand limit of 3%). The silt content reduces mortar strength but doesn't catastrophically affect masonry — minor strength reduction is acceptable since masonry mortar is much weaker than the brick / block anyway.
Organic impurity (Clause 5.2): per IS 2386 Part 2 colorimetric test; should not be darker than reference standard.
Chloride content (Clause 5.3): ≤ 0.06% by mass of dry sand (very strict — chloride from sea-sand can cause efflorescence + corrode any embedded reinforcement / nails).
Sulphate content (Clause 5.4): ≤ 0.4% by mass of dry sand (prevents sulphate attack on cement + delayed expansion).
Hardness — informal test: scratch with finger nail — should not scratch off easily; should feel gritty (not soapy / smooth).
Visual inspection: should be free of significant amounts of mica (shiny flakes — makes weak mortar), shells (saline / coastal contamination), iron pyrites (cause staining).
River sand (alluvial, washed by river action): - The traditional Indian masonry sand - Rounded particles; good workability - Naturally washed clean; low silt content - Quality varies by source — Yamuna, Ganga, Krishna, Godavari sands are well-known sources - Heavily restricted post-2018 by environmental regulations in many states (Kerala, TN, Karnataka, MP, UP, Maharashtra all have varying degrees of river-sand mining bans)
M-sand (Manufactured Sand) from crushed stone: - Produced by crushing rock + screening to sand-size particles - Angular particles; gives slightly less workable mortar - Higher fines content (5-10% typical) — can be at upper IS 2116 limit - Increasing market share since river-sand bans - Cost ~₹500-1500 per cubic metre vs ₹800-2000 for river sand
Sea sand / dune sand: - Coastal regions traditional supply - High chloride content — needs washing before use - Generally suitable for masonry only AFTER washing reduces chloride below 0.06% - Higher salt content makes it unsuitable for structural / reinforced applications
Pit sand / hill sand: - Sub-surface sand from quarry pits - Higher silt + organic content typically - Pre-procurement washing usually needed - Variable quality — pre-qualify each source
Recycled / processed sand: - From demolition waste processing - Quality depends entirely on source + processing - Emerging market; specific specifications often referenced
Testing requirements — for any new source: - Sieve analysis per IS 2386 Part 1 - Silt/clay content per IS 2386 Part 2 (washing through 75 micron + decantation) - Chloride content per chemical analysis - Sulphate content per chemical analysis - Visual inspection for impurities
Problem: 5000 m² brick wall for a residential development; need to specify sand for the cement-sand mortar (1:6 mix for non-load-bearing; 1:4 for load-bearing).
Step 1 — Estimate sand quantity: For 1:6 mortar: dry materials = 1 part cement + 6 parts sand = 7 parts total. With ~50 L mortar per m² of 200 mm wall (typical estimate), and 5000 m² = 250 m³ mortar. Sand per m³ mortar = (6/7) × 1.5 × 1000 = ~1285 kg/m³ (with bulking factor 1.5 for moist sand vs compacted state). Total sand = 250 × 1285 = ~321,000 kg = ~321 tonnes.
Step 2 — Specification: Writing in BOQ: 'Sand for masonry mortar conforming to IS 2116:1980. Acceptance limits: - Fineness Modulus: 2.0-3.0 - Particle size distribution per Table 1 of IS 2116 - Silt content (by sedimentation): ≤ 8% - Chloride content (by mass of dry sand): ≤ 0.06% - Sulphate content (by mass of dry sand): ≤ 0.4% - Organic impurity colorimetric test: pass per IS 2386 Part 2'
Step 3 — Pre-procurement testing: Require supplier to provide test certificate from NABL-accredited lab; sample test 1 in 50 truckloads at independent lab.
Step 4 — Source acceptance: - Wahi river-sand (premium): ~₹2,000/m³ (if available) - Local quarry M-sand: ~₹1,200/m³ - Washed pit-sand: ~₹900/m³ (subject to test certificate)
Step 5 — Decision: For 321 tonnes at ~2 m³ per tonne = 642 m³. - M-sand: 642 × ₹1,200 = ₹7.7 lakh - River sand: 642 × ₹2,000 = ₹12.8 lakh M-sand savings: ₹5.1 lakh. Specify M-sand with pre-qualification testing.
Step 6 — Site QC: Visual + sieve analysis on every truckload during the project (~50-100 truckloads); reject non-conforming.
1. Using IS 383 (concrete sand) criteria for masonry sand — IS 383 limits are stricter; using them for masonry adds cost without benefit. IS 2116 limits are appropriate for mortar applications.
2. Skipping silt/clay test — even visually 'clean' sand can have 10-15% silt by mass. Manual visual inspection isn't reliable for silt content; do the formal washing test per IS 2386 Part 2.
3. Salt contamination — coastal / dune sand without proper washing carries high chloride. Even masonry mortar with high chloride causes: - Efflorescence on visible walls - Corrosion of any embedded steel (lintel bands, ties) - Stained / discoloured finished walls
4. Mixing M-sand + river sand without testing — blends from different sources have unpredictable behaviour. Blend at controlled ratio (e.g., 70% M-sand + 30% river sand for better workability) + test the blend.
5. Using too-fine sand for thick mortar joints — fine sand creates dense, water-retentive mortar; works well for thin plaster but causes weak joints with too much water-bleed. Specify FM 2.5-3.0 for brick / block work; FM 2.0-2.4 for plaster.
6. No site QC — accepting sand on "contractor's word" without periodic testing means the actual sand used could be very different from specified. Sample test every 5,000 m² of construction.
7. Stockpiling sand in rain / sun — moisture absorbed varies; bulking changes; field measurements become unreliable. Cover sand piles + use only certified-quality material.
8. Mixing river sand fresh-from-pit with stockpiled — fresh river sand has different moisture content + may have higher silt (not yet washed). Always test fresh source separately.
9. No documentation of sand source / quality — when masonry has problems years later (cracks, efflorescence, dampness), tracing back to sand source becomes impossible without records. Document source + test results for every supply.
IS 2116:1980 is 45 years old but functionally adequate. The acceptance limits are practical and widely applied in Indian masonry construction. Minor amendments since 1980 have updated chloride/sulphate test methods.
Indian masonry sand market reality (2026): - River sand: increasingly scarce + expensive due to environmental restrictions. Premium pricing (₹1,500-3,000/m³ where available). Quality typically excellent. - M-sand: dominant market share now in many states. Quality varies by quarry; pre-qualify each source. Pricing ₹800-1,800/m³. - Sea / dune sand: regional supply in coastal Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Kerala, Maharashtra. Requires washing; quality acceptable after. - Hybrid blends (M-sand + river sand): increasingly used for better workability. Specify ratio + properties.
Quality reality on Indian projects: - Premium projects (high-rise, institutional, government): strict adherence to IS 2116 with documented testing - Medium-tier projects: testing on receipt; some site-level QC - Budget / informal projects: minimal testing; visual acceptance; quality variable
For specifying engineers: - Always cite IS 2116:1980 in BOQ for masonry sand - Specify maximum silt content (8% per IS 2116, or stricter 5% for premium applications) - Mandate source testing certificate for any supplier - Sample testing during execution: at least 1 in 20-50 truckloads - Maintain procurement + test record log for traceability
For consulting engineers reviewing project documentation: - Check if sand source is documented in MOM / first POM (project ownership minutes) - Verify testing certificates are dated within 6 months of procurement - Cross-check actual sand color + texture against specifications during site visits
Sustainability angle: river-sand mining environmental destruction is well-documented (river-bed degradation, fish habitat loss, water-table effects). Specifying M-sand (often available locally; lower transport CO₂) is the more sustainable choice for new projects. Many state PWDs now mandate M-sand usage above certain procurement quantities.
Future trends: BIS sectional committee CED 2 has been considering an update to IS 2116 to: - Formalize M-sand acceptance limits (currently somewhat ad-hoc) - Tighten silt limit to 5% for premium applications - Add fines (passing 75 micron) limit specifically for M-sand - Reference IS 16451:2017 (M-sand specification — preliminary attempt)
No public draft yet for IS 2116 revision; watch for it.
| Parameter | IS Value | International | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grading - % Passing 4.75 mm sieve | 90 - 100% | 100% | ASTM C144-21 |
| Grading - % Passing 1.18 mm sieve | 40 - 85% | 40 - 80% | ASTM C144-21 |
| Grading - % Passing 150 µm sieve | 0 - 15% | 2 - 10% | ASTM C144-21 |
| Fines Content (Natural Sand) - max % passing 75 µm sieve | 5% | 3% | ASTM C144-21 |
| Fines Content (Crushed Stone Sand) - max % passing 75 µm sieve | 15% | 5% (for Manufactured Sand) | ASTM C144-21 |
| Clay Lumps and Friable Particles - max % | 1.0% | 1.0% | ASTM C144-21 |
| Soundness (Sodium Sulphate test, 5 cycles) - max loss % | 10% | 10% (when specified) | ASTM C144-21 |