InfraLensInfraLens
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRRulesAbout Join Channel
Join
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRDesign RulesBIMAbout Join WhatsApp Channel
InfraLensInfraLens
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRRulesAbout Join Channel
Join
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRDesign RulesBIMAbout Join WhatsApp Channel

IS 2386 Part 4 : 1963Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete: Part 4 Mechanical properties

PDFGoogleCompareBIS Portal
Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
ASTM C136 / C136M · ASTM D4791 · BS EN 933-1
CurrentEssentialTesting MethodMaterials Science · Roads and Pavement
PDFGoogleCompareBIS Portal
Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
OverviewValues8InternationalTablesFAQ4RelatedQA/QCNew

IS 2386:1963 Part 4 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for methods of test for aggregates for concrete: part 4 mechanical properties. This part of IS 2386 outlines the test methods for evaluating the mechanical properties of concrete aggregates. It provides standard procedures for determining the aggregate crushing value, impact value, ten percent fines value, abrasion value, and polished stone value to ensure suitability for structural and pavement use.

Covers methods for determining mechanical properties like crushing strength, abrasion resistance, and impact value of aggregates.

Quick Reference — IS 2386 Part 4:1963 Aggregate Mechanical Properties

Aggregate impact, abrasion, crushing values for concrete and pavement aggregates.

✓ Verified 2026-04-28
ReferenceValueClause
Aggregate Impact Value (AIV) — apparatusdrop hammer 13.5–14 kg, 380 mm fall, 15 blowsCl. 4.2
AIV — sample size (10 mm × 12.5 mm)filled cup ≈ 100 mm dia × 50 mm depthCl. 4.2.4
AIV — calculation100 × (mass < 2.36 mm / total)Cl. 4.4
AIV — limit (concrete aggregate)≤ 30 %(IS 383)
AIV — limit (wearing course)≤ 30 %(IRC 58)
AIV — limit (non-wearing layer)≤ 45 %(IRC 37)
Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV) — apparatus150 mm cylinder, plunger compressionCl. 7.2
ACV — load applied40 t over 10 minutesCl. 7.4
ACV — calculation100 × (mass < 2.36 mm / 4 kg)Cl. 7.5
ACV — limit (concrete aggregate)≤ 30 %(IS 383)
ACV — limit (wearing course)≤ 30 %(IRC 58)
Los Angeles Abrasion Value (LAAV) — apparatusrotating drum + steel chargesCl. 8.2
LAAV — sample mass5 kg ± 25 g (Grading A)Cl. 8.4
LAAV — number of charges (Grading A)12 steel ballsCl. 8.2.1 (Table 4)
LAAV — number of revolutions500 (or 1000 for Grading E/F)Cl. 8.4.3
LAAV — limit (concrete aggregate)≤ 30 %(IS 383)
LAAV — limit (bituminous wearing course)≤ 30 %(IRC 37)
Soundness — Na₂SO₄ test cycles5 cycles immersion + dryingCl. 6.5
Soundness — Na₂SO₄ loss limit (concrete)≤ 12 %(IS 383)
Soundness — MgSO₄ loss limit (concrete)≤ 18 %(IS 383)
⚠ Reaffirmed. Mechanical-strength tests for aggregate quality. Cross-referenced with IS 383 (limits), IRC 37 / IRC 58 (pavement aggregates).

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Essential
Domain
Materials Science — Roads and Pavement
Type
Testing Method
Amendments
Amendment 1; Amendment 2; Amendment 3
International equivalents
ASTM C136 / C136M-19 · ASTM International (US)ASTM D4791-19 · ASTM International (US)BS EN 933-1:2012 · BSI (UK) / CEN (Europe)BS EN 933-3:2012 · BSI (UK) / CEN (Europe)
Typically used with
IS 383IS 460IS 456
Also on InfraLens for IS 2386
8Key values3Tables10QA/QC templates4FAQs
Practical Notes
! Ensure the test sample is oven-dried (100-110°C) for up to 4 hours before testing to avoid erroneous weights due to moisture.
! The 10 percent fines value test is highly recommended over the aggregate crushing value for non-standard, weaker aggregates.
! During the Los Angeles abrasion test, carefully select the abrasive charge (number of steel spheres) depending on the grading of the test sample as specified in Table 3.
Frequently referenced clauses
Section 2 - Aggregate Crushing ValueSection 3 - Ten Per Cent Fines ValueSection 4 - Aggregate Impact ValueSection 5 - Aggregate Abrasion ValueSection 6 - Polished Stone Value
Pulled from IS 2386:1963. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
Updates & Amendments3 amendments
Amendment 1
Amendment 2
Amendment 3
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
aggregateconcretegravelcrushed stone

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
ASTM C136 / C136M-19ASTM International (US)
HighCurrent
Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
Covers the determination of particle size distribution of aggregates by sieving.
ASTM D4791-19ASTM International (US)
MediumCurrent
Standard Test Method for Flat Particles, Elongated Particles, or Flat and Elongated Particles in Coarse Aggregate
Covers determination of flat/elongated particles, analogous to IS code's flakiness/elongation.
BS EN 933-1:2012BSI (UK) / CEN (Europe)
HighCurrent
Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates - Part 1: Determination of particle size distribution - Sieving method
Specifies the reference method for determining the particle size distribution of aggregates.
BS EN 933-3:2012BSI (UK) / CEN (Europe)
HighCurrent
Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates - Part 3: Determination of particle shape - Flakiness index
Specifies the procedure for determining the flakiness index of coarse aggregates.
Key Differences
≠The definition of flakiness and elongation differs. IS 2386 defines a flaky particle as one whose least dimension is less than 0.6 times its mean dimension, and an elongated particle as one whose greatest dimension is more than 1.8 times its mean dimension. In contrast, ASTM D4791 defines these based on a ratio of dimensions (e.g., length to width) where the ratio itself (e.g., 2:1, 3:1) is specified by the user, not fixed in the standard.
≠IS 2386-1 includes a test method for 'Angularity Number,' which determines the angularity of an aggregate based on the percentage of voids in a compacted sample. This specific test is not commonly found in primary ASTM or EN standards, which use other methods like 'Uncompacted Void Content' (ASTM C1252) or 'Flow Coefficient' (EN 933-6) to characterize particle shape and texture.
≠While both IS and ASTM/EN standards use a series of sieves, the standard designated sieve sizes are different. IS 2386 uses a series like 80, 40, 20, 10, 4.75 mm, whereas ASTM C136 uses a series based on inches and their metric equivalents, such as 75 mm (3"), 37.5 mm (1-1/2"), 19.0 mm (3/4"), 9.5 mm (3/8"), and 4.75 mm (No. 4).
≠BS EN 933-4 uses a 'Shape Index' test, which is different from the 'Elongation Index' test in IS 2386. The Shape Index is calculated for individual particles using a caliper and is the ratio of length to thickness, whereas the Elongation Index in IS 2386 is determined in bulk by gauging particles against a length gauge set to 1.8 times the mean dimension of the aggregate fraction.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental principle of sieve analysis is identical across IS 2386, ASTM C136, and BS EN 933-1: a known mass of aggregate is passed through a nest of sieves with progressively smaller openings, and the mass retained on each sieve is weighed to determine the particle size distribution.
≈All standards (IS 2386, ASTM C136, BS EN 933-1) recognize the 4.75 mm sieve (or its equivalent, the No. 4 sieve in ASTM) as the dividing line between coarse and fine aggregate.
≈The objective of the particle shape tests is the same. IS 2386 (Flakiness/Elongation), ASTM D4791 (Flat/Elongated), and BS EN 933-3 (Flakiness) all aim to quantify and limit the percentage of poorly shaped particles that can negatively impact concrete workability, consolidation, and strength.
≈All standards mandate rigorous sample preparation procedures, requiring that the test sample be representative of the bulk material and be reduced to a testing size using standardized methods like quartering or a mechanical sample splitter to avoid bias.
≈The concept and calculation method for Fineness Modulus of fine aggregate, as a sum of cumulative percentages retained on a specified set of sieves divided by 100, is a common feature in both IS 2386 and ASTM C136, serving as an index of the fineness of the material.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Standard Sieve Series (Coarse)80, 63, 40, 20, 10, 4.75 mm75 (3"), 50 (2"), 37.5 (1.5"), 25 (1"), 19 (3/4"), 9.5 (3/8"), 4.75 mm (No. 4)ASTM C136 / C136M
Flakiness CriterionThickness < 0.6 × mean sieve sizeParticles passing through slots of a bar sieve with opening D/2 (where D is sieve size)BS EN 933-3
Elongation CriterionLength > 1.8 × mean sieve sizeRatio of length to width > specified value (e.g., 3:1); value is not fixed by the standard.ASTM D4791
Separator for Fine/Coarse Aggregate4.75 mm IS Sieve4.75 mm (No. 4) SieveASTM C136 / C136M
Sieving Time (Mechanical Shaker)Not less than 2 minutes. Sieving is complete when no more than 1% of residue passes a sieve in 1 minute.No specific time, but sieving is complete when no more than 0.5% by mass of the total sample passes any sieve during 1 minute.ASTM C136 / C136M
Shape Test ApparatusThickness Gauge (for flakiness) and Length Gauge (for elongation).Proportional Caliper Device.ASTM D4791
Basis of Calculation (Shape)Index is the mass of flaky/elongated particles as a percentage of the total mass tested.Percentage by mass or by particle count of particles exceeding a specified dimensional ratio.ASTM D4791
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values8

Quick Reference Values
standard sample grading for ACV and AIVPassing 12.5 mm and retained on 10 mm IS Sieve
load applied in ACV test40 tonnes
rate of loading in ACV4 tonnes per minute (total 10 minutes)
impact value hammer weight13.75 to 14.25 kg
impact value drop height380 ± 5 mm
impact value blows15 blows
los angeles machine speed30 to 33 rev/min
sieve size for fines measurement in ACV and AIV2.36 mm
Key Formulas
Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV) = (B / A) * 100 — where B is weight passing 2.36mm sieve, A is total weight of sample
Aggregate Impact Value (AIV) = (B / A) * 100 — where B is weight passing 2.36mm sieve
Los Angeles Abrasion Value = (B / A) * 100 — where B is weight passing 1.70mm IS Sieve

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Details of test cylinders for Aggregate Crushing Value
Table 2 - Grading of Test Samples for Los Angeles Test
Table 3 - Abrasive Charge for Los Angeles Test
Key Clauses
Section 2 - Aggregate Crushing Value
Section 3 - Ten Per Cent Fines Value
Section 4 - Aggregate Impact Value
Section 5 - Aggregate Abrasion Value
Section 6 - Polished Stone Value

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 383:2016Coarse and Fine Aggregates for Concrete - Spe...
→
IS 460:2000Test Sieves: Part-I Wire Cloth Test Sieves
→
IS 456:2000Plain and Reinforced Concrete - Code of Pract...
→
🧮
Mix Design Calculator
IS 10262 · M20–M50

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the difference between ACV and 10% Fines test?+
ACV measures the percentage of fines crushed under a standard 40-ton load, while 10% Fines measures the load required to produce exactly 10% fines. The latter is better suited for weak aggregates.
What is the standard sieve used to measure fines after the AIV and ACV tests?+
IS Sieve 2.36 mm is used to sieve the crushed material to determine the fines fraction.
How many blows are applied in the Aggregate Impact Value test?+
A total of 15 blows are applied using a hammer dropping freely from a height of 380 mm.
What sieve is used to measure fines in the Los Angeles Abrasion test?+
IS Sieve 1.70 mm is used to separate the fines after the specified number of revolutions.

QA/QC Inspection Templates

Code-Specific Templates for IS 2386
✅
Aggregate Receiving Inspection Checklist
checklist
Excel / PDF
✅
Aggregate Stockpile Management Checklist
checklist
Excel / PDF
📐
Aggregate Quality Inspection & Test Plan (ITP)
plan
Excel / PDF
📊
Aggregate Sieve Analysis Report
test-report
Excel / PDF
📊
Aggregate Physical Properties Report
test-report
Excel / PDF
📊
Aggregate Chemical Tests Report
test-report
Excel / PDF
📐
Concrete Inspection & Test Plan (ITP)
plan
Excel / PDF
✅
Sub-base & Base Course Checklist
checklist
Excel / PDF
✅
Surface Dressing & Finishing Checklist
checklist
Excel / PDF
📊
Aggregate Material Test Certificate (MTC) Receipt Verification
test-report
Excel / PDF