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IS 2572 : 2005Construction of hollow and solid concrete block masonry - Code of practice

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TMS 602-16 / ACI 530.1-16 / ASCE 6 · BS EN 1996-2 · AS 3700
CurrentFrequently UsedCode of PracticeBIMStructural Engineering · Cement Matrix Products
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OverviewValues4InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 2572:2005 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for construction of hollow and solid concrete block masonry - code of practice. This standard provides comprehensive guidelines for the construction of load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls using solid and hollow concrete blocks. It outlines procedures for material selection, mortar proportioning, block laying techniques, jointing, and curing to ensure structural stability and mitigate shrinkage cracks.

Construction of hollow and solid concrete block masonry - Code of practice

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Structural Engineering — Cement Matrix Products
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
TMS 602-16 / ACI 530.1-16 / ASCE 6-16 · TMS (The Masonry Society), ACI (American Concrete Institute), ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) (US)BS EN 1996-2:2006 · BSI (British Standards Institution) / CEN (European Committee for Standardization) (UK/Europe)AS 3700:2018 · Standards Australia (Australia)
Typically used with
IS 1905IS 2185IS 2250IS 269IS 8112
Also on InfraLens for IS 2572
4Key values1Tables4FAQs

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

Practical Notes
! Unlike clay bricks, concrete blocks must NOT be soaked in water before laying to prevent excessive drying shrinkage and subsequent wall cracking.
! For hollow blocks, mortar is typically applied only to the face shells (face-shell bedding) rather than the cross webs, saving mortar and reducing thermal bridging.
! Allow a sufficient time gap (preferably 3 to 4 weeks) after construction before applying plaster, so the masonry can undergo initial drying shrinkage.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4MaterialsCl. 5MortarCl. 8LayingCl. 10Intersecting WallsCl. 11Piers and PilastersCl. 13Curing
Pulled from IS 2572:2005. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
concrete blockhollow blocksolid blockmasonrymortarcement

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
TMS 602-16 / ACI 530.1-16 / ASCE 6-16TMS (The Masonry Society), ACI (American Concrete Institute), ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) (US)
HighCurrent
Specification for Masonry Structures
Directly covers material specifications, quality assurance, and execution of masonry construction, similar to a code of practice.
BS EN 1996-2:2006BSI (British Standards Institution) / CEN (European Committee for Standardization) (UK/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 rules on workmanship, jointing, and curing, aligning with IS 2572.
AS 3700:2018Standards Australia (Australia)
MediumCurrent
Masonry structures
A comprehensive standard covering both design and construction (workmanship) of concrete block masonry.
BS 5628-3:2005BSI (British Standards Institution) (UK)
HighWithdrawn
Code of practice for the use of masonry - Part 3: Materials and components, design and workmanship
As a 'Code of Practice', its scope and structure were very similar to IS 2572 before being replaced by Eurocodes.
Key Differences
≠IS 2572 specifies mortar mixes by volumetric proportions (e.g., H1, M1, L1) and links them to 28-day compressive strength. International standards like ASTM C270 (referenced by TMS 602) use Type designations (M, S, N, O) based on either proportion or property specifications, which is a different classification system.
≠IS 2572 mandates a prescriptive curing regime of keeping masonry continuously moist for a minimum of 7 days. In contrast, TMS 602 is performance-based, requiring protection from weather and maintaining dampness as needed, without a fixed multi-day period, focusing on preventing rapid drying.
≠IS 2572 explicitly prohibits the re-tempering of mortar with water once it starts to stiffen. ASTM C270, referenced in TMS 602, permits re-tempering with water within 2.5 hours of initial mixing to maintain workability.
≠Modern international codes like TMS 602 incorporate detailed, tiered Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) programs (e.g., Inspection Levels 1, 2, 3), which are formally integrated into the construction process. IS 2572's approach to supervision and quality is more general and less formally structured.
Key Similarities
≈All standards emphasize fundamental workmanship principles, such as laying blocks on a full mortar bed (or face-shell bedding for hollow units), maintaining consistent joint thickness, and ensuring units are plumb and true.
≈There is a common requirement across all codes to protect freshly laid masonry from adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain, freezing temperatures, and rapid drying due to sun and wind.
≈The practice of tooling or finishing mortar joints (e.g., concave, V-shape, weathered) to compact the mortar surface and improve weather resistance is a standard procedure recommended in both IS 2572 and international codes.
≈All codes recognize the importance of controlling water suction from the mortar. They advise against saturating concrete blocks before laying, recommending they be in a surface-dry condition to ensure proper bond and hydration of the mortar.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Nominal Mortar Joint ThicknessShall not exceed 10 mm.3/8 in. (9.5 mm) is nominal. Acceptable range is 1/4 in. to 1/2 in. (6.4 mm to 12.7 mm).TMS 602-16
Mandatory Curing PeriodKeep continuously moist for a minimum of 7 days.No fixed period. New masonry to be kept damp for at least 24 hours if specified. Primary focus is on protection.TMS 602-16
Mortar Re-tempering (adding water)Not permitted.Permitted to maintain consistency, provided mortar is used within 2.5 hours of initial mixing.TMS 602-16 (via ASTM C270)
Max Slenderness Ratio (Load-bearing wall)27 (for walls >90mm, up to two storeys, specific mortars).20 (for empirically designed, unreinforced bearing walls).ACI 530-13 / TMS 402-13
Construction Tolerance (Plumb)Max 6 mm in any storey height.Max 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) in 10 ft (3.05 m).TMS 602-16
Max Depth of Horizontal Chase1/3 of the wall thickness.1/8 of the wall thickness (for a single leaf wall).BS EN 1996-2:2006
Mortar Usable LifeTo be used within 2 hours of mixing.To be used within 2.5 hours of mixing.TMS 602-16 (via ASTM C270)
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values4

Quick Reference Values
standard mortar joint thickness10 mm
minimum curing period7 days
interval before plastering3 to 4 weeks (to allow for initial shrinkage)
vertical joint staggering minimumOne-quarter of the block length

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Recommended Mortar Mixes for Concrete Block Masonry
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Materials
Clause 5 - Mortar
Clause 8 - Laying
Clause 10 - Intersecting Walls
Clause 11 - Piers and Pilasters
Clause 13 - Curing

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 1905:1987Code of Practice for Structural Safety of Bui...
→
IS 2185:2005Concrete Masonry Units - Specifications: Part...
→
IS 2250:1981Code of Practice for Preparation and Use of M...
→
IS 269:2015Ordinary Portland Cement - Specification
→
IS 8112:1989Ordinary Portland Cement, 43 Grade - Specific...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

Should concrete blocks be soaked in water before construction?+
No. Concrete blocks should not be soaked. Only slight moistening of the laying surface is permitted in very dry climates to prevent the block from absorbing too much water from the mortar.
What is the recommended thickness for mortar joints in block masonry?+
The recommended thickness for both horizontal and vertical mortar joints is 10 mm.
Which code should be used for the structural design of block masonry?+
IS 1905 is used for structural design considerations, while IS 2572 covers the construction practices.
How long should concrete block masonry be cured?+
The masonry should be kept moist for a minimum period of 7 days after construction.

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