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IS 2686:1977 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for cinder as fine aggregates for use in lime concrete. This standard specifies the physical and chemical requirements for cinder to be used as a fine aggregate in lime concrete. It covers aspects like grading, limits on deleterious materials, loss on ignition, and sulphur content to ensure the suitability and durability of the resulting concrete.
Cinder as Fine Aggregates for use in Lime Concrete
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Building Limes and Gypsum Products
! Cinder quality is highly variable depending on its source; thorough testing as per the standard is essential before use.
! Lime concrete with cinder aggregate is a low-strength, lightweight material suitable for non-structural applications like filling, base courses, and masonry blocks.
! The high porosity of cinder aggregates can lead to significant water absorption, which must be considered in mix design to control the water-lime ratio.
Standard Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Structural Concrete
Covers a range of lightweight aggregates, including processed cinders, for use in structural concrete.
EN 13055:2016CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Lightweight aggregates
Specifies requirements for lightweight aggregates from various sources, including furnace bottom ash (cinder), for concrete and mortar.
BS 1165:1966BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
MediumWithdrawn
Clinker aggregate for concrete
A historically similar standard specifying requirements for clinker/cinder from a similar technological era.
ASTM C331 / C331M - 17ASTM International, USA
MediumCurrent
Standard Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete Masonry Units
Specifies requirements for lightweight aggregates, including cinders, but for a more specific application (masonry units).
Key Differences
≠IS 2686 is specifically for use in 'Lime Concrete', a traditional binder, whereas modern standards like ASTM C330 and EN 13055 are primarily intended for use with Portland cement concrete.
≠The Indian standard is highly specific to 'cinder', while international counterparts (ASTM C330, EN 13055) are umbrella specifications covering a wide variety of natural and manufactured lightweight aggregates.
≠IS 2686 allows a very high Loss on Ignition (LOI) of up to 25%, reflecting older boiler technology. Modern standards like ASTM C330 are much stricter, limiting LOI for cinders to 5% to control unburnt carbon content.
≠IS 2686 provides a single, simple grading requirement. ASTM C330 and EN 13055 provide multiple grading sizes and a more complex, performance-based framework to suit different concrete mix designs.
Key Similarities
≈All standards serve the same fundamental purpose: to qualify a coal combustion by-product as a safe and effective aggregate for use in a cementitious mix.
≈Both IS 2686 and its international counterparts mandate a soundness test (typically using sodium or magnesium sulphate) to ensure the aggregate's durability and resistance to weathering.
≈All standards place limits on deleterious substances like unburnt particles (via LOI) and sulphur compounds to prevent adverse reactions, staining, or expansion in the final concrete product.
≈A key defining characteristic, the maximum bulk density, is specified in all standards to ensure the material provides the desired 'lightweight' property. The limits are often very similar.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Dry Loose Bulk Density (Max)
1120 kg/m³
1120 kg/m³ (70 lb/ft³)
ASTM C330 / C330M
Loss on Ignition (LOI) (Max)
25%
5% (for processed cinders)
ASTM C330 / C330M
Soundness Loss (Sodium Sulphate, 5 Cycles)
15%
12%
ASTM C330 / C330M (via ASTM C88)
Sulphur Content (as SO₃) (Max)
3.0%
Typically ≤ 2.5% (from ≤ 1.0% total Sulphur)
EN 13055:2016
Grading - Passing 4.75 mm Sieve
90 - 100%
95 - 100% (for Fine Aggregate grading)
ASTM C330 / C330M
Grading - Passing 150 µm (No. 100) Sieve
0 - 15%
5 - 25% (for Fine Aggregate grading)
ASTM C330 / C330M
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
Maximum Loss on Ignition12 percent
Maximum Sulphur content as SO31.0 percent
Maximum Clay, Fine Silt, Fine Dust and Organic Impurities5 percent
Maximum Particles retained on 4.75 mm IS Sieve5 percent
Minimum Particles passing 75-micron IS Sieve5 percent
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Grading of Cinder Fine Aggregate
Table 2 - Limits for Deleterious Materials
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - General Requirements
Clause 4 - Physical Requirements
Clause 5 - Chemical Requirements
Clause 6 - Sampling and Testing
Frequently Asked Questions4
What is the maximum permissible loss on ignition for cinder aggregate?+
12 percent by mass, as per Clause 5.1.
What is the grading requirement for cinder as fine aggregate?+
The grading must conform to Table 1, with 95-100% passing the 4.75 mm IS Sieve.
Is high sulphur content allowed in cinder aggregate?+
No, the total sulphur content (as SO3) must not exceed 1.0 percent by mass (Clause 5.2) to prevent potential unsoundness and corrosion issues.
What is the main purpose of using cinder in lime concrete?+
To produce lightweight concrete for non-structural or semi-structural applications where high strength is not a primary requirement.