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IS 3558:1983 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for method of test for water for concrete. This code provides comprehensive guidelines on the correct selection and use of immersion (poker) vibrators for consolidating fresh concrete. It details optimal insertion spacing, depth of penetration, withdrawal rate, and essential precautions to prevent segregation and ensure dense, uniform concrete.
Specifies methods for testing water to be used for mixing and curing of concrete.
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Structural Engineering — Testing Methods and Quality Control
Standard Specification for Mixing Water Used in the Production of Hydraulic Cement Concrete
Specifies prescriptive and performance-based requirements for water used in concrete.
BS EN 1008:2002BSI (British Standards Institution), UK / CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Mixing water for concrete — Specification for sampling, testing and assessing the suitability of water, including water recovered from processes in the concrete industry, as mixing water for concrete
Provides detailed specifications for assessing and using various water sources in concrete.
AS 1379:2007Standards Australia, Australia
MediumCurrent
Specification and supply of concrete
Includes a clause (2.4) specifying requirements for mixing water within a larger concrete specification.
ACI 318-19American Concrete Institute, USA
LowCurrent
Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
Defines requirements for concrete materials, including water, often by reference to ASTM C1602.
Key Differences
≠IS 3558:1983 is primarily a prescriptive standard with fixed chemical limits, whereas ASTM C1602 and BS EN 1008 offer a dual approach, allowing water to be qualified through performance tests (e.g., strength, setting time) if it fails prescriptive chemical limits.
≠BS EN 1008 and ASTM C1602 provide detailed and explicit provisions for the use of recycled water from concrete production processes. IS 3558:1983, being an older standard, does not address this topic in similar detail.
≠The permissible limits for certain chemicals vary significantly. For example, ASTM C1602 allows a much higher sulfate content (3000 mg/L) compared to IS 3558 (400 mg/L), relying on performance tests to ensure suitability.
≠ASTM C1602 includes an optional limit for total alkalis (as Na₂O equivalent) in mixing water, which is critical when dealing with alkali-silica reactive aggregates. This is not a specified parameter in IS 3558.
Key Similarities
≈All standards share the fundamental objective of preventing the use of water that could impair concrete strength, setting time, durability, or cause corrosion of reinforcement.
≈All standards place strict, though numerically different, limits on chloride content, recognizing it as a primary agent for initiating corrosion of steel reinforcement.
≈A performance-based strength requirement is common. Both IS 3558 and ASTM C1602 specify that concrete or mortar made with the test water should achieve at least 90% of the compressive strength of a control mix made with potable or distilled water.
≈All standards generally accept potable water (drinking water) as suitable for making concrete without the need for extensive testing.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Chloride Content (Cl⁻) for Prestressed Concrete
500 mg/L
500 mg/L
BS EN 1008:2002
Chloride Content (Cl⁻) for General Reinforced Concrete
2000 mg/L
1000 mg/L
BS EN 1008:2002
Sulfate Content (SO₄²⁻)
400 mg/L
3000 mg/L
ASTM C1602/C1602M-22
Minimum pH Value
6.0
4.0 (for general mixing water); 5.0 (for wash water)
BS EN 1008:2002
Permissible Suspended Solids
2000 mg/L
Not specified; performance tests govern suitability.
BS EN 1008:2002
Compressive Strength Ratio (Test vs. Control)
≥ 90% at 7 and 28 days
≥ 90% at 7 days
ASTM C1602/C1602M-22
Initial Setting Time Variation (vs. Control)
Not less than 30 mins and within ± 30 mins
Not >1 hr earlier nor >1.5 hr later
ASTM C1602/C1602M-22
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
thickness of concrete layer150 mm to 600 mm
penetration into lower layerAt least 100 mm
time of insertion5 to 15 seconds
rate of withdrawalApproximately 80 mm/s
spacing between insertions1.5 times the radius of action
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Selection of Immersion Vibrator
Clause 5 - Use of Immersion Vibrators
Clause 6 - Precautions to be taken during vibration