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IS 5817:1992 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for preparation and use of lime-pozzolana mixture concrete in buildings and roads. This standard provides a code of practice for the preparation and use of lime-pozzolana concrete. It covers material requirements, mix proportions, site practices, and properties for applications in buildings and roads where high-strength concrete is not essential.
Code of practice for preparation and use of lime-pozzolana mixture concrete in buildings and roads
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Building Limes and Gypsum Products
! Lime-pozzolana concrete gains strength much slower than ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete; hence, a prolonged curing period of at least 28 days is crucial for strength development.
! This type of concrete is ideal for sustainable and low-cost construction, especially in conservation works or for sub-grades, foundations, and masonry blocks.
! The quality and reactivity of the pozzolanic material (e.g., fly ash, surkhi) are critical and directly influence the final strength and durability of the concrete.
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
limepozzolanalime concretefly ashsurkhiaggregate
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
ASTM C593-19ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Fly Ash and Other Pozzolans for Use With Lime for Soil Stabilization
Focuses on the specifications and testing of lime-pozzolan mixtures, directly overlapping with IS 5817's material requirements.
BS EN 459-1:2015BSI / CEN, UK / Europe
MediumCurrent
Building lime - Part 1: Definitions, specifications and conformity criteria
Overlaps on the classification and chemical/physical requirements for the lime binder, but not the pozzolana or concrete mixture itself.
ASTM C618-22aASTM International, USA
MediumCurrent
Standard Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete
Overlaps on the characterization of pozzolanic materials (fly ash, etc.), although its primary context is for use with Portland cement.
Key Differences
≠IS 5817 is based on lime as the sole hydraulic binder, whereas modern international standards (e.g., ACI 318, Eurocode 2) are based on Portland cement, using pozzolans only as supplementary materials.
≠The Indian code is highly prescriptive, providing volumetric mix proportions (e.g., 1:2:4 for lime:pozzolana:aggregate). Modern codes are performance-based, specifying required strength and durability, allowing flexibility in mix design.
≠IS 5817 is intended for low- to medium-strength applications like foundations, blockwork, and road sub-bases, not for high-stress reinforced concrete, which is the primary focus of major international concrete codes.
≠Strength gain in IS 5817 is recognized as slow, with compliance often checked at 90 days. Mainstream international standards for Portland cement concrete focus on 28-day strength as the key design parameter.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 5817 and international standards (like ASTM C618) define and classify pozzolanic materials (e.g., fly ash, calcined clay) based on their chemical and physical properties.
≈The fundamental principles for selecting and grading coarse and fine aggregates to achieve a workable and dense mix are consistent with international practices (e.g., ASTM C33).
≈All standards recognize the critical importance of proper, continuous moist curing for achieving the potential strength and durability of the binder system, although the required duration differs significantly.
≈The basic methodology for determining compressive strength—casting specimens (cubes or cylinders), curing them, and testing them in a compression machine—is a universally applied principle.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Primary Binder
Hydrated Lime (Class C, E, F as per IS 712)
Portland Cement (Types I-V as per ASTM C150)
General (ACI 318, etc.)
Primary Strength Testing Age
28 and 90 days
28 days (for specified compressive strength f'c)
ACI 318
Minimum Moist Curing Period
28 days
Typically 7 days for standard Portland cement concrete.
ACI 308R-16 (Guide)
Pozzolanic Activity Index (with lime)
Min. compressive strength of 4.0 N/mm² at 28 days for lime-fly ash-sand mortar.
Min. compressive strength of 4.1 MPa (600 psi) at 7 days for lime-pozzolan specimens.
ASTM C593-19
Fineness of Fly Ash (% retained on 45-micron sieve)
Max 34% (referencing IS 3812)
Max 34% (for Class F and N)
ASTM C618-22a
Mix Designation
By nominal volumetric ratio (e.g., LP-7.5, LP-5)
By specified compressive strength (e.g., 3000 psi, C25/30)
ACI 318 / EN 206
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
What are the typical uses of lime-pozzolana concrete?+
It's used for foundations, base courses for floors and roads, and for making masonry blocks, especially where high strength is not a primary requirement (Clause 1.2).
What is the minimum curing period for this concrete?+
A minimum of 28 days under continuously moist conditions is specified to ensure proper strength gain (Clause 8.4).
What are the concrete grades specified in this code?+
The code specifies grades from LC 2 to LC 7.5, where the number indicates the 28-day characteristic compressive strength in N/mm² (Table 2).
Can lime-pozzolana concrete be used for reinforced concrete work?+
Generally not recommended. If used, specific precautions must be taken to ensure the pH remains above 9.5 to prevent corrosion of reinforcement (Annex A).