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IS 7288 : 1992Code of Practice for Design and Construction of Masonry Structures for Irrigation and Drainage

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EN 1996-1-1 · Design of Small Canal Structures · AS 3700
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeWater Resources · Irrigation and Canal Structures
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OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 7288:1992 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for design and construction of masonry structures for irrigation and drainage. This code provides guidelines for the design and construction of masonry structures used in irrigation and drainage systems. It covers material specifications, design considerations like stability and permissible stresses, and construction practices for assets such as canals, regulators, and aqueducts.

Provides guidelines for the design and construction of masonry structures used in irrigation and drainage works.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Water Resources — Irrigation and Canal Structures
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
EN 1996-1-1:2005 + A1:2012 & EN 1996-2:2006 · European Committee for Standardization (CEN), EuropeDesign of Small Canal Structures · United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), USAAS 3700-2018 · Standards Australia, Australia
Typically used with
IS 1077IS 269IS 383IS 1905IS 2250
Also on InfraLens for IS 7288
6Key values3Tables4FAQs
Practical Notes
! Special attention must be paid to the quality of mortar and proper curing, as these are critical for the durability and water-tightness of hydraulic structures.
! The stability analysis against overturning, sliding, and bearing pressure is the most critical aspect of designing gravity structures under this code.
! Ensure provision of adequate weep holes and drainage arrangements behind retaining structures to prevent build-up of hydrostatic pressure.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4MaterialsCl. 5Design ConsiderationsCl. 6Permissible StressesCl. 7ConstructionCl. 8Foundations
Pulled from IS 7288:1992. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
masonrybrickstonemortarconcrete

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 1996-1-1:2005 + A1:2012 & EN 1996-2:2006European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe
MediumCurrent
Eurocode 6: Design of masonry structures - Part 1-1: General rules for reinforced and unreinforced masonry structures & Part 2: Design considerations, selection of materials and execution of masonry
Provides general design and execution rules for masonry, which must be adapted for hydraulic loads and exposure conditions.
ACI 530/530.1-13 / TMS 402/602-13American Concrete Institute / The Masonry Society, USA
MediumWithdrawn
Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures
Covers design and construction of masonry, primarily for buildings, requiring engineering judgment to apply to hydraulic structures.
Design of Small Canal StructuresUnited States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), USA
HighCurrent
Design of Small Canal Structures
A practical design manual covering many of the same irrigation structures (falls, checks, turnouts), including masonry applications.
AS 3700-2018Standards Australia, Australia
LowCurrent
Masonry structures
General code for masonry structures, analogous to Eurocode 6, without specific provisions for hydraulic applications.
Key Differences
≠IS 7288 uses a Working Stress Method (WSM), specifying permissible stresses for materials. Modern international codes like Eurocode 6 and ACI 530 use Limit State Design (LSD) or Strength Design, which applies partial safety factors to loads and material strengths.
≠IS 7288 is a self-contained code for a specific application (hydraulic masonry). The international approach is modular, requiring the combination of a general masonry code (e.g., EN 1996) with separate standards for loads, geotechnical design, and principles for water-retaining structures.
≠Durability requirements in IS 7288 are prescriptive (e.g., specifying mortar mix ratios like 1:3). International standards like EN 1996 define durability based on performance, linking material selection to formal exposure classes (e.g., MX1 to MX5) which relate to saturation and freeze-thaw cycles.
≠The Indian standard provides specific guidance on traditional masonry types like random rubble and coarse rubble masonry, which are less commonly codified in detail in modern Western standards that focus more on manufactured masonry units.
Key Similarities
≈All standards recognize the primary forces acting on hydraulic structures: self-weight, water pressure, earth pressure, and uplift. The fundamental principles of ensuring stability against overturning, sliding, and bearing failure are common.
≈There is a shared emphasis on using dense, low-absorption masonry units and rich, well-compacted mortar to ensure watertightness and long-term durability in an aggressive, saturated environment.
≈Core construction principles are similar, including the need for proper pre-wetting of bricks, maintaining uniform joint thickness, ensuring joints are fully filled with mortar, and proper curing to achieve desired strength and durability.
≈All codes acknowledge the importance of providing adequate drainage systems, such as weep holes, to relieve hydrostatic pressure behind retaining walls and abutments, preventing stability issues.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Design PhilosophyWorking Stress Method (Allowable Stress Design)Limit State Design / Strength DesignEN 1996-1-1 / ACI 530
Basic Compressive Stress (Example)1.10 N/mm² (For 10 N/mm² brick strength & 1:3 cement mortar)~2.0 N/mm² (Design strength 'fd' derived from characteristic strength 'fk' and partial safety factors)EN 1996-1-1
Mortar for Severe ExposurePrescribed mix, typically 1:3 or 1:4 (Cement:Sand).Performance-based, e.g., Mortar Class M6 or M12 for exposure class MX3.2/MX4.EN 1996-2
Minimum Curing Period for MortarContinuous wet curing for at least 10 days.Protect from rapid drying for 24-72 hours; less emphasis on continuous wet curing.ACI 530.1 / TMS 602
Nominal Mortar Joint Thickness (Brickwork)10 mm10 mm (or 3/8 inch ≈ 9.5 mm)EN 1996-2 / ACI 530.1
Factor of Safety against Overturning1.5 (when reservoir is full), 1.2 (when empty with seismic/wind)Not explicitly stated as a single factor; achieved by applying partial factors to stabilizing (e.g., 0.9) and destabilizing (e.g., 1.5) actions in Limit State Design.EN 1990 (Basis of structural design)
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Minimum crushing strength for bricks in canal lining75 kg/cm²
Maximum thickness of mortar joint for brickwork10 mm
Permissible compressive stress for M100 brick in M1 mortar1.05 N/mm²
Minimum curing period for masonry7 days
Minimum factor of safety against overturning1.5 (Reservoir empty) / 2.0 (Reservoir full)
Minimum factor of safety against sliding1.5
Key Formulas
σ_ca,cal / σ_ca + σ_bt,cal / σ_bt ≤ 1.0 — Combined axial and bending stress check

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Permissible Compressive Stress in Masonry
Table 2 - Permissible Tensile and Shear Stress in Masonry
Table 3 - Properties of Mortar
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Materials
Clause 5 - Design Considerations
Clause 6 - Permissible Stresses
Clause 7 - Construction
Clause 8 - Foundations

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 1077:1992Common Burnt Clay Building Bricks - Specifica...
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IS 269:2015Ordinary Portland Cement - Specification
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IS 383:2016Coarse and Fine Aggregates for Concrete - Spe...
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IS 1905:1987Code of Practice for Structural Safety of Bui...
→
IS 2250:1981Code of Practice for Preparation and Use of M...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What are the main loads to consider for an irrigation structure?+
The main loads are self-weight, hydrostatic pressure (water pressure), earth pressure, and uplift pressure. (Clause 5.2)
What is the minimum factor of safety against overturning?+
The minimum factor of safety against overturning is generally taken as 2.0 when the structure is full and 1.5 when empty. (Clause 5.3.1)
What is the requirement for weep holes in retaining walls?+
Weep holes of at least 75 mm diameter, spaced not more than 2 m apart, should be provided to relieve hydrostatic pressure. (Clause 9.5)
What is the permissible compressive stress for stone masonry in cement mortar 1:5?+
It depends on the type of stone and dressing. For uncoursed rubble masonry in cement mortar 1:5, it is 0.7 N/mm². (Table 1)

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