Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
IS 8047:1989 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for low heat portland cement - specification. This standard specifies the requirements for the manufacture, chemical composition, and physical properties of Low Heat Portland Cement. It is intended for use in mass concrete structures where controlling the heat of hydration is critical to prevent thermal cracking, such as in dams and large foundations. The code sets limits for heat generation, strength development, setting times, and soundness.
Specifies requirements for low heat portland cement, suitable for mass concrete structures to minimize thermal cracking.
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
cementlow heat portland cementconcrete
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
ASTM C150/C150M - 22ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Portland Cement
Specifies Type IV, a low-heat Portland cement for use in mass concrete structures.
EN 197-1:2011CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
Cement - Part 1: Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements
Includes a 'low heat of hydration' (LH) characteristic applicable to various cement types (e.g., CEM I) for mass concrete.
AS 3972-2010Standards Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
General purpose and blended cements
Defines Type LH (Low Heat) cement, which is functionally and compositionally similar to IS 8047.
BS 1370:1979BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighWithdrawn
Specification for low heat Portland cement
A dedicated historical standard for low heat Portland cement before harmonization with European norms.
Key Differences
≠IS 8047 specifies heat of hydration in calories/gram (cal/g), whereas modern standards like ASTM C150 and EN 197-1 use joules/gram (J/g). The limit values also differ; IS 8047 allows up to 272 J/g at 7 days, while ASTM C150 Type IV is stricter at 250 J/g.
≠Compressive strength requirements and testing methods vary significantly. IS 8047 requires a 28-day strength of ≥ 35 MPa on mortar cubes, whereas ASTM C150 Type IV requires only ≥ 17.0 MPa, reflecting different mortar compositions and a greater emphasis on heat reduction over early strength.
≠IS 8047 is more prescriptive about chemical composition, with a mandatory limit on C3A (≤ 5%) and an implied control on C3S. Modern standards like EN 197-1 are more performance-based, allowing manufacturers flexibility in composition as long as the final performance criteria (like heat and strength) are met.
≠The minimum specified fineness (Blaine's air permeability) in IS 8047 is higher (≥ 320 m²/kg) compared to ASTM C150 Type IV (≥ 260 m²/kg). This suggests IS 8047 aims for a slightly finer cement to aid strength development, potentially at the cost of slightly higher heat generation.
Key Similarities
≈The primary objective is identical across all standards: to specify a cement for use in mass concrete (e.g., dams, large foundations) where low heat of hydration is essential to prevent thermal cracking.
≈The underlying chemical principle for achieving low heat is the same: limiting the proportions of rapidly hydrating compounds, namely Tricalcium Silicate (C3S) and Tricalcium Aluminate (C3A), and increasing the proportion of slower-hydrating Dicalcium Silicate (C2S).
≈All standards include a mandatory or defining requirement for maximum heat of hydration, measured via calorimetry at an early age (typically 7 days), as the key performance indicator.
≈All standards mandate a test for soundness (volumetric stability) to ensure the hardened cement does not undergo deleterious expansion over time. Methods like Le Chatelier (IS, EN) or Autoclave (ASTM) are used to verify this.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Heat of Hydration (7 days)
≤ 65 cal/g (≈ 272 J/g)
≤ 250 J/g
ASTM C150 (Type IV)
Heat of Hydration (28 days)
≤ 75 cal/g (≈ 314 J/g)
≤ 290 J/g (Optional)
ASTM C150 (Type IV)
Compressive Strength (7 days)
≥ 16 MPa
≥ 8.0 MPa
ASTM C150 (Type IV)
Compressive Strength (28 days)
≥ 35 MPa
≥ 17.0 MPa
ASTM C150 (Type IV)
Fineness (Blaine Air Permeability)
≥ 320 m²/kg
≥ 260 m²/kg
ASTM C150 (Type IV)
Initial Setting Time (Vicat)
≥ 60 minutes
≥ 45 minutes
ASTM C150 (Type IV)
Final Setting Time (Vicat)
≤ 600 minutes
≤ 420 minutes
ASTM C150 (Type IV)
Tricalcium Aluminate (C3A) % by Bogue
≤ 5%
≤ 7% (Optional)
ASTM C150 (Type IV)
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values9
Quick Reference Values
Maximum Heat of Hydration at 7 days272 J/g
Maximum Heat of Hydration at 28 days314 J/g
Minimum Compressive Strength at 3 days10 MPa
Minimum Compressive Strength at 7 days16 MPa
Minimum Compressive Strength at 28 days35 MPa
Minimum Initial Setting Time60 minutes
Maximum Final Setting Time600 minutes
Maximum Soundness (Le Chatelier)10 mm
Minimum Specific Surface (Fineness)320 m²/kg
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Chemical Requirements for Low Heat Portland Cement
Table 2 - Physical Requirements for Low Heat Portland Cement
What is the main purpose of Low Heat Portland Cement?+
To reduce the heat generated during hydration, making it suitable for mass concrete structures to prevent thermal cracking (Clause 0.2).
What is the maximum heat of hydration allowed at 28 days?+
The heat of hydration must not exceed 314 J/g (75 cal/g) at 28 days (Table 2).
What is the minimum 28-day compressive strength for this cement?+
The minimum average compressive strength of three mortar cubes is 35 MPa at 28 days (Table 2).
How does its initial setting time compare to OPC?+
The minimum initial setting time is 60 minutes, which is longer than the 30-minute minimum for OPC (IS 269), providing more time for placing large volumes of concrete (Table 2).