IS 8112:2013 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for ordinary portland cement, 43 grade - specification. This standard lays down the specifications for 43 Grade Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), covering its chemical composition and physical properties. It details mandatory requirements for strength, setting time, soundness, and fineness to ensure the cement's quality and performance in concrete construction.
Specifies requirements for 43 Grade Ordinary Portland Cement.
Quick Reference — IS 8112:2013 OPC 43-Grade Properties
43-grade OPC strength bands, fineness, soundness, setting times, chemistry caps and packaging — the workhorse cement for general RCC.
| Reference | Value | Clause |
|---|
| 28-day compressive strength (min) | 43 MPa | Cl. 6.2 (Table 4) |
| 28-day compressive strength (max)— upper bound prevents over-strength control issues | 58 MPa | Cl. 6.2 (Table 4) |
| 7-day compressive strength (min) | 33 MPa | Cl. 6.2 (Table 4) |
| 3-day compressive strength (min) | 23 MPa | Cl. 6.2 (Table 4) |
| Fineness — Blaine specific surface (min) | 225 m²/kg | Cl. 6.1.1 |
| Soundness — Le Chatelier (max) | 10 mm | Cl. 6.1.2 |
| Soundness — autoclave (max) | 0.8 % | Cl. 6.1.2 |
| Initial setting time (min) | 30 minutes | Cl. 6.1.3 |
| Final setting time (max) | 600 minutes | Cl. 6.1.3 |
| Drying shrinkage (max) | 0.15 % | Cl. 6.1.4 |
| Lime saturation factor (LSF) | 0.66 – 1.02 | Cl. 5.1 (Table 1) |
| Magnesia (MgO) — max | 6.0 % | Cl. 5.1 (Table 1) |
| Sulphuric anhydride (SO₃) — max | 3.0 % (C₃A ≤ 5 %); 3.5 % otherwise | Cl. 5.1 (Table 1) |
| Insoluble residue (max) | 4.0 % | Cl. 5.1 (Table 1) |
| Loss on ignition (max) | 5.0 % | Cl. 5.1 (Table 1) |
| Total chloride (max, by mass of cement) | 0.05 % (PCC) / 0.10 % (RCC) | Cl. 5.1 (Table 1) |
| Alkali (Na₂O equivalent, max — low-alkali option) | 0.6 % | Cl. 5.1 (Table 1) |
| Standard bag mass | 50 kg ± 2 % | Cl. 9.1 |
| Shelf life — design value | 3 months from date of manufacture | Cl. 10.3 |
| Heat of hydration (typical 7 d) | Higher than OPC 33 due to finer/clinker richness | |
⚠ Many provisions now folded into IS 269:2015. Where 8112 still ships separately, check amendment slips for the upper-bound strength clause.
Overview
- Status
- Current
- Usage level
- Frequently Used
- Domain
- Materials Science — Concrete
- Type
- Specification
- Amendments
- Amendment 1 (May 2014); Amendment 2 (Aug 2014); Amendment 3 (Dec 2014); Amendment 4 (May 2015)…
Also on InfraLens for IS 8112
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! The '43' in the grade designation refers to the minimum 28-day compressive strength of 43 MPa when tested under standard conditions.
! Always check the manufacturing date on the bag; cement strength deteriorates over time, with a significant drop after 3 months of storage.
! Proper on-site storage in a dry, raised environment is critical to prevent lump formation and maintain the cement's properties as per Clause 10.
Frequently referenced clauses
Updates & Amendments6 amendments
Amendment 1 (May 2014)
Amendment 2 (Aug 2014)
Amendment 3 (Dec 2014)
Amendment 4 (May 2015)
Amendment 5 (Jul 2017)
Amendment 6 (Mar 2019)
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
cementportland cementopc 43
International Equivalents
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International Comparison — Coming Soon
We're adding equivalent international standards for this code.
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
Minimum 28-day compressive strength43 MPa
Minimum 7-day compressive strength33 MPa
Minimum 3-day compressive strength23 MPa
Minimum initial setting time30 minutes
Maximum final setting time600 minutes
Maximum soundness (Le Chatelier)10 mm
Minimum fineness (Blaine's)225 m²/kg
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Chemical Requirements for 43 Grade Ordinary Portland Cement
Table 2 - Physical Requirements for 43 Grade Ordinary Portland Cement
Key Clauses
Clause 6 - Chemical Requirements
Clause 7 - Physical Requirements
Clause 8 - Packing
Clause 10 - Storage
Frequently Asked Questions4
What does '43 Grade' mean?+
It means the cement must have a minimum compressive strength of 43 MPa (megapascals) at 28 days (Table 2).
What is the minimum initial setting time?+
The initial setting time must be at least 30 minutes, allowing time for mixing and placing concrete (Table 2).
What is the maximum permissible soundness?+
The maximum expansion measured by the Le Chatelier method should not exceed 10 mm, which ensures the hardened concrete will not undergo significant volume change (Table 2).
Is this cement suitable for all general construction?+
Yes, 43 Grade OPC is a widely used general-purpose cement suitable for most concrete works, including RCC, plastering, and masonry.