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IS 875 Part 5 : 1987Design Loads (Other than Earthquake) for Buildings and Structures - Special Loads and Load Combinations

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ASCE/SEI 7 · EN 1991-1-1 · AS/NZS 1170.1
CurrentEssentialCode of PracticeBIMStructural Engineering · Structural Design and Loading
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IS 875:1987 Part 5 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for design loads (other than earthquake) for buildings and structures - special loads and load combinations. IS 875 Part 5 outlines the standard load combinations to be considered for structural design, ensuring structural stability under multiple simultaneous load actions. It also specifies how to account for special loads like temperature variations, hydrostatic pressure, earth pressure, and accidental impact.

Covers special loads like erection loads, accidental loads, and defines load combinations for structural design.

Quick Reference — IS 875 Part 5:1987 Load Combinations

DL + IL + WL / EL load combinations, temperature, hydrostatic and earth-pressure loads for special cases.

✓ Verified 2026-04-26
ReferenceValueClause
Load combinations — DL + IL (working stress)1.0 DL + 1.0 ILCl. 8.1 (a)
Load combinations — DL + IL + WL or EL1.0 DL + 0.8 IL + 0.8 WL/ELCl. 8.1 (b)
Load combinations — limit state, basic1.5 (DL + IL)Cl. 8.2 (Table 18 of IS 456)
Limit state — DL + IL + WL/EL1.2 (DL + IL ± WL/EL)Cl. 8.2
Limit state — DL ± WL/EL (low IL)1.5 (DL ± WL/EL)Cl. 8.2
Limit state — DL + WL/EL relieving0.9 DL ± 1.5 WL/ELCl. 8.2
Temperature variation — typical design range±20 °C (mean) for IndiaCl. 5.1 / IMD data
Coefficient of thermal expansion — concrete10 × 10⁻⁶ / °CCl. 5.2
Coefficient of thermal expansion — steel12 × 10⁻⁶ / °CCl. 5.2
Hydrostatic pressure — design headFull head from HFLCl. 6.1
Earth pressure — at-rest K01 − sin φ (≈0.4–0.5 for sand)Cl. 7.2
Earth pressure — active Ka (Rankine)tan²(45 − φ/2)Cl. 7.2
Earth pressure — passive Kp (Rankine)tan²(45 + φ/2)Cl. 7.2
Surcharge effect on earth pressureEquivalent vertical pressure converted via KaCl. 7.3
Accidental loads — vehicle impact (typical)Per project-specific risk studyCl. 9.2.2
⚠ Limit-state combinations cross-reference IS 456 Table 18 and IS 1893. Use project-specific factored combinations as governed by structural codes.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Essential
Domain
Structural Engineering — Structural Design and Loading
Type
Code of Practice
Amendments
Reaffirmed 2018
International equivalents
ASCE/SEI 7-22 · ASCE (US)EN 1991-1-1:2002 · CEN (European Union)AS/NZS 1170.1:2002 · SA/SNZ (Australia/New Zealand)
Typically used with
IS 1893IS 456IS 800
Also on InfraLens for IS 875
3Key values4Handbook topics2Knowledge articles3FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! Wind load and Earthquake load must never be considered to act simultaneously on a structure.
! While this code gives the foundational logic for load combinations, engineers typically rely on IS 456 (for concrete) and IS 800 (for steel) for the exact Limit State Design partial safety factors.
! Always account for thermal expansion/contraction (Clause 3) in long continuous structures like bridge decks or large factory sheds.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 3Temperature ChangesCl. 4Hydrostatic and Soil PressureCl. 5FatigueCl. 6Accidental LoadsCl. 8Load Combinations
Pulled from IS 875:1987. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
Updates & Amendments1 amendment
2018Reaffirmed 2018
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
reinforced concretesteelmasonrytimber

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
ASCE/SEI 7-22ASCE (US)
HighCurrent
Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures
Chapter 3 specifically covers Dead Loads, providing material weights and calculation principles.
EN 1991-1-1:2002CEN (European Union)
HighCurrent
Eurocode 1: Actions on structures - Part 1-1: General actions - Densities, self-weight, imposed loads for buildings
Provides material densities (unit weights) and guidance on determining the self-weight of construction works.
AS/NZS 1170.1:2002SA/SNZ (Australia/New Zealand)
HighCurrent
Structural design actions - Part 1: Permanent, imposed and other actions
Covers 'Permanent actions' (G), which is the term used for dead loads, providing material densities.
BS 6399-1:1996BSI (UK)
HighWithdrawn
Loading for buildings - Part 1: Code of practice for dead and imposed loads
Direct historical equivalent, providing scheduled weights for materials and components for dead load calculation.
Key Differences
≠IS 875 contains unit weights for numerous materials specific to Indian construction (e.g., various local timbers like Deodar and Sal, Mud Phuska insulation, Surkhi mortar), which are not found in international standards like ASCE 7 or Eurocode 1.
≠For partitions where locations are not fixed, IS 875 recommends a uniformly distributed load derived from the actual partition weight (min. 1/3 of weight per metre run). In contrast, ASCE 7 often addresses movable partitions by specifying a minimum superimposed live load (e.g., 15 psf or 0.72 kN/m² in offices), which is a different classification and application philosophy.
≠IS 875:1987 is a significantly older standard (though reaffirmed). Modern codes like ASCE 7-22 and Eurocodes are updated more frequently and are more likely to include data and guidance for contemporary materials like engineered wood products, composites, and advanced facade systems.
≠International standards like Eurocode 1 often provide a range of values for material densities based on source, moisture content, or composition, encouraging more specific engineering judgment. IS 875 tends to be more prescriptive, providing a single value for many materials.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental definition of dead load is identical: it is the gravity load due to the self-weight of all permanent structural and non-structural components of a building.
≈The basic calculation methodology is universal across all standards, based on summing the products of the volume of each component and its corresponding unit weight (material density).
≈All standards provide extensive tabulated data of unit weights for common construction materials like concrete, steel, masonry, and glass, which serve as the primary reference for designers.
≈All codes explicitly state that the weight of permanent finishes (e.g., floor screeds, plaster, ceiling tiles) and fixed service equipment (e.g., HVAC ducts, plumbing, electrical conduits) must be included in the dead load calculation.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Plain Cement Concrete (PCC)24.0 kN/m³24.0 kN/m³EN 1991-1-1
Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC)25.0 kN/m³25.0 kN/m³EN 1991-1-1
Structural Steel78.5 kN/m³78.5 kN/m³EN 1991-1-1
Common Burnt Clay Brick Masonry18.85 kN/m³16.0 - 20.0 kN/m³ (depending on brick density)EN 1991-1-1
Cement Plaster20.4 kN/m³20.0 kN/m³ (for Cement mortar)EN 1991-1-1
Cast Iron72.08 kN/m³72.5 kN/m³EN 1991-1-1
Water (Fresh)9.81 kN/m³10.0 kN/m³EN 1991-1-1
Glass (Sheet/Plate)25.1 kN/m³25.0 kN/m³EN 1991-1-1
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values3

Quick Reference Values
Increase in permissible stress for Wind/Seismic combinations33.33% (for working stress design)
Reduction factor for transient load combinations (DL + IL + WL/EL)0.75
Simultaneous Wind and Seismic load combination factor0 (Not considered simultaneously)

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Temperature Changes
Clause 4 - Hydrostatic and Soil Pressure
Clause 5 - Fatigue
Clause 6 - Accidental Loads
Clause 8 - Load Combinations

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 1893:2016Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of S...
→
IS 456:2000Plain and Reinforced Concrete - Code of Pract...
→
IS 800:2007General Construction in Steel - Code of Pract...
→
Handbook & Design Rules
Handbook Topics
📖Unit Weights of Materials
→
📖Dead Loads of Building Components
→
📖Live Loads (Imposed Loads)
→
📖Basic Wind Speed by City (IS 875-3)
→
Design Rules (NBC 2016)
📐Minimum Ceiling Height Residential
→
📐Minimum Internal Courtyard
→
📐Max Staircase Riser Residential
→
📐Min Staircase Tread Residential
→
📐Max Staircase Riser Assembly
→
📐Min Staircase Tread Assembly
→
Articles & Guides
📖IS 875 vs ASCE 7: Wind Load Calculation Compared (India vs USA)
→
📖Slab Thickness — How to Decide 100 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm
→
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Mix Design Calculator
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Frequently Asked Questions3

Can wind and earthquake loads be applied together in a load combination?+
No, Clause 8 explicitly states that maximum wind and seismic loads shall not be considered to act simultaneously.
Does this code provide the partial safety factors for Limit State Design?+
No, while it lists the basic load combinations, the specific partial safety factors (like 1.5 DL + 1.5 LL) are detailed in the respective material codes (IS 456 and IS 800).
What special loads are covered in Part 5?+
It covers temperature changes, hydrostatic pressure, soil/earth pressure, fatigue, and accidental loads such as vehicular impact and explosions.

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