DOS & DONTS
OF
QUALITY CONCRETE,
REINFORCEMENT
AND
RCC IN MAJOR PROJECTS
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CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
Setting out of Building
Excavation
Concreting
Cement
Aggregates
Form Work
Reinforcement
Concrete Work
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4. Testing
Building Bricks
Cement
Coarse Aggregate
MS & TOR Steel
Concrete
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Setting Out of Buildings.
Check Orientation according to site condition.
Mark all buildings according to plans on gound before
starting excavation.
Ensure that plinth level, length of wall and right
angles/diagonals are checked.
Dont overlook underground cables, sewage/water
mains, electric/telephone wire coming in the way of
siting of bldgs.
Dont provide high plinths and consider stepping
foundations where necessary
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Excavation.
Ensure that safe bearing capacity is checked before
commencement of the work. (IS : 1904)
Ensure that refilling of trenches done in layers of not
exceeding 15 cm with available means as specified,
adequately watered and consolidated.
Ensure safety precautions while excavating in soft
soils or in case of deep excavations. (IS : 5121 1979
and IS : 3764 1966).
Ensure that foundation shall be laid and on original
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GL.
Ensure in RCC footing, the thickness at the edge shall
not be less than 150mm for footing on soils and not
less
than 300mm above the top of piles for fasting in piles. (IS : 456
2000 clause 34.1.2).
Ensure min depth of foundation as per subsoil
investigation report.
Only approved earth must be used in filling under
foundation, plinth and floors. Avoid silt and expensive soil for
filling
Do not lay foundation till hard soil/moorum/rocks is met
with.
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Do not over look the measures for anti termite soil
treatment. (IS : 6313 (Pt III 1981).
NB.
The chemicals are banned vide E-in-Cs Branch letter
No
(a)
Aldrin EC
(b)
Heptachlor EC
( c)
Chlordane EC
Only chloropyrophos EC 20% is to be used.
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QUALITY
CONCRETING
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Cement. Accept from main producers
Ensure proper dunnage for storing cement. It
shall be stored in water proof sheds.
Ensure that stocks are consumed reasonably/
quickly so that the stock remains as fresh as
possible. (FIFO). Cement over 6 months be
tested for its strength, setting time etc before
use.
Do not stack more than 12 bags high to avoid
humping under pressure.
Use cement batching always by weight (mass).
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Aggregates.
Aggregate shall comply with requirements of
IS : 383. Preference should be given to natural
aggregate (IS : 456-2000 clause 5.3)
Test for alkaline aggregate reaction is must
(8.2.5.4).
Test for deleterious content of sand is must.
Use the sand washed condition.
Use of too fine sand should be avoided. FM
below 0.6 is dangerous.
Ensure grading of coarse and fine aggregate as
(well graded). 20mm aggregate is suitable for
this zone.
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The grading of coarse and fine aggregate should
be checked frequently as possible (10.2.1).
Mica content of fine sand should not be
overlooked. Excess of 6% may not be allowed
1982).
(SP-23-
Coarse and fine aggregate shall be batched
separately. IS : 456 2000 Clause 5.3.4)
Determine MC in both FA & CA as frequently
as possible as per IS : 2386 (Pt 3).
Allow proper allowances for variation in masses
of aggregate due to MC.
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Form Work.(IS : 14687- latest)
Remember : Good finishing practices are essential
for durable concrete
Use steel shuttering/plywood shuttering/timber
shuttering. In case of timber shuttering see that
the joints are neat and if possible tongued and grooved
to avoid any loss of slurry from the
concrete. (11.1
IS : 456 2000).
Ensure adequate supports/bracings to withstand
concrete tamping/vibration pressure.
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Provide proper wedges while using oil on steel
plate, ensure no spillage are the reinforcement
Do not allow rickety formwork or yielding
supports like cracked ballies bamboos.
Failure of auditorium at Dehradun (during
)
being completed by NBCC was due to failure of
form works. It should be rigid and of
adequate strength.
The face of form work in contact with concrete
shall be cleaned and treated with form release
agent like oil, soap solution, water wash.
Ensure thin quoting of release agents to form
works without coating reinforcement avoid .
spillage etc while coating (IS : 456 2000,
Clause 11.2) www.constroinfo.com
.
Do not allow very old formworks/shuttering.
Ensure removal of
shavings, saw dust
rubbish, chippings,
from the interior of the
forms. (IS : 456 2000, Clause 11.2)
Do not remove form work untill concrete has
hardened for specified days. (Recommended
stripping time) (IS : 456 2000, clause 11.3.1)
The number of props left under shall be spaced
adequately to safely carry the full dead load of
concrete and live load likely to occur during
curing or further construction.
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Reinforcement.(Reinforcement shall be
bent and fixed in accordance with
procedure specified in IS : 2502 (12.1).
Accept the reinforcement from the main
producer only SAIL/TISCO etc,
All reinforcement shall be free from loose mill
scales, loose rust and coats of paints, oil, mud
or any other substances which may destroy or
reduce the bond (IS : 456 2000 Clause 5.6.1).
When reinforcement is left exposed for future
construction, it should be adequately protected
from corrosion and weathering action.
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Congestion of steel should be avoided at
intersections.
Ensure hooked and bent bars have adequate
concrete cover.
Ensure splicing in reinforcing bars are of correct
dimensions and away from maximum
stress
and properly staggered .
Check that cranking is at correct position.
Provide skin/side face reinforcement for
Beam 750mm (without torsion)
Beam 450 mm (with torsion)
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of steel shall be as per IS : 4082 (5.7)
Do not use too many small lengths.
Do not allow different types of metal within
the concrete mass to avoid bimetal
corrosion. (IS : 456 2000 Clause 12.6)
Crossing bars should not be tack-welded.
Ensure bar bending schedules to be
prepared. (Clause 12.1 ISO 4066 1977
for detailing).
Ensure that bar supports and cover blocks
are placed to maintain correct and bottom
side cover.
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Ensure high chairs and stools on to support
supper reinforcement mats at the correct level
(SP 23 clause 2.5).
Ensure that positioning of down take pipes
(inlets/outlets) sleeves, pipes and electrical
conduits alongwith reinforcement.
Avoid rough handling, shock loading and
dropping from height of reinforcement.
No welding should be allowed for splicing
spacers ; cover blocks should be of concrete
same strength or PVC (12.3.1)
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of
Ensure special ductility detailing for
earthquake resistant buildings (IS : 4326
1976)
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Concrete Work.
prior
Ensure to give adequate notice to the contractor
to start any important operation for
concreting. (IS : 456 2000 Clause 13.6)
Batching for concrete should be allowed by mass
only for cement and aggregates.
Water shall be
weighed or measured by volume in a calibrated tank.
(IS : 456-2000, Clause 10.2).
Weigh
batching
machine is a mandatory requirement.
Ensure deep containers for transportation of
concrete during
hot weather. (IS : 456 2000,
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Clause
Ensure that concrete is placed and compacted
before initial set.
Use vibrators for all RCC and pavement slabs
and other important works.
Ensure concrete cubes are made and tested
as specified.
Ensure proper curing.
Do not allow concreting unless you have been
satisfied regarding positioning of
reinforcement, spacers, soundness of
and all aspects.www.constroinfo.com
formwork
Do not allow excessive vibration.
Do not allow over trowelling/floating.
Do not expose fresh concreting to scorching sun,
rain or frost. Avoid concreting in such conditions
unavoidable, precautions enumerated in
if
SP : 25-
1984 should be adopted.
Ensure that measuring guage boxes are of
correct sizes and actually used for measuring
aggregate.
Ensure that sand and aggregate conforms to
grading specified.
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Ensure that slump test is carried out at regular
intervals.
Check proportion of silt in sand.
Ensure proper water cement ratio.
Ensure that curing of the concrete is done for
specified number of days.
Ensure immediate inspection of site after
stripping the form works for any defective
works.
Ensure that where foundations are stepped the
overlap is more than thickness of concrete layer.
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Concrete mix should be workable mix.
Ensure concreting for fire resistant structure as
per IS : 1642.
Dont allow concrete to be compacted in layer
exceeding what thickness is stipulated in specification.
Dont allow ramming/vibration of concrete once
the concrete has set.
Dont allow concreting in severe weather. If
unavoidable precautions as per IS : 7861 should be
followed.
Dont allow concrete to be thrown from a height.
(permissible free fall 1.5m as per IS : 456-2000)
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Dont do excessive vibration. Otherwise
segregation starts.
Do not allow any rubbish particularly
chippings
shavings and sawdust in the
interior of the forms
Do not allow construction joints by free flow
of concrete. It should be true vertical.
Ensure all Quality Assurance Measures
incorporated in IS : 456-2000.
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TESTINGS
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BUILDING BRICKS
Test to be done
Compressive Strength
Water absorption
Efflorescence
Warpage
Dimensions
Shape and texture
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Basis of Testing
IS : 3495 1976 (Part I to IV)
IS : 1077 1986
IS : 5454 1978
Sampling
Sampling may be done while bricks are in
motion or when they are stacked.
In both the cases a sample of 50 bricks should be
taken from every consignment of 50,000 bricks
or part thereof. Samples should be stored
in dry place till tests are carried out.
Minimum number of bricks required for testing
is 20. www.constroinfo.com
CEMENT
Test to be Performed
Fineness
Soundness
Setting Time
Compressive and tensile strength
Chemical Requirements
Drying shrinkage for PPC
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Basis of Testing
IS : 269 1976 for OPC
IS : 8112 1976 for High strength
IS : 1489 1976 for PPC
Sampling
A fair average sample should be obtained from a
mixture of approximately equal portions taken from
12
different bags. Final sample should not weigh less
than
10 kgs
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COARSE& FINE AGGREGATE
Tests to be Performed
Sieve analysis
Specific gravity, density, voids, moisture
content/absorption and bulking
Organic impurities
Flankiness Index
Elongation Index
Aggregate impact value
Aggregate crushing value
Aggregate abrasion value
Soundness of aggregate
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Basis of Testing and Sampling
IS : 2386 1963 (Part I to VIII)
IS : 383 - 1970
IS : 5640 1970
IS : 2430 - 1986
Sampling
The sampling is to be carried out as per IS : 2430
for each lot of 15m3 or part thereof. Material
of each nominal size should be separately sampled. The
weight of sample to be sent should
be as
follows :Max size present
Size of Sample in kg
(i)
Coarse aggregate 63 cm
100 Kg
(ii)
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40mm and
below
50 Kg
Aggregate should be packed in double gunny bags to
prevent loss in transit. The size of aggregates should be
prominently marked on gunny bags.
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MILD STEEL & MEDIUM TENSILE STEEL
Tests to be Performed
Tolerance in dimension weight
Tensile test
Reverse bend test
Basis of Tests
IS : 432 1982 226 - 1975
IS : 1786 1985 (for Deformed bars)
IS : 4905 1968
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Sampling
For tensile test, one test piece should be selected for
every 40 tonne and for cold bend test one piece should be
selected for every 20 tonne. A separate test is to be
carried
out for each diameter or for thickness of bar.
Length of
specimen for each test should not be less than
1.5m
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CONCRETE
Tests to be Performed
Workability
Compressing Strength
Core strength (where required)
Flexure strength (where required)
Basis of Tests
IS : 1199 - 1959
IS : 516 1959
IS : 456 2000
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Frequency of sampling.
Workability to be tested for each batch of concrete as
per IS : 456 2000
Compressive strength by casting 3 cube samples for 7
days and 28 days, be tested in accordance with
IS : 456 2000
Flexure strength by costing 3 beams samples for 7 days
and 28 days be tested.
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GENERAL
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Some important points are mentioned below :
Study carefully all drawings, specifications, SSR
and contract conditions. Always have copies of
above
mentioned documents readily available for
consultation.
Get conversant with all the relevant TDs of
the Zone
Do not hesitate to point out any mistake in
drawings, specifications or contract documents. In case
of doubt , get clarification from your
officer.
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superior
Keep samples of all materials to be
incorporated in works for ready comparison
with approved samples kept in GEs
sample
room.
Ensure deployment of qualified site engineer
by the contractor.
Ensure better co-ordination between E/M
and B/R activities of the project.
For RCC framed, construction of panel walls
& partition wall should be proceeded with
from top down ward
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For RCC frame structures, the drgs/provisions of
ductility provisions should be well understood.
Do not adopt a very fast pace of construction to avoid
cracking.
Ensure that essential field testing equipment such
as plumb bob, measuring tape, spirit level,
compass, leveling instrument etc are in good
condition
readily available.
Ensure all the tests specified in Contract Agreement of
the Zone as per Appx D .
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Ensure that all work site documents like works Diary,
site instruction book, stage - passing register, measurement book, testing register, steel acceptance register,
sample passing register etc are properly filled
regularly or periodically.
See that contractors work is properly organized and
executed with efficient manner.
A proper job-oriented CPM analysis chart should
be prepared with the help of contractor and work
executed accordingly.
Ensure STEs/TEs obsns are replied and recoveries/
rectifications effected promptly
Ensure users participation since inception of the
project.
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THANK YOU
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