Page 13 - ICJ Jan 2026

TECHNICAL PAPER

516, and IS: 2386 [1-6] . Contributions include classification of 5. Adoption of structural lightweight concrete using sintered
alternative aggregates, incorporation of new exposure classes fly ash aggregates.
for durability, updated testing protocols, performance-based
criteria for admixtures, and harmonization of mechanical and 6. Introduction of a hybrid creep model for accurate long-
durability requirements with global best practices. term deflection and prestress‑loss prediction.

4.1 Revision of IS: 456 structural concrete‑ 7. Comprehensive limit-state durability design with exposure-
class-based requirements such as 4 classes of exposure
code of practice
conditions for carbonation induced corrosion environment,
IS: 456, the Indian Standard Code of Practice for Plain and 7 classes of exposure conditions for chloride induced
Reinforced Concrete, was first published in 1953 and subsequent corrosion environment, 3 classes of exposure conditions
revised in 1957 and 1964 to provide basic guidance on concrete for sulphate environment and 3 classes of exposure
materials, design and construction. A major scientific shift took conditions for freeze and thaw environment has been
place in 1978 with the introduction of Limit State Design. A
comprehensive revision came in 2000, incorporating advances in proposed in IS 456 in line with EN 206 environmental
concrete materials, durability provisions, workmanship, testing, conditions. Additionally, predictive carbonation/chloride
and alignment with structural engineering practices. Since then, modelling and electrical resistivity performance testing
IS: 456 (2000) has been reaffirmed several times. BIS is currently was also introduced.
working on a new revision to incorporate modern durability and 8. Integration of performance‑based structural fire design,
sustainability concepts, advanced materials such as blended including temperature-dependent material degradation
cements and SCMs, and performance-based design principles, curves and advanced thermal-structural analysis options.
[45]
although it has not yet been released. Currently, IS: 456 is
under revision with the titled “Structural Concrete-Code of 9. Introduction of Construction Quality Control Classes (QC1,
Practice”, its incorporates a transformational upgrade from QC2, QC3) based on project scale, risk level, and durability
the 2000 edition, moving from prescriptive specifications to a requirements, defining mandatory testing frequency and
modern performance-based design philosophy aligned with acceptance criteria
ACI 318, Eurocode 2, fib Model Code 2010 and EN 206. The new
provisions integrate advanced concrete technologies, high- 4.2 Revision of IS: 10262 concrete mix design
performance materials, durability modelling and structural fire guidelines
engineering to support long-life and resilient infrastructure. The
key changes and additions based on work done by the research IS: 10262 was first published in 1982 and substantially revised
group for revision of IS: 456 are as under: in 2009 to become the Indian guideline for concrete mix
proportioning. Based on the research work done by this group,
1. Broadened acceptance of Supplementary Cementitious IS: 10262 (2019) revision significantly expands the scope of
Materials (SCMs) such as ultrafine GGBS, processed fly ash, concrete mix design. While the 2009 code mainly covered
silica fume, metakaolin, rice husk ash, LC³ components, normal strength concrete, the 2019 version introduces detailed
and calcined clays procedures for high-strength concrete (above M60), Self-

2. Expanded coverage of modern chemical admixtures, Compacting Concrete (SCC), and mass concrete, making it
including HRWR/polycarboxylate ether (PCE), shrinkage- more comprehensive. It also includes updated guidelines for
reducing admixtures, viscosity-modifying admixtures, the use of mineral admixtures and chemical admixtures, revised
corrosion inhibitors, and self-compacting concrete approaches for determining target mean strength, and improved
admixtures. methods for adjusting workability, water-cement ratio, air
content and aggregate proportions. To align with the ongoing
3. High-strength concrete (HSC) upgraded with provisions revision of IS: 456, which emphasizes performance-based
addressing explosive spalling and suggesting
durability provisions against carbonation and chloride induced
polypropylene fibres above M60 for fire safety.
reinforcement corrosion environment, exposure classifications,
4. Introduction of high-performance concrete (HPC) based and service life design of concrete structure; the future revision
on performance criteria such as permeability, abrasion of IS: 10262 must integrate durability-based mix-design
resistance, shrinkage control and enhanced ductility. principles by linking water-binder ratio, binder composition, and
Formal coverage of fibre‑reinforced concrete for superior cover requirements directly to exposure categories derived from
tensile performance and crack control. deterioration mechanisms and target service life.

92 THE INDIAN CONCRETE JOURNAL | JANUARY 2026