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TECHNICAL PAPER

to integrate thermal simulation, low-heat materials, and oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and graphene
performance-based stress control, ensuring durability and nanoplatelets (GNPs).
structural reliability in mass concrete applications.
2. Low‑energy aggregate and concrete: Low-energy
aggregate synthesis using mineral carbonation converts
5. CONCLUDING REMARKS
CO 2 into stable carbonates within industrial by-products
The comprehensive research undertaken by NCCBM has or fines, producing engineered aggregates while
significantly advanced India’s capabilities in concrete materials, simultaneously achieving carbon sequestration and
construction technology, and standardization. Evidence-based reducing the embodied energy of concrete. Mineral
studies on cementitious materials, aggregates, admixtures, carbonation of concrete as well as aggregates.
thermal behavior, and structural performance have shaped major
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
revisions of core standards, including IS: 456, IS: 383,
IS: 9103, IS: 1199, IS: 516, and IS: 2386. These contributions have The author gratefully acknowledges the valuable research
transformed Indian concrete codes from prescriptive, material- contributions of Er. V V Arora, Er. Amit Trivedi, Er. Brijesh Singh,
centric documents to modern, performance-driven frameworks Er. Puneet Kaura, Er. Arup Ghatak and other team members of
aligned with global best practices. The adoption of ultrafine Centre for Construction Development and Research at National
SCMs, recycled aggregates, advanced admixtures, and low- Council for Cement and Building Materials. Special thanks are
carbon binders, along with updated testing methodologies extended to the Dr. L P Singh, Director General, NCCBM, for
and durability-based design approaches, support sustainable granting permission to publish this article.
and resilient infrastructure. Collectively, these revisions reflect
REFERENCES
a shift toward performance-based design, sustainable material
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ensuring that Indian standards remain responsive to emerging practice“, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India.
technologies, environmental imperatives, and the evolving
demands of the construction sector. [2] IS: 383 (2016). “Coarse and fine aggregate for concrete:
Specification“, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi,
6. FUTURE RESEARCH ROADMAP India.
The group aims to strengthen contributions to standard [3] IS: 516 Part 1 / Sec 1 (2021). “Hardened concrete: Methods
development and sustainable construction policies in India. of test: Part 1: Testing of strength of hardened concrete:
The future research program emphasizes carbon-neutral Section 1: Compressive, flexural and split tensile strength”,
binders, low-energy aggregate synthesis, multi-scale durability Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India.
modelling, machine-learning-based mix optimization, and
[4] IS: 1199 (1959). “Methods of sampling and analysis of
next-generation corrosion protection methods. NCCBM has
concrete“, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India
already taken a lead in these areas and is actively working on the
following two areas: [5] IS: 9103 (1999). “Concrete admixtures: Specification“,
Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India.
1. Nano‑engineered intelligent concrete: Hydration of
Portland cement involves dissolution, nucleation, and [6] IS: 2386 (1963). "Methods of Test for aggregates for
growth of calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) and other concrete", Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India.
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systems due to limited reactive surface area. Nano- [7] Ojha, P. N., Kaura, P., and Singh, B. (2024). “Studies on
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additives, by providing abundant active nucleation sites,
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concrete: An Indian case study”, Research on Engineering
Nanomaterials not only improve strength and durability
Structures & Materials, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 341-362.
but also serve as functional modifiers introducing electrical
conductivity, self-sensing capability, and enhanced [8] Arora, V. V., and Singh, B. (2016). “Durability studies on
resilience to micro cracking. NCCBM is working on Nano- prestressed concrete made with Portland pozzolana
Engineered Intelligent Concrete using Nano-silica (n-SiO 2 ) cement”, The Indian Concrete Journal, Vol. 90, No. 8,
and graphene-based materials (GBMs) including graphene pp. 50-58.

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