Quality Assurance Handbook for Rural Roads Volume-I - pmgsy
Quality Assurance Handbook for Rural Roads Volume-I - pmgsy
Quality Assurance Handbook for Rural Roads Volume-I - pmgsy
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3. STONE MASONRY<br />
3.1 Stones<br />
<strong>Quality</strong> <strong>Assurance</strong> <strong>Handbook</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Rural</strong> <strong>Roads</strong><br />
The principle requirements of a building stone are strength, density and durability. All stones<br />
other than those of sedimentary origin are suitable <strong>for</strong> stone masonry work. Some of the<br />
requirements and simple tests are indicated below:<br />
(i) The stones should be hard, tough, compact grained and of uni<strong>for</strong>m texture and colour.<br />
(ii) They should be free from cracks, decay, weathering defects like cavities, flaws, veins, sand<br />
holes and patches of loose/soft material.<br />
(iii) Break a stone with a hammer. The surface of a freshly broken stone should be bright, clean<br />
and sharp and should show uni<strong>for</strong>mity of texture without loose grains and be free from any<br />
dull chalky or earthy appearance.<br />
(iv) If a drop of dilute hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid on a piece of stone causes effervescence,<br />
the stone contains weathering materials.<br />
(v) A sample of stone when struck with a 1 kg hammer should emit a ringing sound and should<br />
not break with one blow. A pen-knife when scratched on surface should not make an<br />
impressions on hard stone.<br />
3.2 Cement-Lime (Composite) Mortar<br />
Lime is classified as quick and hydraulic lime. The quick lime is obtained by calcination of pure<br />
lime stone, chalk or sea shells. It is nearly white and increases in bulk two or three times its<br />
original volume when slaked. It does not set but dissolves in water and has no cementing property.<br />
Hydraulic lime is obtained by burning clayey lime stones or kankar and it sets and hardens under<br />
water. In <strong>Rural</strong> Road works only class A and B (hydraulic and semi-hydraulic type) lime mortars<br />
con<strong>for</strong>ming to IS:712 are permitted in composite mortar. Use of quick lime is not permitted.<br />
Strict control over mix proportion (Cement:Lime:Sand) shall be exercised to ensure that the mortar<br />
mix con<strong>for</strong>ming to the mix proportion specified in the contract. Normally, a proportion of 1:3:9<br />
(Cement:Lime:Sand) is used in masonry works.<br />
Purity of lime shall be determined in accordance with IS:1514.<br />
3.3 Cement Mortar<br />
Refer to 4.4<br />
4. CONCRETE FOR STRUCTURES<br />
4.1 Water<br />
Water should be clean and free from oils, acids, alkalies, vegetable and other organic impurities.<br />
Water shall be got tested be<strong>for</strong>e the start of works, thereafter each monsoon till completion of<br />
works. Some of the simple tests to fairly judge the suitability of water in cement-concrete works<br />
are given below:<br />
(i) Presence of acids or alkalies in water can be tested by litmus paper. If blue litmus paper<br />
turns red, it indicates acidity; while the red litmus paper turning blue indicates alkalinity.<br />
Rapid change in colour of litmus paper indicates significant amounts of acids or alkalies.<br />
Appendix-1/5