BUILDING CODES

Building code is a set of rules that specify the minimum standards for constructed objects such
as buildings and non building structures. The main purpose of building codes are to protect
public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of
buildings and structures.
Building codes are generally intended to be applied by architects, engineers, constructors
and regulators but are also used for various purposes by safety inspectors, environmental
scientists, real estate developers, subcontractors, manufacturers of building products and
materials, insurance companies, facility managers, tenants, and others. Codes regulating the
design and construction of structures where adopted into law.
A building code specifies minimum requirements with regard to a safe structure. It should be
clearly understood that a building code is not intended to replace basic engineering principals,
knowledge, judgment and experience. It does not relieve the designer of the responsibility for
having a safe and economical structure.
For a RCC structure, it is necessary that it should conform certain minimum specifications with
regard to design and constructions. These specifications are being constantly revised and
improved as results of years of analytical and experimental research pour in. The Bureau of
Indian Standards issues building codes requirement from time to time. Here for this project I had
to overlook over certain IS codes which were essential for the completion of the project. The IS
codes which I referred to are listed and described as per the sequence followed.

IS456:2000 Plain and Reinforced Concrete Code of Practice:

This standard deals with the general structure use of plain and reinforce concrete.
The stated aim of design to IS 456:2000 is the achievement of an acceptable probability
that structures being designed will perform satisfactorily during their intended life. With
an appropriate degree of safety, they should sustain all the loads and deformations of
normal construction and use and have adequate durability and adequate resistance to the
effects of misuse and fire.
SP:16-Design Aids For Reinforced Concrete IS 456:1978
The main objective of these design aids is to reduce design time in the use of certain
clauses in the Code for the design of beams, slabs and columns in general building
structures.
This explanatory handbook would cover the basis/source of each clause; the
interpretation of the clause and worked out examples to illustrate the application of the
clauses.
IS875:Part(I) - Code of Practice for Design Loads (Dead Load)
This code (Part I) covers unit weight/mass of materials, and parts or components in a
building that apply to the determination of dead loads in the design of buildings.

The unit weight/mass of materials that are likely to be stored in a building are also
specified for the purpose of load calculations along with angles of internal friction as
appropriate.
IS875: Part(II) - Code of Practice for Design Loads (Imposed Load)
This standard (Part 2) covers imposed loads*(live loads) to be assumed in the design of
buildings. The imposed loads, specified herein, are minimum loads which should be
taken into consideration for the purpose of structural safety of buildings.
This Code does not cover detailed provisions for loads incidental to construction and
special cases of vibration, such as moving machinery, heavy acceleration from cranes,
hoists and the like. Such loads shall be dealt with individually in each case.

IS875: Part(III) - Code of Practice for Design Loads (Wind Load)

This standard gives wind forces and their effects (static and dynamic) that should be
taken into account when designing buildings, structures and components thereof.
It is believed that ultimately wind load estimation will be made by taking into account the
random variation of wind speed with time but available theoretical methods have not
matured sufficiently at present for use in the code. For this season, static wind method of
load estimation which implies a steady wind speed, which has proved to be satisfactory
for normal, short and heavy structures.
This code also applies to buildings or other structures during erection/construction and
the same shall be considered carefully during various stages of erection/construction. In
locations where the strongest winds and icing may occur simultaneously, loads on
structural members, cables and ropes shall be calculated by assuming an ice covering
based on climatic and local experience.

IS1893:2002 - Criteria for earthquake resistant Design of Structures

This standard deals with assessment of seismic loads on various structures and
earthquake resistant design of buildings. Its basic provisions are applicable to buildings;
elevated structures; industrial and stack like structures; bridges; concrete masonry and
earth dams; embankments and retaining walls and other structures.
This standard does not deal with the construction features relating to earthquake resistant
design in buildings and other structures.

IS13920 Ductile Detailing of Reinforced Concrete Structure Subjected to Seismic

Forces
This standard covers the requirements for designing and detailing of monolithic
reinforced concrete buildings so as to give them adequate toughness and ductility to resist
severe earthquake shocks without collapse.
The provisions for reinforced concrete construction given herein apply specifically to
monolithic reinforced concrete construction. Precast and/or pre stressed concrete
members may be used only if they can provide the same level of ductility as that of a
monolithic reinforced concrete construction during or after an earthquake.

SP:34-handbook on concrete reinforcement and detailing

This Handbook provides information on properties of reinforcing steel and detailing
requirements, including storage, fabrication, assembly, welding and placing of
reinforcement in accordance with IS : 456-1978. As a result of the introduction of limit
state method of design for reinforced concrete structures and the concept of development
length, detailing has become extremely important as many of the design requirements are
to be met through detailing. This Handbook is expected to guide the designer in detailing
which include correct positioning of bare for a particular type of structural element and
preparation of bar bending schedule. The detailing requirements as specified in IS: 4561978 have been brought out as applicable to different structural elements in a building
and explained, wherever necessary.