AN OVERVIEW OF REVISIONS IN IS 456 : 2000

‘CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PLAIN AND REINFORCED CONCRETE’

6. Revisions in Annex B : Structural design (Working Stress Method)

• It is interesting to note that the value of the Modulus of Elasticity of

concrete has been reduced by about 12%. But there is no
corresponding increase in the value of modular ratio ‘m’ which has
been kept same (280/3 σcbc) as earlier code. The reason is not very
clear.
• Due to introduction of higher grade of concrete, values of tensile
stresses for concrete of grade M 45 and M 50 have been added.
Similarly, values of permissible compressive stresses and bond
stresses for concrete of grade M 45 and M 50 have been added in
Table 21.
• In terms of Clause B-4.3 of the new code, it is now mandatory that
members subjected to combine direct load and bending be designed
by Limit State Method only.

• It has already been mentioned vide para 5.3 above that in Table 23,
the percentage area of longitudinal tension reinforcement has been
added below 0.15 and above 3.0 for design shear strength
calculations. The value of design shear strength for M 40 for different
percentage area of tensile reinforcement as given in earlier code has
been retained for M 40 and above in the new code.

• In Table 24 specifying Maximum shear stress in concrete even with

shear reinforcement, the value for M 40 given in earlier code has been
retained for M 40 and above in the new code.

• Provision for enhanced shear strength of sections close to supports

has been added for Working Stress Method also in a similar manner as
already explained vide para 5.5 above for Limit State Method.

• Modification in design for torsion as explained vide para 5.6 above has
been included in Working Stress Method also.

7. Revisions in Annex E : Effective length of columns

• A method to determine whether a column is a no sway or a sway

column by computing stability index has been added vide clause E-2.

• Reference to Fig. 26 as given in line 5 of clause E-1 should be read as

Fig. 27. This is typographical mistake.

8. CONCLUSIONS

• Every revision of IS 456 has a special milestone. 1964 revision brought

out Ultimate Load Method of design, 1978 is known for introduction of
 AN OVERVIEW OF REVISIONS IN IS 456 : 2000
‘CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PLAIN AND REINFORCED CONCRETE’

Limit State concept and in the new code i.e. 2000 revision major thrust
has been on Durability aspects.

• Enhancement in durability of concrete structures depends on

numerous factors to be taken care of during planning; design and
detailing; construction and service. Some of these are mentioned
below:

∗ Proper assessment of environment

∗ Selection of right material and mixes
∗ Efficient design and detailing including concrete cover
∗ Proper production, placement, compaction and curing of concrete
∗ Enforcement of acceptance criteria
∗ Development of Quality Assurance Plan and inspection and testing
of constituent materials and structures.
∗ Preventive maintenance

The new revision of the code has modified and enlarged the clauses
comprehensively to cover all factors governing durability of concrete
structures.

• The new code has taken bold steps in introducing high

strength/performance concrete up to grade M 80.
• Encouragement in the use of new materials like fly ash, silica fume,
Ground Granulated Blast Furnace slag, various types of cements
presently being manufactured, admixtures, PVC cover blocks, etc. is
considered to be a progressive approach.
• Some aspects of concrete technology though very common but are not
in practice to real sense like alkali aggregate reaction, preference to
natural aggregates, under water concreting, etc. have been
modified/elaborated.
• Introduction of certain clauses like minimum grade of concrete,
increased nominal cover, etc. from durability considerations though will
involve increase in initial cost but would ultimately result in reduction of
overall life cycle cost of the structure due to enhanced durability.
• The new code has encouraged the use of Limit State Method design
by shifting Working Stress Method from the body of the code to
Annexure.
• More scientific approaches like crack width calculations, enhanced
shear strength of sections near supports, maximum cement content,
etc. has been introduced.
 AN OVERVIEW OF REVISIONS IN IS 456 : 2000
‘CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PLAIN AND REINFORCED CONCRETE’

• The code has not mentioned about permeability test of concrete, which
is an important check for ensuring durability. No mention has also been
made about Thermo-mechanically Treated (TMT) reinforcement bars
and various types of protective coating of concrete and reinforcement
bars.

In this report an attempt has been made only to highlight the important
changes/modification brought out in IS 456 : 2000. Many of these changes
have already appeared in Railways’ Concrete Bridge Code, which was
revised in 1997; earlier to revision of IS 456. But still there remain certain
important changes, which are worth considering for inclusion in IRS
Concrete Bridge Code.