Table Of Contentइंटरनेट मानक
Disclosure to Promote the Right To Information
Whereas the Parliament of India has set out to provide a practical regime of right to
information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities,
in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
to the public, particularly disadvantaged communities and those engaged in the pursuit of
education and knowledge, the attached public safety standard is made available to promote the
timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.
“जान1 का अ+धकार, जी1 का अ+धकार” “प0रा1 को छोड न’ 5 तरफ”
Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan Jawaharlal Nehru
“The Right to Information, The Right to Live” “Step Out From the Old to the New”
SP 20 (1991): Handbook on Masonry Design and Construction
[CED 13: Building Construction Practices including
Painting, Varnishing and Allied Finishing]
“!ान $ एक न’ भारत का +नम-ण”
Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda
““IInnvveenntt aa NNeeww IInnddiiaa UUssiinngg KKnnoowwlleeddggee””
“!ान एक ऐसा खजाना > जो कभी च0राया नहB जा सकता हहहहै””ै”
Bhartṛhari—Nītiśatakam
“Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen”
HANDBOOK
ON
MASONRY DESIGN
AND
CONSTRUCTION
(First Revision)
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002
SP 20(S&T) : 1991
FIRST PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 1981
FIRST REVISION MARCH 1991
0 BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS 1991
UDC 693
ISBN 81-7061-029-X
PRICE Rs 200.00
PRINTED IN INDlA
AT KAPOOR ART PRESS, A3813 MAYAPURI, NEW DELHI
AND PUBLISHED BY
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS, NEW DELHI 110002
.
COMPOSITION dF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE FOR IMPLEMENTATION
OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS (SCIP)
Chairman
DR H. C. VISVESVARAYA
Vice-Chancellar
University of Roorkee
Roorkee
Members Representing
Dr M. Ramaiah Structural Engineering Research Centre
(CSIR), Madras
Dr R. K. Bhandari Central Building Research Institute,
Roorkee
Shri V. Rao Aiyagari Department of Science & Technology,
New Delhi
Shri Harish Chandra Central Public Works Department,
New Delhi
Shri M. L. Mehta Metallurgical and Engineering Consultants
(India) Ltd, Ranchi
Shri S. K. Datta (Alfernare)
Shri J. D. Chaturvedi Planning Commission, New Delhi
Shri J. Venkataraman Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi
(Member Secretary~
As in the Original Standard, this Page is Intentionally Left Blank
FOREWORD
Users of various civil en ineering codes have been feeling the need for
explanatory handbooks and ot i er compilations based on Indian Standards. The
need has been further emphasized in view of the first publication of the National
Building Code of India in 1970 (which has since been revised in 1983) and its
implementation. The Expert Group set up in 1972 by the Department of Science
and Technology, Government of India carried out in-depth studies in various areas
of civil engineering and construction practices. During the preparation of the Fifth
Five-Year Plan in 1975, the Group was assigned the task of producing a Science
and Technology Plan for research, development and extension work in the sector of
housing and construction technology. One of the items of this plan was the
formulation of design handbooks,‘explanatory handbooks and design aids based on
the National Building Code and various lndian Standards and other activities in the
promotion of the National Building Code. The Expert Group gave high priority to
this item and on the recommendation of the Department of Science and
Technology, the Planning Commission approved the following two projects which
were assigned to the Bureau of Indian Standards (erstwhile Indian Standards
Institution):
a) Development programme on code implementation for building and civil
engineering construction, and
b) Typification for industrial buildings.
A special committee for Implementation of Science and Technology Projects
(SClP) consisting of experts connected with different aspects was set up in 1974 to
esivda‘ the BIS Directorate General in identifying and for guiding the development
of the work. Under the first project, the Committee has identified several subjects
for preparing explanatory hadbooks/compilations covering appropriate .Indian
Standards/codes specifications which include the following:
*Handbooks Published:
.I Design Aids for Reinforced Concrete to IS 456 : 1978 (SP 16 : 1980)
2. Explanatory Handbook on Codes of Earthquake Engineering (1s 1893 : 1975
and IS 4326 : 1976) (SP 22 : 1982)
3. Handbook on Concrete Mixes (SP 23 : 1982)
4. Explanatory Handbook on Indian Standard Code of Practice for Plain and
Reinforced C o ncrete (IS 456 : 1978) (SP 24 : 1983)
Handbook on C auses and Prevention of Cracks in Buildings (SP 25 : )4891
Summaries of Indian Standards for Building Materials (SP 21 : 1983)
Handbook on Concrete Reinforcement and Detailing (SP 34 : 1987)
Handbook on Functional Requirements of lndustrial Buildings (Lighting
and Ventilation) (SP 32 : 1986)
9. Handbook on Timber Engineering (SP 33 : 1986)
10. Handbook on Water Supply and Drainage with Special Emphasis on
Plumbing (SP 35 : 1987)
I I. Handbook on Functional Requirements of Buildings (other than
Industrial Buildings) (SP 41 : 1987)
S&iects Under Programme:
--Foundation of Buildings
--Construction Safety Practices
Building Construction Practices
*Handbooks published are available for sale from BIS Headquarters, and from all Branches
and Regianal Offices of BE.
-Formwork
-Fire Safety
-Tall Buildings
-Loading Code
The Explanatory Handbook on Masonry Code SP 20 (S&T) was first
published in 1981 to provide commentary on various clauses of Part Vl, Section 4
of National Building Code of India 1970 (which was based on IS 1905 : 1969
version) with the object of promoting and facilitating the use of the masonry code.
The handbook has been found to be very helpful to professional engineers. This
handbook while providing commentary on various clauses highlighted certain
improvements modifications that were needed in the basic code (IS 1905 : 1969).
Subsequent to publication of the handbook, the code (IS 1905) was revised in 1980
(IS 1905 : 1980) taking into consideration the recommendations contained in the
handbook (see also Introduction).
The code was further revised in 1987 as a result of the experience gained with
the use of 1980 version of the code and also other developments in other parts of
the world in the design and construction refinements of masonry structures. The
revision of the handbook was also taken up simultaneously along with the revision
of the code to make it up-to-date. At the same time it was felt that it would be
helpful and handy to professionals if information relating to construction practices
based on various Indian Standards on masonry was also included along with the
commentary. Therefore masonry construction practices have now been included in
the revised handbook and the title of the handbook has been changed accordingly.
The revised handbook is in two parts. Part I gives commentary on ‘IS
1905 : 1987 Code of practice for structural use of unreinforced masonry (second
revision)’ along with design examples (IS 1905 : 1987 has also been included in the
National Building Code Part VI, Section 4 Masonry through amendment No. 2)
and Part 2 gives all construction aspects relating to masonry construction based on
relevant Indian Standards and other literature available on the subject.
The following points are to be kept in view while using the handbook:
4 Wherever the expression ‘The Code’ has been used in the handbook, it refers to
IS 1905 : 1987.
b) Part 1 of the handbook is to be read along with IS 1905 : 1987.
c) The clause numbers in Part I of handbook refer to the corresponding clause
numbers in IS 1905 : 1987. The clauses are explained in the same sequence as
/ they occur in IS 1905 : 1987. When there are no comments to a particular
clause, the same ha s been omitted.
4 For convenience figures and tables appearing in Part 1 of the handbook are
identified with Prefix ‘E’ to distinguish them from those used in the code. For
example, Figure E-3 refers to the figure in the handbook whereas Figure 3
refers to that given in the Code. Where a clause is pre-fixed by letter ‘E’, it
refers to comments on that clause in the handbook.
)e Notations as per IS 1905 : 1987 are maintained with additional notations
wherever necessary.
)f
The handbook does not form part of any Indian Standard on the subject and
does not have the status of an Indian Standard. Wherever there is any dispute
about the interpretation or opinion expressed in this handbook, the provisions
of the Code(s) only shall apply; the provisions of this handbook should be
considered as only supplementary and informative.
g) References cited have been listed at the end of each part of the handbook.
The handbook, it is hoped would be useful to practising engineers and field
engineers in the design and construction of masonry work. It would also be helpful
to students of civil engineering to acquaint themselves with the various provistons
of the basic Code on masonry and construction practices.
The handbook is based on first draft revision prepared by Shri M. S. Bhatia,
retired Engineer-in-Chief, Central Public Works Department (Government of
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