Spot bonding of tile / stone – Spot fixing

Standard AS3958-1 2007: 54.6.2c states "spot fixing where the tiles are fixed with four or five dabs of adhesive is not recommended and should be avoided at all tiles".

This technique should ensure that the final bed of adhesive does not exceed 3mm and voids behind the tiles are kept to a minimum.  

To internal applications where there are dry conditions, notched trowel techniques should be employed using the following size trowel in relation to the tile format.

1. 200x200mm - 8mm notched trowel

2. 250x250mm - 10mm notched trowel

3. 300x300 - 12mm notched trowel

4. 400x400mm and above  -12mm notched trowel and buttering of the tile

It is not acceptable to spot bond tiles on floors.  For residential dry area applications, tiles are suppose to have at least 80% thin-set contact with full support at all edges and corners.  Tiles in wet areas should have at least 95% thin-set coverage.  Areas of the tile that are unsupported are susceptible to damage if subjected to live loads.

The tile should not crack or flex, or become de-bonded.  That suggests that the substrate is not stable and may have excessive deflection.   To determine if the problem is an isolated condition or systemic, you have to remove and inspect tiles in different areas.   If both the problem tiles and tiles without any sign of a problem are found to be deficient then you would likely need to replace all of the tiles.

I assume that when you say scratch coat you are referring to the mortar bed under the tile to which the tile is bonded.  If after the tile is removed, if the mortar bed is structurally sound, it can be reused if properly prepared.  If the problem resides in the substrate because of excessive deflection, then you have to repair the substrate.

Moisture damage can be a big problem with tiles that have been applied through the dot and dab method. Even waterproof adhesive cannot compensate for gaps where the area between the back of the tile and underlying surface is not filled. Moisture can cause mould and dampness which over time will not only cause damage to the underlying surface but may also result in the tiles becoming loose. Moisture can also penetrate through to the surface of the tiles, causing permanent staining.

Dot and dab tiling does not provide a secure fix on floors. Areas beneath the tile which are not covered with a layer of adhesive will be weaker and therefore more likely to crack under pressure.

We have seen many more failure of stones installed at sill, jambs and as coping at both internal and external areas. These has become common even when we use high-end tile & stone adhesives for the installation. The main reason for this failure is the irregular dimension of stones. Then what is the right size of the stone when we planned to install them at sill, jambs and as coping stones?

India standard – IS 1127 - Recommendations for dimensions and workmanship of natural building stones for masonry work, clearly explains about the size of the sill and coping stones dimensions.

So, when we limit the size of the stone as per the above dimensions, we have seen many success in stone installation.

What is range consideration for BMI

 What is BMI - How to find out BMI – Formula for BMI – Calculation of BMI 

Full form of BMI is Body Mass Index.

BMI = Weight of body in kilograms divided by height of body in meters squared.

For Example:

My weight is 85.2 Kg and my height is 176 Cm.

Let us convert height to meters = 176/100 = 1.76

So BMI = 85.2 / 1.762

  = 85.2 / 3.09

  = 27.5

What is range consideration for BMI?

Underweight = Less than 19

Normal = 19 to 24

Overweight = 25 to 29

Obesity = 29 or greater

I am Overweight. 

Normally we cannot control our height. 

Hence, we can plan control the weight. If my weight reduces to 65 Kg, BMI = 20.98 – Normal

In case if my weight reaches to 90, BMI will be 25.12… Means I reached to Obesity.

Now What is your BMI……

Which are most referred standards in construction?

Here are some of the most referred standards in construction referred in specification:

1. General

IS: 875 (Part 3) Code of practice for design loads (other than earthquake) for buildings and structures

IS: 1200 (Part 4) Methods of measurement of building and Civil engineering works-Stone masonry.

IS: 1237 Specification for cement concrete flooring tiles

IS: 1322 Bitumen felts for water proofing and damp-proofing

IS: 1893 Criteria for earthquake resistant design of structures

IS: 2185 (Part 1) Concrete masonry units: Hollow and solid concrete blocks

IS: 2185 (Part 2) Concrete masonry units: Hollow and solid light weight concrete blocks

IS: 2185 (Part 3) Concrete masonry units: Autoclaved cellular aerated concrete blocks

IS: 2572 Code of Practice for construction of hollow concrete block masonry

IS: 3414 Code of practice for design and installation of joints in buildings

IS: 3462 Specification for unbacked flexible PVC flooring

IS: 5318 Code of practice for laying of flexible PVC sheet and tile flooring

IS: 6408 (Parts 1, 2) Recommendations for modular co-ordination in building industry -tolerances

IS: 8183 Bonded mineral wool

IS:10958 General check list of functions of joints in building

IS:11817 Classification of joints in buildings for accommodation of dimensional deviations during construction

IS:11818 Method of test for laboratory determination of air permeability of joints in buildings

IS:12440 Precast concrete stone masonry blocks 

BS: 476 (Part 7) Method for classification of the surface spread of flame of products

BS:476 (Part 20) Method of determination of the fire resistance of elements of construction (general principles)

BS:476 (Part 22) Methods for determination of the fire resistance of non-load bearing elements of construction

BS: 1245 Specification for metal door frames (steel)

BS:3261 Specification for unbacked flexible PVC flooring

BS:3261: Part 1 Homogeneous flooring

BS:5215 Specification for one-part gun grade polysulphide-based sealants

BS: 5606 Guide to accuracy in building

BS:5725 (Part 1) Specification for panic bolts and panic latches mechanically operated by a horizontal push-bar

BS:6093 Code of practice for the design of joints and jointing in building construction

BS:8200 Code of practice for the design of non-load bearing external vertical enclosure of building

ASTM C332 Specification for light weight aggregate for insulating concrete

ASTM C635 Specification for the manufacture, performance and testing of metal suspension systems for acoustical tile and lay-in panel ceilings

ASTM D5882 Standard Test Method for Low Strain Integrity Testing of Piles

ASTM D6760 Standard Test Method for Integrity Testing of Concrete Deep Foundations by Ultrasonic Crosshole Testing

NBC 2016 National Building Code of India 

SP 23 Handbook on Concrete Mixes

2. Bitumen

IS: 702 Industrial Bitumen

IS:3384 Specification for bitumen primer for use in waterproofing and damp-proofing

3. Building Construction Practices

IS: 1838 (Parts I and II) Specifications for preformed fillers for expansion joint in concrete pavements and structures.

IS: 1946 Code of Practice for use of fixing devices in walls, ceilings, and floors of solid construction.

IS: 3414 Code of Practice for design and installation of joints in buildings

IS: 6509 Code of Practice for installation of joints in concrete pavements

IS: 11134 Code of Practice for setting out of buildings

IS: 11433 Parts I and II. Specifications for one-part Gun grade polysulphide based joint sealant

IS: 12200 Code of Practice for provision of water stops at transverse contraction joints in masonry and concrete dams

IS 16471 and BS 8102:2009 for below ground waterproofing

AS 3740 for internal wet area

AS 4654 for above grade structure

AS 4858 for material selection for waterproofing

ASTM D 412 for mechanical properties of material / membranes

EN 1048 for hydrostatic water pressure

ASTM D 5385 for lateral water migration.

4. Cement

IS: 269 33 grade ordinary Portland cement

IS: 455 Portland Slag Cement

IS: 650 Specification for standard sand for testing cement

IS: 1489 (Part 1) Portland pozzolana cement: Flyash based

IS: 1489 (Part 2) Portland pozzolana cement: Calcined clay based

IS: 3535 Method of Sampling Hydraulic Cements

IS: 4031 (Parts 1 to 13) Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement.

IS: 4032 Method of chemical analysis of hydraulic cement.

IS: 6925 Methods of test for determination of water-soluble chlorides in concrete admixtures.

IS: 8042 White Portland Cement

IS: 8112 Specification for 43 grade ordinary Portland cement

IS: 12269 Specification for 53 grade ordinary Portland cement

IS: 12330 Specification for sulphate resistant Portland cement

IRS: T 40 Indian Railways standard specifications for special grade cement for use in concrete sleepers

5. Concrete

IS:456 Code of practice for plain and reinforced concrete.

IS:457 Code of practice for general construction of plain and reinforced concrete for dams and other massive structures.

IS:460 (Parts I to Ill) Specification for Test Sieves

IS:516 Methods of test for strength of concrete

IS: 1199 Methods of sampling & analysis of concrete.

IS:1200 Method of measurement of building and civil engineering

IS:1343 Code of practice for prestressed concrete

IS:1607 Method of Test Sieving

IS:2386 Parts I-VIII. Methods of tests for aggregates for concrete.

IS:2430 Methods of Sam piing of Aggregates of Concrete

IS:2438 Specification for roller pan mixer

IS:2514 Specification for concrete vibrating tables

IS:2571 Code of practice for laying in-sit u cement concrete flooring

IS:2645 Specifications for integral cement water proofing compounds

IS:2722 Specifications for portable swing batchers for concrete (double bucket type)

IS:2770 Methods of testing bond in reinforced concrete part I pull out test

IS: 3025 Methods of sampling and test (physical and chemical) for water & waste water

IS:3370 Code of practice for concrete structures for storage of liquids

IS:3935 Code of practice for composite construction

IS :4326 Code of practice for earthquake resistant construction of building

IS:6925 Methods of test for determination of water-soluble chlorides in concrete Admixtures

IS:7242 Specifications for concrete spreaders

IS:7251 Specifications for concrete finishers

IS:7861 Parts I & II. Code of practice for extreme weather concreting

IS:7969 Safety code for handling and storage of building materials

IS:8989 Safety code for erection of concrete framed structures

IS:8142 Methods of test for determining setting time of concrete by penetration resistance.

IS:9103 Specifications for admixtures for concrete

IS:9013 Method of making, curing and determining compressive strengths of accelerated cured concrete test specimens

IS:9284 Method of test for abrasion resistance of concrete

IS:10262 Recommended guidelines for concrete mix design.

MORTH Specifications for Road and Bridge Works, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Roads Wing)

IRS Concrete Bridge Code 1997 (Third revision 2004)

IRS Substructure & Foundation Code 1985 (Include.CS 1 To CS 8)

IRS Bridge Rules- 1986 (Include. CS 1 To 22)

IRS Durability of Concrete Structures - Report N° B514

IRC 6-2000 Standard Specification & Code of Practice for Road Bridges Loads and Stresses - Reprint APR 2006.

IRC 18-2000 Design Criteria for Prestressed Concrete Road Bridges (Post Tensioned Concrete) - Reprint JUN 2006.

IRC 78 Standard Specifications and Code of Practice for Road Bridges, Section VII - Foundation and Substructure (Second Revision)

IRC- SP- 33-1989 Guidelines on Supplemental Measures for Design, Detailing & Durability of Important Bridge Structures (only Clause No- 1, 2,3.1, 4.3.7, 4.3.8 & 4.3.9 are applicable)

IRC- SP-71-2006 Guidelines for Design and Construction of Precast pretensioned Girder s for bridges.

IRC 21-2000 Standard Specifications and Code of Practice for Road Bridges Section Ill - Cement Concrete (Plain & Reinforced) (First Revision)

ASTM -C-94 Ready Mix Concrete

6. Construction Plant and Machinery.

IS:1791 Specification for batch type concrete mixers.

IS:2505 General requirements for concrete vibrators: Immersion type.

IS:2506 General requirement s for screed board concrete vibrators.

IS:3366 Specification for pan vibrators.

IS:3558 Code of Practice for use of immersion vibrators for consolidating concrete.

IS:4656 Specifications for form vibrators for concrete

IS:4925 Specification for concrete batching and mixing plant.

IS:11993 Code of Practice for use of screed board concrete vibrators.

7. Formwork

IS:4990 Specifications for plywood for concrete shuttering work.

IRC:87 Guidelines for the design and erection of false work for road bridges.

IS:806 Code of practice for use of steel tubes in general building construction.

IS:1161 Specification of steel tubes for structural purposes.

IS:1239 Specification for mild steel tubes, tubulars and other wrought steel fittings.

8. Gypsum and Gypsum Board

IS:2095 Gypsum plaster boards

IS:2542 (Part 1/Sec 1 to 12) Methods of test for gypsum plaster, concrete and products: plaster and concrete

IS:2542 (Part 2/Sec 1 to 8) Methods of test for gypsum plaster, concrete and products: Gypsum products

IS:2547 (Part 1) Gypsum building plaster: Excluding premixed lightweight plaster

IS:2547(Part 2) Gypsum building plaster: Premixed lightweight plaster

9. Handling and Storage

IS:4082 Recommendation of Stacking and Storage of construction materials

IS:8348 Code of practice for stacking and packing of stone slabs for transportation

IS:8759 Code of practice for maintenance and preservation of stones in building

10. Instruments for Testing Cement and Concrete

IS:5513 Specification for vicat apparatus.

IS:5514 Specification for apparatus used in Le-Chaterlier test.

IS:5515 Specification for compaction factor apparatus.

IS:7320 Specification for concrete slump test apparatus.

IS:7325 Specification for apparatus to determine constituents of fresh concrete.

IS:10080 Specification for vibration machine

IS:10086 Specification for moulds for use in tests of cement and concrete

IS:10510 Specification for vee-bee consistometer.

11. Joint Fillers

IS:1838 (Part 1) Preformed fillers for expansion joint in concrete pavements and structures (non extruding and resilient type): Bitumen impregnated fibre

12. Paints and Coatings

IS:102 Ready mixed paint, brushing, red lead, non-setting, priming

IS:109 Ready mixed paint, brushing, priming, plaster, to Indian Standard Colour No. 361 and 631 white and off white.

IS:218 Creosote and anthracene oil for use as wood preservatives

IS:347 Varnish, shellac, for general purpose.

IS:348 French Polish

IS:2074 Ready mixed paint, air drying, red oxide-zinc chrome, priming

IS:4833 Methods of field testing of preservatives in wood

IS:10013 (Parts 1 to 3) Water soluble type wood preservatives

IS:10013 (Parts 1 to 3) (Part -1) Acid-copper-chrome preservative

IS:10013 (Parts 1 to 3) (Part-2) Copper-chrome -arsenic wood preservative

IS:10013 (Parts 1 to 3) (Part-3) Copper -chrome-boron wood preservative

BS:6496 Specification for powder organic coatings for application and stoving to aluminium alloy extrusions, sheet and preformed sections for external architectural purposes, and for the finish on aluminium alloy extrusions, sheet and preformed sections coated with powder organic coatings.

BS: EN:10152 Specification for electrolytically zinc coated cold rolled steel flat products. Technical delivery conditions

ASTM A 164-71 Specification for electrodeposited coatings of zinc on steel

13. Pigment for Cement

BS:1014 Specification for pigments for Portland cement and Portland cement products

14. Reinforcement & Structural Steel

IS:206 Code of Practice for use of Steel Tubes in General Building Construction

IS:210 Grey Iron Castings

IS:280 Mild steel wire for general engineering purposes

IS:432 Part I. Mild steel and medium tensile steel bars. Part II Hard drawn steel wire.

IS:451 Technical Supply conditions for Wood Screws

IS:806 Code of practice for use of steel tubes in general building construction

IS:808 Dimensions for Hot Rolled Steel Beam, Column, Channel and Angle Sections.

IS:815 Classification coding of covered electrodes for metal arc welding of structural steels

IS:1239 Specification for mild steel tubes, tubulars and other wrought steel fittings

IS:1363 Black hexagon bolts, nuts and lock nuts and black hexagon screws.

IS:1364 Hexagon Head Bolts, Screws and Nuts of Product Grades A & B (Part 1 to 5)

IS:1365 Slotted countersunk screws

IS:1566 (Part I) Specifications for hard-drawn steel wire fabric for concrete reinforcement.

IS:1786 Specification for high strength deformed steel bars and wires for concrete reinforcement.

IS:2502 Code of Practice for bending and fixing of bars for concrete reinforcement.

IS:2629 Recommended practice for hot-dip galvanising of iron and steel.

IS:2751 Code of Practice for welding of mild steel plain and deformed bars for reinforced concrete construction.

IS: 4759 Hot -dip zinc coating on structural steel and other allied products.

IS:5525 Recommendations for detailing of reinforcement in reinforced concrete works

IS:9417 Recommendations for welding cold-worked steel bars for reinforced concrete construction.

IS:14268 Uncoated stress relieved low relaxation steel class 2 for Prestressed concrete

IS:226 Structural steel (Standard Quality)

IS:800 Code of practice for use of structural steel in general building construction.

IS:801 Code of practice for use of cold formed light gauge steel structural members in general building construction

IS:811 Specifications for cold formed light gauge structural steel sections.

IS:813 Scheme of symbols for welding.

IS:814 Covered electrodes for metal arc welding of structural steel. (Part I & Part II)

IS:816 Code of practice for use of metal arc welding for general construction in mild steel.

IS:817 Code of Practice for Training and Testing of Metal Arc Welders

IS:822 Code of practice for inspection of welds.

IS:919 ISO System of limits & Fits (Part 1 & Part 2)

IS:961 Structural steel (High Tensile)

IS:1024 Code of practice for use of welding in bridges and structures subject to dynamic loading.

IS:1030 Carbon steel casting for General Engineering Purposes

IS:1120 Coach Screws

IS:1148(1982) Hot Rolled Rivet Bars (up to 40mm) for Structural Purposes

IS:1367 Technical Supply Conditions for Threaded Fasteners

IS:1161 Steel tubes for structural purposes.

IS:1182 Recommended practice for radiographic examination of fusion welded butt joints in steel plates.

IS:1852 Rolling & Cutting Tolerances for Hot-Rolled Steel Product.

IS:1915 Code of Practice for Steel Bridges

IS 1977 Structural Steel (Ordinary Quality)

IS: 2016 Plain Washers

IS:2062 Structural steel {Fusion welding quality)

IS:2595 Code of Practice for Radio Graphic Testing

IS:3063 Single Coil Rectangular Section Sprint Washers for Nuts, Bolts and Screws

IS:3443 Crane Rail Sections

IS:3600 Methods of Testing Fusion Welding Joints. {Part 1 to Part 9)

IS:3757 Specification for high tensile friction grip bolts.

IS:5624 Specification for foundation bolts.

IS:3613 Acceptance Tests for Wire Flux Combinations for Submerged Arc Welding

IS:3658 Code of Practice for Liquid Penetrant Flow, Detection.

IS:3757 High Strength Structural Bolts.

IS:4000 High Strength Bolts in Steel Structures-Code of Practice

IS:4353 Recommendations for Submerged Arc Welding of Mild St eel and Low Alloy Steel

IS:4923 Hollow steel sections for structural use.

IS:4943 Assessment of Butt and Fillet Fusion Welds in Steel Sheet, Plate and Pipe.

IS:5334 Code of Practice for Magnetic Particle Flow Detection of Welds

IS:5369 General Requirements for Plain Washers and Lock Washers

IS:5372 Taper Washers for Channels

IS:5374 Taper Washers for I Beams.

IS 6227 Code of practice for use of metal arc welding in tubular structure.

IS:6623 Specification for High Strength Structural nuts.

IS:6649 Specifications for hardening and tempering washers for high strength structural nuts

IS:6755 Double Coil Helical Spring Washers

IS:7215 Tolerances for Fabrication of Steel Structure

IS:7318 Approval Tests for Welders When Welding Procedure Approval is not required -fusion Welding of Steel

IS:8500 Structural Steel Micro alloyed (Medium and high strength qualities)

IS:8910 General requirements of supply of weldable structural steel

IS:9595 Recommendations for metal arc welding of carbon & carbon Manganese steels.

15. Sand

IS:383 Coarse and fine aggregates from natural sources for concrete.

16. Scaffolding

IS:2750 Specification for steel scaffoldings

IS:3696 (Part 1) Safety Code of scaffolds and ladders

IS:3696 (Part 2) Scaffolds Safety Code of scaffolds and ladders

IS:4014 (Part 1) Code of practice for steel tubular scaffolding: Definition and materials

IS:4014 (Part 2) Code of practice for steel tubular scaffolding: Safety regulations for scaffolding

IRC:87 Guidelines for the design and erection of false work for road bridges

17. Sealants

IS:10959 Glossary of terms for sealants for building purposes

IS:11433 (Part 1) One-part grade polysulphide base joint sealant: General requirements

IS:11433 (Part 2) One-part grade polysulphide base joint sealant: Methods of test

IS:13055 Methods of sampling and test for anaerobic adhesives and sealants

BS:5889 Specification for one-part gun grade silicone-based sealants

18. Wood

IS:303 Plywood for General Purposes

IS:848 Synthetic resin adhesives for plywood (phenolic and amino plastic)

IS:1141 Seasoning of Timber - Code of Practice

IS:1328 Veneered decorative plywood

IS:1659 Block Boards

IS:2046 Decorative thermosetting synthetic resin bonded laminated sheets

IS:2202 (Part 1) Wooden flush door shutters (solid core type): Plywood face panels

IS:2202 (Part 2) Wooden flush door shutters (solid core (type) : Particle face panels and hardboard face panels

19. Bearing

IRC:83Part-II Standard specifications and code of practice for road bridges Elastomeric Bearings

IRC:83 Part -Ill Standard specifications and code of practice for road bridges Pot Bearings

20. Piling

IS : 2911(All Codes) Code of practice for design and construction of pile foundations.

IRC:78 Standard specifications and code of practice for road bridges Foundation and Substructure

21. Metal

IS:276 Austenitic manganese steel castings

IS:733 Wrought aluminium and aluminum alloy bars, rods and sections for general engineering purpose.

IS:737 Specifications for wrought aluminium and aluminium alloy sheet and strip for general engineering purpose.

IS:3614 (Part 1) Specification for fi re check doors: Plate metal covered and rolling type

IS:3614 (Part 2) Specification for metallic and non-metallic fire check doors: Resistance test and performance criteria

IS:7196 Hold Fasts

ASME Sect 2 Part A Ferrous Material Specifications

ASTM B 221 Specification for aluminium-alloy extruded bars, rods, wires, shapes, and tubes

BS:4873 Specification for Aluminium alloy windows 

BS:7352 Specification for strength and durability performance of metal hinges for side hanging applications and dimensional requirements for template drilled hinges

BS EN:10143 Specification for continuously hot-dip metal coated steel sheet and strip. Tolerances on dimensions and shape

22. Glazing

B5:952 (Part 1) Glass for glazing: classification

B5:952 (Part 2) Glass for glazing: Terminology for work on glass

BS:4315 (Part 2) Methods of Test for Resistance to Air and water penetration: Permeable walling constructions (water penetration)

BS:5368 (Part 1) Method of testing Windows: Air permeability test

BS:5368 (Part 2) Method of testing Windows: Water tightness test under static pressure

BS:5368 (Part 3) Method of testing Windows: Wind resistance tests

BS: 5368 (Part 4) Method of testing Windows: Form of test report

BS:5713 Specification for Hermetically sealed flat double-glazing units

BS:6262 Code of practice for glazing for buildings

BS:6262 (Part 4) Glazing for buildings: Code of practice for safety, Human impact

BS:6375 (Parts 1) Performance of windows: Classification for weather tightness (including guidance on selection and specification)

BS:6375 (Parts 2) Performance of windows: Specification for operation and strength characteristics

DIN:1249 (Part 12) Glass for use in building construct ion; toughened glass; dimensions, working and requirements

JIS: R 3203 Float and Polished Plate Glasses

ASTM E 283 Test method for determining the rate of air leakage through exterior windows, curtain walls, and doors under specified pressure differences across the specimen

ASTM E 330 Test method for structural performance of exterior windows, curtain wall s, and doors by uniform static air pressure difference

ASTM E 331 Test method for water penetration of exterior windows, curtain walls, and doors by uniform static air pressure difference

23. Stone and Facings/ Linings

IS:1121-(Parts 1 to 4) Methods of test for determination of strength properties of natural building stones

IS:1121-(Parts 1 to 4) (Part-1 Compressive strength)

IS:1121-(Parts 1 to 4) (Part-2 Transverse strength)

IS:1121-(Parts 1 to 4) (Part-3 Tensile strength)

IS:1121-(Parts 1 to 4) (Part-4 Shear strength)

IS:1122 Method of test for determination of true specific gravity of natural building stones.

IS:1123 Method of identification of natural building stones

IS:1124 Method of test for determination of water absorption , apparent specific gravity and porosity of natural building stones

IS:1125 Method of test for determination of weathering of natural building stones

IS:1126 Method of test for determination of durability of natural building stones

IS:1127 Recommendations for dimensions and workmanship of natural building stones for masonry work.

IS: 1128 Specification for limestone (Slabs and Tiles)

IS:1129 Recommendation for dressing of natural building stones

IS:1130 Specification for marble (blocks, slabs and tiles)

IS:1597 (Part 2) Code of practice for construction of stone masonry: Ashlar masonry

IS:1706 Method for determination of resistance to wear by abrasion of natural building stones

IS:1805 Glossary of terms relating to stones, quarrying and dressing

IS:3620 Specification for laterite stone block for masonry

IS: 3622 Specification for Sandstone (slab & tiles)

IS:4101 (Part 1) Code of practice for external facing and veneers: stone facing

IS: 4101 (Part 2) Code of practice for external facing and veneers: Cement concrete facing

IS:4101(Part 3) Code of practice for external facing and veneers: Wall tiling and mosaics

IS:4121 Method of test for determination of water transmission rate by capillary action through natural building stones

IS:4122 Method of test for surface softening of natural building stones by exposure to acidic atmospheres

IS:4348 Method of test for determination of permeability of natural building stones.

IS:5218 Method of test for toughness of natural building stones IS:8381 Recommended practice for quarrying stones for construction purposes

IS:14223 (Part 1) Polished building stones: Granite

BS:8298 Code of practice for design and installation of natural stone cladding and lining

IS 15447: Tile and stone adhesive.

EN 12004 : Tile and stone adhesive.

Thanks to all who shared knowledge, specially Rtd CPWD officers / engineers.

Viewers are welcome to add via comment...

Which grade of concrete - where to be used?

The below table explains about the type of concrete, grade of concrete, mix ratio of concrete, where to use which grade of concrete:

For any doubts, comment below...

Problem with mesh backed glass mosaic tiles installation

Glass tile is increasingly favoured by designers and homeowners seeking a clean, vibrant aesthetic. This trend has led to a rise in glass tile installations in areas traditionally dominated by ceramic tiles. To address this shift, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), in collaboration with glass tile manufacturers, has established a new standard for glass tile, known as ANSI A137.2.

Now a days not only glass, you can find you will find mosaics made out of glass, marble, travertine, pebbles, metals, ceramic, porcelain, and blended glass & stone too in the market.

The ANSI A137.2 standard classifies glass tile into three types: cast glass tile, fused glass tile, and low-temperature-coated glass tile. It designates large format glass tile as any tile larger than 3" x 3". The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) advises using a high-performance thin-set mortar that meets ANSI A118.4 standards and has a bond strength greater than 400 psi, as per section 5.2.4. Due to the smooth surface of glass tile, it is crucial to use a premium, high-performance thin-set mortar with a higher polymer content to enhance bonding. CUSTOM's Glass Tile Premium Thin-Set Mortar meets this criterion, featuring a high polymer content and a specially selected polymer compound for superior bond strength to glass surfaces.

While installation failures with glass tile installations are uncommon, below are some of the points with some guidelines, I wish to provide:

1. When exposed to sunlight or other heat sources, glass mosaic tile systems experience different rates of thermal expansion and durability compared to cement-based thin-set mortar. Although the polymer in flexible thin-set mortar can absorb some of this movement, the disparity is more significant with glass mosaic tiles, which can result in bond failure.

  

2. Mosaic tiles are typically attached to fibreglass mesh sheets, which keep the tiles aligned and make installation easier than placing each tile individually. Despite this, careful handling of mosaic tile sheets is necessary, as they can be tricky to work with at times. 

  

Adhesives commonly used to bond reinforcing mesh to tiles or stone include  PVA (Poly Vinyl Acetate), polyester resin, epoxy, or urethane-based coatings. Although PVA is usually resistant to water solubility, the absence of standardized guidelines can result in some adhesives loosening or dissolving when exposed to mortars or water. These materials soften and weaken when exposed to constant moisture, posing a significant problem for ponds and swimming pools. In these settings, while the tile adhesive stays bonded to the mesh, the mesh can detach from the tile, causing itface-mounted to fall off. 

Polyester resin-backed tiles can sometimes be effectively bonded using high-performance, polymer-modified cement mortars. However, due to variations in resin composition, not all types of resin backings will consistently perform well.

3. The recommendation is that mesh glue should not cover more than 10-15% maximum of the tile face-mounted back face, if not, failure will happen.

4. Since glass tiles are typically sold and installed as pre-mounted assemblies, whether it is face-mounted or back-mounted is a crucial consideration. According to ANSI A137.2 recommendations, glass tiles intended for submerged applications should be face-mounted. This helps prevent issues arising from inadequate coverage or failures in backing materials. 

5. Use paper faced glass mosaic tiles 

 

6. Use thin plastic face-mounted mosaic tile sheets

7. You can also go with Dot-mounted glass mosaics tile sheet:

8. Use tiles fixed with epoxy or PU or any glue that is non-water soluble in water/chlorinated water with less than 10% coverage at the back of the tile sheet.

9. You need to remember the below points of coverage at different are of application. AS39581.1-2007 Ceramic Tiles, Part 1: Guide to the Installation of Ceramic Tiles, was introduced and became effective. This standard specifies minimum adhesive bed coverage requirements for tile faces and substrates in various applications under Clause 5.6.4.2:

Internal residential walls: 65%

Residential floors: 80%

Commercial and industrial walls: 80%

Commercial and industrial floors: 90%

Wet areas: 90%

Swimming pools: 90%

External walls: 90%

Exterior floors, decks, and roofs: 90%

10. Conduct a test for 48-hour water immersion, with the selected glass mosaic tiles at site level, if the tiles are getting de-bonded, or mesh glue is not dissolving in water, you can use the tile sheet or else, rejection has to be made.

11. Grouting glass tiles requires meticulous attention to detail because their thinness can cause the adhesive to fill the joint gaps. The installation process is slow and labour-intensive, especially for intricate designs that demand additional time and skill. Any imperfections will be visible due to the transparency of the tiles. For best results, use cement polymer-based grout mixed with latex or opt for epoxy grout.

12. Use suitable hydrostatic-resistant waterproofing membranes for the structure. 

13. For sub/underground structures, always go with negative waterproofing treatment. As all waterproofing treatments, are not able to resist negative hydrostatic pressure.

14. every day is a new day, technology will keep on changing, always, consult the Technical support Manager for suitable adhesives to be used in your project.

All details are based on my personal experience and information gathered from various sources including Google and other websites.

You are welcome to add your knowledge in the below comment.