IS : 3316- 1974

( Reaffirmed 1998 )
Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
STRUCTURAL GRANITE

( First Revision )
Second Reprint APRIL 1989

UDC 691,212

l\
,
./’

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANGK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

Gr 2 June 1974
 IS : 3316- 1974

Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
STRUCTURAL GRANITE

( First Revision )
Stones Sectional Committee, BDC 6

Chairman R$JrGSHlfing
SHRI C. B. L. MATIIUR Public Works Department, Government of
Rajarthan, Jaipur
Members
SHBI K. K. A~RAWALA Buildera’ Association of India, Bombay
SHRI K. K. MADHOIC ( Alternate 1
SHRI T. N. BEARQAVA Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Shipping
__ _ &
Transport
CHIEF ARCHITECT Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
LALA G. C. DAS National Test House, Calcutta
SHRI P. R. DAS ( Altsrnute )
D~o~;noraxoxo~ ( RESEARCH ), Public Works Department, Government of Orissa,
AND RESEAR~E Bhubaneshwar
LABORATORY
Crrxxx ENGINEER (B & R) Public Works Department, Government of Kerala,
Trivandrum
DR M. P. DHIR Central Road Rrscarch Institute ( CSIR ),
New Delhi
SHRI R. L. NANDA ( Allernaic)
DIRECTOR ( CSMRS ) -.Central Water & Power Commission, New Delhi
DEPUTY DIRECTOR ( CSMRS ) ( .%/srnatc )
DIREOTOR, MERI, NASIK Building & Commpniration Department,
Maharashtra, Bombay
RESEARCH OFFICER, MERI ( Alfcrnate )
EXECUTIVE ENGINEER ( RESEARCII ) Public Works Department, Government of
Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow
SERI M. K. GUPTA Himalayan Tiles and Marble Pvt Ltd, Bombay
SHRI S. D. PATHAK ( Alternate )
DR IQBAL ALI Engineering Research Laboratory, Government of
Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad
BH~I A. B. LINQAM( Alternate)
( Contirwd on pag# 2 )

@ Copyright 1974
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
This publication is protected under the Indian Copyight Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyr,ight under the aid Act.
 IS :3316 - 1974

( Continucdfiom page 1 )
Members Refmsenting
SUBI D. C. KADICADE Hindustan Construction Co Ltd, Bombay
SHlCI v. B. hSA1 ( /ihrMte )
SHRI T. 12. MICHANDRU Institution of Engineers ( India ), Calcutta
Suni MOHINDERJIT SINGII M/s S~orlco,Delhi
SHRI S. R. NAIR IXrcctorate Grnrral Border Roads, New Delhi
SHllI hE>l SWARUP Department of Geology & Mining, Government
of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow
SHRI A. K. AOARWAI. ( Alternate’)
SJ~RI S. N. RAD~ANATBAN Djrcctorate Gcncral of Mines Safety ( Ministry of
Labour & Rehabilitation ), Dhanbad
SXILI M1 MAIIATO ( Alternate )
Dn A. V. R. KAO National Buildings Organization, New Delhi
DEPUTY DIRIXTOI~ ( MATERIALS ) ( Alternote )
SH~I M. L. SETHI Department of Geology & Mining, Govcrnmcnt
of Rajasthan, Udaipur
SHBI Y. N. cave: ( &ternate )
SHRI B. c. SHAlf Enginerring Research Institute, Baroda
Dn B. N. SINHA Geological Survey of India, Calcutta
SUPIRINTENDINO E N R I N EE R, Public Works Department, Government of
CAPITAL PROJECT .(c) CIRCLE Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal
EXE~I_JTIV~:ENGINEER ( DESIUNS ) ( Alternntc )
SITPERINTENDINO EN u I N E ER Public Works Dcpartmcnt, Government of Tamil
( DESIGN & MARINE WORKS ) Nadu, Madras
DEI~UTY CHIEF ENGINEER ( I & D ) ( Alternote )
SUPERINTENDINO EN a I N E E R Public Works Department, Government of
(Dlssm~ & PLANNING) Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad
SITP*:I(INTF:NDINO E ho I N E E R Public Works Department, Government of
( DESI<:NS ) Karnataka, Bangalore
SIIPERINTENDINQ EN a IN EE R Public Works Drpartmcnt, Government of West
(PLANNING: CIRCIX ) Bengal, Calcutta
S u P E R I N T 15N D I N (1 ENGINEER Public Works Department, Govcrmnrnt of Assam,
( R & B ), GAUIIATI CIRCLE Gauhati
SHBI M. Y. YOGI Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch ( Ministry of Dcfcncc )
SH~I K. N. SIJBIIA RAO ( Alternate)
SHRI D: AJITHA SInlEA, Director dencral, IS1 ( Z%-ojicio Member )
Director ( Civ Engg )

SIIRI K. M. h~Al~IIUl$
Deputy Director (Civ Engg), IS1

2
 IS : 3316 - 1974

Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
STRUCTURAL GRANITE

( First Revision )

0. F 0 R E W O-R D
0~1 This Indian Standard ( First Revision) was ado$ed by the Indian
Standards Institution on 15 March 1974. after the draft finalized by the
Stones Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering
Division Council.
0.2 Granite is an important structural and ornamental stone and because of
its high compressive strength and durability, is extensively used for massive
structural works like bridge piers, sea and river walls, dams and monumental
buildings, where excessive wear and abrasion is likely to occur. Fine graincd
variety of granite that takes and preserves high polish ‘and is susceptible of
being carved is employed for ornamental and monumer&l works and also for
inscription purposes. Granite is found in several parts of India with slight
variations in the physical properties of the stone depending upon the grain
size and the minerals that go into its formation. This standard has, therefore,
been formulated with a view to specifying suitable grades of granite stone and
providing necessary guidance in the selection of proper grade of granite for a
given specific job.
0.3 Granite is available in different colours mostly in grey, mottled grey, red,
pink, dark blue, white or green depending upon the colour of the component
minerals. The designer shall, thcreforc, specify the colour desired and the
permissible natural variations in rolour and texture in detail or by naming
the granite having the required rharactcristics. Granite containing injurious
mincraIs like pyrites nud marcasite which upon exposure. rust rapidly and
cause ob_jectionable strain on the stone shall be excluded. This st+ndard was
first pubhshcd in 1965 which covered sampling and grading aspects only. In
this revision requirements for strength, dimension3 marking, etc, have been
included.

0.4 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular reauirement of this

standard is complied with, the final value observed or calculated, expressing
the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with

3
 IS t 3316 - la74

IS : 2-1960*. The number of significant places retained in the rounded off

value should be the same as that,of the specified value in this standard,

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard covers selection, grading and strength requirements of
structural granite for the various constructional UXS.

2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
2.1 Granite shall be free from flaws, injurious veins, cavities and similar
imperfections that would impair its structural integrity and would adversely
affect its strength and appearance.

3. STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS
3.1 The compressive strength when tested according to IS : 1121-1974t shall
be not less than 1 000 kg/cm2.
3.2 The specific gravity when tested according to IS : 1122-1974$ shall not
be less than 2’6.
3.3 The water absorption when tested according to IS : 1124-19749 shall not
be more than 0’50 percent.

4. DIMENSIONS
4.1 Slabs
4.1.1 The slabs shall be rectangular or square and of specified dimensions.
The tolerance in length and breadth shall be f2 mm and thickness f 1 mm.
The bottom.face may be rough but the top surface shall be fine dressed and
joint faces shall be dressed back square with the top surface for at least
50 mm, without hollowness or spalling off.
4.2 Blocks for Masonry - The dimensions of the blocks shall
specilied. The tolcrancc shall be allowed f5 mm for facing blocks. % z
edges of the blocks shall be dressed according to IS : 1129-197211.

*Rules l’or rounding off numerical values ( revised ).

tMethod of trst for determination of compressive, transverse shear strengths of
natural building stonrs (Jirst revision).
$Mcthod of test for determination of true specific gravity of nhtural building stones
(first revision ) .
$Method of test for determination of water absorption and apparent specific gravity
of natural building stones (jrs~ revision).
/IRccommcndarions for dressing of stones (jirst revision ).

4
 IS : 3316 - I.974

5. MARKING
5.1 Each type of blocks and slabs may be. marked in a suitable manner with
the manufacturer’s identifiaation mark or initials.
5.1.1 Each type of blocks and slabs may also be marked with the ISI
Certification Mark.
NOTE - The use of the IS1 Certification Mark is governed by the provisions of the
Indian Standards Institution (Certification Marks 1 Act and the Rules and Regu-
lations made thereunder. The IS1 mark on products covered by an Indian Standard
conveys the assurance that they have been produced to comply with the require-
ments of that standard under a well-defined system of inspection, testing and quality
control which is devised and supervised by IS1 and operated by the producer. IS1
marked products are also continuously checked by IS1 for conformity to that
standard as a further safeguard. Details of conditions under which a licence for the
use of the IS1 Certification Mark may be granted to manufacturers or processors, may
be obtained from the Indian Standards Institution.

6. SAMPLING
6.1 Lot - In any consignment all the blocks/slabs of the same quarry shall
be grouped together to constitute a lot.
6.1.1 Samples shall be selected and tested separately for each lot for
determining its conformity or otherwise to the requirements of the
specification.
6.2 The number of blocks/slabs to be selected for the sample shall depend
upon the size of the lot and shall be in accordance with Table 1.

TABLE I SAMPLE SIZE AND CRITERIA FOR CONFORMITY

NUMBER OF BLOCKS/ NUMBER OF BLOCKS/ PERMISSIBLE SUB-SAMPLE

SLAnS IN THE LOT SLABS TO BE SELECTED NIJWER OF SIZE IN
IN SAMPLE DEFECTIVES NUMBEB
(1) (21 (3)’ (41
up to 100 5 0 3
101 to 300 a 0 3
301 to 500 13 0 6
501 to 1 000 20 1 G

6.2.1 The blocks/slabs in the sample shall be selected at random and in

order to ensure the randomness of selection, random number tables may be
used ( see IS : 4905-1968* ) .
6.3 All the blocks/slabs selected in accordance with co1 2 of Table 1 shall be
examined for general requirements and dimensions ( see 2 and 4 ). Any
*M&hods for random sampling.

5
 -

ISI3316-1!874

block/slab failing in any one or more of the above requirements shah be

considered as defective. A lot shall be considered as conforming to those
requirements if the number of defective blocks/slabs obtained is not more
than the permissible number of defectives given in co1 3 of Table 1.
6.4 The lot having been found satisfactory with respect to dimensions, and
general requirements shall be tested for physical properties. For this purpose
a sub-sample of size given in co1 4 of Table 1 shall be selected at random.
These blocks/slabs in the sub-sample shall be first tested for compression
strength, the same samples after completion shall be utilized for determining
water absorption, and specific gravity ( see 3 ). A lot shall be considered
having been satisfied the requirements of the physical properties if none of
the blocks/slabs tested for these rcquircments fails in any of these tests.

6
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

Headquarters :
Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. NEW DELHI 110002
Telephones : 3 31 01 31.3 31 13 75 Telegrams : Manaksanstha
( Common to all Offices )
Regional Offices : Telephone
*Western ; Manakalaya, E9 MIDC, Marol, Andheri ( East ), 6 32 92 95
BOMBAY 400093
tEastern : l/14 C. I. T. Scheme VII M, V. I. P. Road, 36 24 99
Maniktola, CALCUTTA 700054
Northern : SC0 445446. Sector 35-C
CHANDIGARH 160036
Southern : C. I. T. Campus, MADRAS 608113
21843
3 1641
41 24 42
C
1 41 25 19
141 29 16
Branch Offices :
Pushpak.’ Nurmohamed Shaikh Marg, Khanpur, 2 63 48
4HMADABAD 380001 2 63 49
‘F’ Block, Unity Bldg, Narasimharaja Square, 22 48 05
BANGALORE 560002
Gangotri Complex, 5th Floor, Bhadbhada Road, f. T. Nagar, 6 27 16 ’
BHOPAL 462003
Plot No. 82183, Lewis Road, BHUBANESHWAR 751002 5 36 27
53/55thWard No. 29. R. G. Barua
Byelane. GUWAHATI 781003Road, -

5-8-56C L N. Gupta Marg. (Nampally Station Road), 22 10 83

HYDERABAD 500001
R14 Yudhister Marg, C Scheme, JAIPUR 302005

117/418B Sarvodaya Nagar. KANPUR 208005

Patliputra Industrial Estate. PATNA 800013 6 23 05

Hantex Bldg ( 2nd Floor ), Rly Station Road, 52 27
TRIVANDRUM 695001
lnspecfion Office ( With Sale Point ):
Institution of Engineers ( India) Building, 1332 Shivaji Nagar, 5 24 35
PUNE 410005

*Sales Office ia Bombay is ~1 Novelty Chambers, Grant Road, 89 66 28

Bombay 400007
tSales Office in Calcutta ir at 6 Chowringhre Approach. P. 0. Princep 27 68 00
Street. Calcutta 700072

Reprography Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India