Notification No.

70
Amendment No.7/IRC:112-2020/June, 2024 (Effective from 1st November, 2024)
TO
IRC:112-2020 Code of Practice for Concrete Road Bridges (First Revision)
S. No. Clause No. For Read
1 4.1 Add at the end of clause 4.1:
Page 14 The design rules for plain & lightly reinforced concrete
are given in Annexure A-10
2 7.3(5) (5) Strut and tie model may be used in the analysis of discontinuity (5) Strut and tie model may be used in the analysis of
Page 43 regions. Struts representing compressive stress field and ties provided by discontinuity regions. Struts representing compressive
reinforcement, meet at connecting nodes forming statically stable truss stress field and ties provided by reinforcement, meet
system. The reinforcement carries full design force of the tie over its full at connecting nodes forming statically stable truss
length and hence is required to be adequately anchored beyond the node. system. The reinforcement carries full design force

NOTIFICATION
Adoption of model developed on the basis of stress trajectories in compression of the tie over its full length and hence is required to
and tensile regions, established from linear elastic analysis or following be adequately anchored beyond the node. Adoption
direct and simple load path method, should be preferred as it will help in of model developed on the basis of stress trajectories
achieving crack control at serviceability conditions. Specialist literature may in compression and tensile regions, established from
be referred for details. linear elastic analysis or following direct and simple
load path method, should be preferred as it will help
in achieving crack control at serviceability conditions.
INDIAN HIGHWAYS NOVEMBER 2024 53

Annexure A-9 to be referred for details.

3 7.1.7 (4) & (5) (4) In checking compressive stresses in the struts, consideration should be Point (4) & (5) have been deleted and (6) is
Page 42 given to a possible reduction in strength due to transverse tensile stresses or renumbered as (4)
cracking or the influence of shear. The average design compressive stress in
the struts may be taken as v.fcd. In the absence of other data, v may be taken
as 0.6, including an allowance for sustained loading. Higher values for v (even
v >1) may be justified based on a triaxial state of compressive stress, provided
it can be shown that the complementary transverse compression can be realised
in practice.

(5) The design stress in the ties is limited to fyd

(6) Detailing should comply with Sections 15 & 16.
4 Annexure A-9 New Annexure A-9: Strut and Tie Models is added.
5 Annexure New Annexure A-10: Plain and Lightly Reinforced
A-10 Concrete Structures is added.
 NOTIFICATION

Annexure A-9 ν = 1 - fck /310 .......................................................Eq(A9-3)

Strut and Tie Models For struts between directly loaded areas, such as corbels
A9.1 Analysis with strut and tie models or short deep beams, alternative calculation methods are
given in 10 2.2 and 10.2.3
Strut and tie models may be used for members where a
linear distribution within the cross section is assumed, e.g. A9.3 Ties
plane strain (B-region) and also where a non- linear strain The design strength of transverse ties and reinforcement
distribution exists (e.g. supports, near concentrated loads should be limited in accordance with 6.2 and 6.3.
or plain stress) i.e. D-region. Reinforcement should be adequately anchored in the nodes.
Strut-and-tie models consist of struts, representing Reinforcement required to resist the forces at the
compressive stress fields, and of ties, representing the concentrated nodes may be smeared over a length (see
reinforcement, and of the connecting nodes. The forces in Fig. A9-3 a) and b). When the reinforcement in the node
the elements of a strut and tie model should be determined area extends over a considerable length of an element, the
by maintaining the equilibrium with the applied loads in reinforcement should be distributed over the length where
the ultimate limit state. The elements of strut and tie models the compression trajectories are curved (ties and struts).
should be dimensioned according to the rules given below. The tensile force T may be obtained by:

The ties of a strut and tie model should coincide in position

and direction with the corresponding reinforcement.

Possible means for developing suitable strut and tie models

include the adoption of stress trajectories and distributions
from linear-elastic theory or the load path method.

A9.2 Struts

Fig. A9-1 Design strength of concrete struts without

transverse tension

σ = fcd......................................................Eq(A9-1)
Rd,max

It may be appropriate to assume a higher design strength

Fig.A9-3 Parameters for the determination of
in regions where multi- axial compression exists. For fcd
transverse tensile forces in a compression field with
refer clause 6.4.2.8 (1).
smeared reinforcement
The design strength for concrete struts should be reduced
A9.4 Nodes
in cracked compression zones and, unless a more rigorous
approach is used, may be calculated from Equation (A9-2) 1) The rules for nodes also apply to regions where
(see Fig. A9-2). concentrated forces are transferred in a member and
which are not designed by the strut and tie method.
2) The forces acting at nodes shall be in equilibrium.
Fig. A9-2 Design strength of concrete struts with Transverse tensile forces perpendicular to an
transverse tension in-plane node shall be considered.
σRd,max = 0.6νfcd .................................................................................... Eq(A9-2) 3) The dimensioning and detailing of concentrated

54 INDIAN HIGHWAYS NOVEMBER 2024

 NOTIFICATION

nodes are critical in determining their load- bearing

resistance. Concentrated nodes may develop,
e.g. where point loads are applied, at supports, in
anchorage zones with concentration of reinforcement
or prestressing tendons, at bends in reinforcing bars,
and at connections and corners of members.
4) The design values for the compressive stresses
within nodes may be determined by:
a) in compression nodes where no ties are anchored
at the node (see Fig. A9-4)
σ = k ν’f
Rd,max 1 cd
Fig. A9-6 Compression tension node with
where k1 = 1.0 and σ Rd,max is the maximum stress which can
reinforcement provided in two directions
be applied at the edges of the node.
σ = k ν ’fcd
Rd,max 3

where k3 = 0.75

v) Under the conditions listed below, the design

compressive stress values given in A9-4 (iv) may
be increased by up to10% where at least one of the
following applies:
• triaxial compression is assured,
• all angles between struts and ties are ≥ 55°,
• the stresses applied at supports or at point loads are
uniform, and the node is confined by stirrups,
Fig. A9-4 Compression node without ties • the reinforcement is arranged in multiple layers,
• the node is reliably confined by means of bearing
b) in compression tension nodes with anchored ties arrangement or friction.
provided in one direction (see Fig. A9-5),
vi) Triaxially compressed nodes may be
σ = k ν’ f
Rd,max 2 cd checked according to Expression A2-29 &
where k2 = 0.85 and σ Rd,max
is the maximum of A2-30 (Annexure A2) with an upper limit
σRd,1 and σ Rd,2 σRd,max ≤ k4 ν ’fcd if for all three directions of the
struts the distribution of load is known. k4 = 3.0

vii) The anchorage of the reinforcement in compression-

tension nodes starts at the beginning of the node,
e.g. in case of a support anchorage starting at its
inner face (see Fig. A9-5). The anchorage length
should extend over the entire node length. In
certain cases, the reinforcement may also be
anchored behind the node. For anchorage and
bending of reinforcement, see 15.2.4 to 15.2.6.
Fig. A9-5 Compression tension node with
viii) In-plane compression nodes at the junction of three
reinforcement provided in one direction
struts may be verified in accordance with Fig.A9-
c) in compression tension nodes with anchored ties 4. The maximum average principal node stresses
provided in more than one direction (see Fig. A9-6), (σc0, σc1, σc2, σc3) should be checked in accordance

INDIAN HIGHWAYS NOVEMBER 2024 55

 NOTIFICATION

with iv- a). Normally the following may be to analysis, e.g. methods without an explicit check of
assumed: Fcd,1/a1 = Fcd,2/a2 = Fcd,3/a3 resulting in the deformation capacity, shall not be used unless their
σ =σ =σ =σ . application can be justified.
cd,1 cd,2 cd,3 cd,0

ix) Nodes at reinforcement bends may be analysed in A10-4 Ultimate Limit States
accordance with Fig. A9-6. The average stresses A10-4.1 Design resistance to bending and axial force
in the struts should be checked in accordance
with (v). The diameter of the mandrel should be (1) In the case of walls, where the provisions of adequate
checked in accordance with 15.2.2. construction details and curing are specified in the
drawings, the imposed deformations due to temperature
ANNEXURE A-10 or shrinkage may be ignored.

PLAIN AND LIGHTLY REINFORCED (2) The stress-strain relations for plain concrete should
CONCRETE STRUCTURES be taken from clause 6.4.2.8 of this Code.

A10-1 General (3) The axial resistance, NRd of a rectangular cross-

section with a uniaxial eccentricity, e, in the direction of
This section provides additional rules for plain concrete ℎw, may be taken as:
(PCC) structures/members, where the reinforcement
provided is less than the minimum required for
reinforced concrete as per the code. Some examples of
typical members are caissons, piers, abutments, retaining where:
structures, appurtenances such as kerbs etc. 𝜂𝜂𝜂𝜂𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 is the design effective compressive strength
specified in clause A 2.9 (2) of Appendix A 2.
Members using plain concrete may include the provision
of steel reinforcement needed to satisfy serviceability 𝑏𝑏 is the overall width of the cross-section see Fig. A10-1
and/or durability requirements. This reinforcement may
be considered for the verification of ultimate limit states ℎ𝑤𝑤 is the overall depth of the cross-section
as well as for the checks of the serviceability limit states. 𝑒𝑒 is the eccentricity of NEd in the direction ℎ𝑤𝑤 and shall
be less than ℎw/2.
A10-2 Materials
Note: Where other simplified methods are used, they
Concrete of suitable grade and un-tensioned should not be less conservative than a rigorous method
reinforcement as specified in the Code only shall be used. using a stress-strain relationship given in clause 6.4.2.8
Design properties of the materials shall be the same of the Code.
as specified in the Code, except those specified in this
Annexure.
A10-2.1 Concrete: Additional design assumptions
The value for α as in clause 6.4.2.8 should be taken as
0.53 for PCC.
When tensile stresses are considered for the design
resistance of PCC members, the stress strain diagram
(clause 6.4.2.8) may be extended up to the tensile design
strength using following equation or a linear relationship.
Fig. A10-1 Notation for PCC walls

A10-3 Structural analysis A10-4.2 Local failure

Since plain concrete members have limited ductility, Unless measures to avoid local tensile failure of the
linear analysis with redistribution or a plastic approach cross-section have been taken, the maximum eccentricity

56 INDIAN HIGHWAYS NOVEMBER 2024

 NOTIFICATION

of the axial force NEd in a cross-section shall be limited A10-4.5 Ultimate Limit States induced by structural
to avoid large cracks, e.g. provision of local bursting deformation (buckling)
reinforcement at location where large concentrated loads
are applied. A10-4.5.1 Slenderness of columns and walls
The slenderness of a column or wall, 𝜆𝜆 is given by
A10-4.3 Shear
𝜆𝜆 = 𝑙𝑙0/𝑖𝑖 Eq. (A10-8)
1) In plain concrete members account may be taken of
where:
the concrete tensile strength in the ultimate limit state for
shear, provided that either by calculations or by experience 𝑖𝑖 is the minimum radius of gyration
brittle failure can be excluded and adequate resistance can be 𝑙𝑙0 is the effective length of the member which can be
ensured. assumed to be:
2) For a section subject to a shear force VEd and a normal 𝑙𝑙0 = 𝛽𝛽 ⋅ 𝑙𝑙𝑤𝑤 Eq. (A10-9)
force NEd acting over a compressive area Acc, the absolute
Where:
value of the components of design stress should be taken
as: 𝑙𝑙𝑤𝑤 clear height of the member
𝛽𝛽 coefficient which depends on the support conditions:
Eq. (A10-3) for columns other than cantilever columns
𝛽𝛽 = 1 should in general be assumed; for cantilever
Eq. (A10-4) columns or walls both 𝛽𝛽 = 2;
for walls other than cantilever wall 𝛽𝛽 -values are
given in Table A10.1

Table A10.1: Values of β for different edge

conditions
Eq. (A10-5)

Eq. (A10-6)

Eq. (A10-7)

where:

𝑓𝑓 is the concrete design strength in shear and

𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
compression

𝑓𝑓 is the concrete design strength in compression

𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

𝑓𝑓 is concrete design strength in tension

𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

3) A concrete member may be considered to be uncracked

in the ultimate limit state if either it remains completely
under compression or if the absolute value of the principal
concrete tensile stress σ does not exceed 𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
ct1

A10-4.4 Torsion A – Restrained edge, B - Free edge, C - Transverse

wall / bracing
In case section is subjected to torsional actions, the
sections shall be ensured to be fully in compression to Note: The information in Table A10.1 assumes that the
resist torsional moments. wall has no openings with a height exceeding 1/3 of the

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 NOTIFICATION

wall height 𝑙𝑙𝑤𝑤 or with an area exceeding 1/10 of the wall Eq. (A10-11)
area. In walls laterally restrained along 3 or 4 sides with
openings exceeding these limits, the parts between the where:
openings should be considered as laterally restrained 𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 = 𝑒𝑒𝑜𝑜 + 𝑒𝑒𝑖𝑖 Eq. (A10-12)
along 2 sides only and be designed accordingly.
𝑒𝑒𝑜𝑜 is the first order eccentricity including, where
The 𝛽𝛽 values should be increased appropriately if the relevant, the effects of floors (e.g. possible
transverse bearing capacity is affected by chases or clamping moments transmitted to the wall from
recesses. a slab) and horizontal actions
A transverse wall may be considered as a bracing wall if: 𝑒𝑒𝑖𝑖 is the additional eccentricity covering the effects
of geometrical imperfections.
¾ its total depth is not less than 0.5 ℎ𝑤𝑤, where ℎ𝑤𝑤
Other simplified methods may be used provided that they
is the overall depth of the braced wall;
are conservative than a rigorous method.
¾ it has the same height 𝑙𝑙𝑤𝑤 as the braced wall
A10-5 Serviceability Limit States
under consideration;
Stresses should be checked where structural restraint is
¾ its length 𝑙𝑙ℎ𝑡𝑡 is at least equal to 𝑙𝑙𝑤𝑤 / 5, where 𝑙𝑙𝑤𝑤
expected to occur.
denotes the clear height of the braced wall;
The following measures should be considered to ensure
¾ within the length 𝑙𝑙ℎ𝑡𝑡 the transverse wall has no adequate serviceability:
openings.
a) regarding crack formation
In the case of a wall connected along the top and - provision of subsidiary structural reinforcement
bottom in flexurally rigid manner by insitu concrete and (surface reinforcement, ties, links, etc. where
reinforcement, so that the edge moments can be fully necessary);
resisted, the values for β given in Table A10.1 may be - provision of joints at appropriate locations;
factored by 0.85. - choice of concrete technology (e.g. appropriate
concrete composition, curing);
The slenderness of walls cast in-situ in plain concrete λ - choice of appropriate method of construction.
should generally not exceed 86 (i.e. 𝑙𝑙0/ℎ𝑤𝑤 = 25). b) regarding limitation of deformations
A10-4.5.2 Simplified design method for walls and - a minimum section size shall be as in A10-6.1.
columns - limitation of slenderness in the case of
compression members.
In absence of a more rigorous approach, the design
resistance in terms of axial force for a slender wall or If reinforcement is provided in plain concrete members
column in plain concrete may be calculated as follows: for any reason whatsoever, the same shall comply with
requirements for minimum cover.
𝑁𝑁 = 𝑓𝑓 × 𝑏𝑏 × ℎ × ∅ (A10-10)
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑤𝑤
A10-6 Detailing of members and particular rules
where A10-6.1 Structural members

𝑁𝑁 is the axial resistance The overall thickness shall not be less than 120 mm.
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅

𝑏𝑏 is the overall width of the cross-section Where chases and recesses are included, checks should
be carried out to assure the adequate strength and stability
ℎ is the overall depth of the cross-section of the member.
𝑤𝑤

∅ Factor taking into account the eccentricity, A10-6.2 Construction joints

including second order effects and normal
effects of creep At construction joint locations a nominal reinforcement
for respective elements shall be provided with adequate
For braced members, the factor Φ may be taken as: anchorage on either side of the joint.

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 NOTIFICATION

A10-6.3 Durability 𝜎𝜎𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 is the design value of the ground pressure

The durability measures shall be same as specified in the 𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 is the design value of the concrete tensile strength
Code elsewhere. (in the same unit as 𝜎𝜎𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔) As a simplification the relation
ℎ𝐹𝐹/ 𝑎𝑎 ≥ 2 may be used.
Whenever reinforcement is provided in member the
appropriate cover corresponding to exposure condition
shall be provided.

A10-6.4 Strip and isolated footings

In the absence of more detailed data, axially loaded strip

and isolated footings may be designed and constructed
as plain concrete provided that:

Eq. (A10-13)

where:

ℎ𝐹𝐹 is the foundation depth

𝑎𝑎 is the projection from the column face
(see Fig.A10.2) Fig. A10.2 Unreinforced isolated footings

NOTIFICATION NO. 71

Amendment No. 2/IRC:SP:59-2019/June, 2024 (Effective from 1st November, 2024)

To
IRC:SP:59-2019 “Guidelines for Use of Geosynthetics in Road Pavements and Associated Works”
(First Revision)
S. Clause No. For Read
No. Page No.
1 Clause No. ……..(b) directional behaviour (uniaxial, biaxial, ……..(b) directional behavior (Geogrid with
1.2.3.2 etc.) one axis, with two axes, with three axes, with
Page No. 6 four axes, with several axes, etc.)
2 Clause No. ……..There is a formalized procedure available ……..Installation damage in the field should
2.3.3.1, to assess installation damage as per ISO 10722. be assessed as per methodology given in
Last two ASTM D5818-06 may be referred for exposure Annexure-A. Field samples should be
sentences of and retrieval of sample to evaluate installation exhumed as per the procedure specified in
Para 1 damage of geosynthetics. ASTM D5818.
Page No. 19
3 Clause No. (1) ……..However, it is recommended to ……..MIF/LCR considered in design should
3.1.3, ensure correct MIF for proper optimized design be validated by conducting Cyclic Plate
2nd last and MIF must be verified by appropriate testing Load Test on field trial patch laid along
sentence of for some trial patch before full fledge execution of main carriageway as per methodology given
Para 3 the work. …….. in Annexure-B. If necessary, i.e. only in
Page case of lower observed value of MIF/LCR
No. 34

INDIAN HIGHWAYS NOVEMBER 2024 59