C.P.W.

Specifications Of
Plaster Work
What is Plaster?
Plaster, is basically a cementitious material or a combination of materials and aggregates,
which, when mixed with a suitable amount of water (or in some cases, other liquid),
forms a plastic mass which, when applied to a surface, adheres to it and subsequently sets
or hardens, preserving in a rigid state the form or texture imposed during the period of
plasticity.

History Of Plaster
Since time immemorial, man has been using plaster and other cementitious materials.
Cliff dwellings, The Pyramids of Egypt, and structures in Central and South America
yield evidences of plaster work done about 3004 – 4000 years ago. Similarly, since early
Greek architecture we find the use of lime stucco of an exquisite composition, often no
thicker than an eggshell. Some of it has endured weathering better than the stone on
which it was applied.

Why is Plaster Used?

Plaster is used to protect the actual structure of the building i.e. the masonry or the RCC
units, from exposure to changes in weather. It is used a weatherproofing sealant, to
protect against wind, rain and sun.

It is used as a sanitary coating, to fill any gaps in the wall, so as to keep vermin and
insects out of the structure.

Plaster is used as a leveling coat, to make walls and ceilings smooth either for their own
aesthetic appeal or a base for application of paint and polishes.

It is also a layer for preliminary defense against fire and plays and important role in
fireproofing a building.
Components of Plaster
All plaster ideally comprises of 3 materials

a) Binder: The substance, which basically holds together the layer or the coat

E.g. Lime (is the oldest used binder), Cement and Gypsum

b) Aggregate: This comprises of the actual bulk of material in the layer or the coat

E.g. Various types of sand. The size of grains varies as per requirements and availability

c) Water

Specifications of Cement
As per C.P.W.D. specifications only one of the following types of cements shall be used:

a) 33 Grade ordinary Portland cement conforming to IS: 269-1989

b) 43 Grade ordinary Portland cement conforming to IS: 8112-1989

c) 53 Grade ordinary Portland cement conforming to IS: 2269-1987

d) Portland Pozzolana cement conforming to IS: 1489-1991

e) Portland slag cement conforming to IS: 455-1989

f) Masonry cement conforming to IS: 3466-1988

g) Rapid hardening Portland cement conforming to IS: 8041-1990

h) Hydrophobic Portland cement conforming to IS: 8043-1991

Specifications of Fine Aggregate
Fine Aggregate is defined as the aggregate that can pass through a I.S. sieve of 4.75 mm.
Fine Aggregate shall consist of natural sand or crushed gravel sand stone or marble dust,
fly ash and Surkhi (crushed brick and cinder) conforming to IS: 2686-1977.

The maximum silt content in sand as determined by the methods prescribed by C.P.W.D.
shall not exceed 8%.

The fine aggregate has been graded into four ZONES on the basis of particle sizes.

Water
The water used for mixing and curing shall be clean and free from injurious quantities of
alkalies, acids, oils, salts, sugar, organic materials, vegetable growth or other substances
that me maybe deleterious to bricks, stone, concrete or steel. Potable water is generally
considered satisfactory for mixing. The Ph value of water shall generally be not less than
6.

LIMITS OF ACIDITY: To neutralize 200ml sample of water, using phenolphthalein as

an indicator, it should not require more than 2ml of 0.1 normal NaOH. The details of the
tests are specified in IS: 3025-1984.

LIMITS OF ALKALINITY: To neutralize 200ml sample of water, using methyl orange

as an indicator, it should not require more than 10ml of 0.1 normal HCL. The details of
the tests are specified in IS: 3025-1986
Percentage Of Solids: The maximum permissible limits of solids when tested in
accordance with IS: 3025 – 1986 shall be as under:

Organic 200 mg / litre

Inorganic 3000 mg / litre
Sulphates 500 mg / litre
Chlorides 2000 mg / litre
Suspended Matter 2000 mg / litre

Water found satisfactory for mixing is also suitable for curing. However, water used for
curing shall not produce any objectionable stain or unsightly deposit on the surface. The
presence of tannic acid or iron compounds in water meant for curing is objectionable.

Sea Water shall not be used for mixing or curing.

Scaffolding:
(The specifications of scaffolding for any kind of plaster remains the same other
than places wherever mentioned or as ordered by the site engineer.)

For all buildings, which do not bear exposed brick work surfaces, single scaffolding is
permitted. In such cases, the inner end of the horizontal scaffolding pole shall rest in a
hole provided only in the header course. Such holes shall however not be allowed in
pillars columns less than one metre in width or immediately near the skew backs of
arches. These holes left for scaffolding should be filled up and made good before
plastering.

12mm Plaster

Preparation of Surface :
The joints should be raked out properly. Dust and loose mortar shall be brushed out.
Efflorescence, if any, shall be removed by brushing and scrapping. The surface shall then
be washed and kept wet before plastering is commenced.

In case of concrete surface if a chemical retarder has been applied to the form work, the
surface shall be roughened by wire brushing and all the resulting dust and loose particles
cleaned off and care shall be taken that none of the retarders is left on the surface.

Ceiling Plaster shall be completed before commencement of wall plaster. Plastering shall
be started from the top and worked down towards the floor. All put-log holes shall be
properly filled in advance of the plastering as the scaffolding is being taken down.

To ensure even thickness and a true surface, plaster about 15cm X 15 cm shall be first
applied, horizontally and vertically applied, at not more than 2 metres intervals over the
entire surface to serve as gauges. The surfaces of these gauges shall be truly in the plane
of the finished plaster surface. The mortar shall then be laid on the wall, between the
gauges with a trowel. The mortar shall be applied in a uniform surface slightly more than
the specified thickness. This shall then be beaten with thin strips of bamboo about one
metre long to ensure thorough filling of joints, and then brought top a true surface, by
working a wooden straight edge reaching across the gauges, with a small upward and side
ways movements at a time.
Finally the surface shall be finished off true with a trowel or a wooden float, as a smooth
or sandy granular texture, as required. Excessive trowelling or overworking the float shall
be avoided. During this process, a solution of lime putty shall be applied on the surface to
make the later workable.

Thickness : The thickness of the plaster specified shall be measured exclusive of the
thickness of key i.e. Grooves or open joints in brick work. The average thickness of
plaster shall not be less than the specified value. The minimum thickness over any portion
of the surface shall not be less than the specified thickness by 3 mm. The average
thickness should be regulated at the time of plastering by keeping suitable thickness of
the gauges.

Curing: Curing shall be started 24 hours after finishing the plaster. The plaster shall be
kept wet for a period of seven days. During this period, it shall be suitably protected from
all damages as the contractor’s expenditure by such means as the Engineer-In-Charge
may approve. The dates on which the plastering is done shall be legibly marked on the
various sections plastered so that curing for the specified period thereafter can be
watched.
15 mm Lime Plaster
15mm lime plaster shall be done on the rough side of single or half brick wall. The
average thickness of plaster shall not be less than 15mm and the minimum thickness of
the plaster at any place shall not be less than 10mm.

18mm Plaster (Two Coats Work)

Application of plaster
The plaster shall be applied in two coats ie. 12 mm under coat and then 6mm finishing
coat and shall have an average final thickness of not less than 18mm.

12 mm Under Coat: This shall be applied in the same manner as specified under 12mm
lime plaster except that

(a) the finishing after the mortar has been brought to a level with the wooden straight
edge, shall be done with a wooden float only
(b) during the process lime putty solution shall not be applied.
The surface shall be further roughened, by furrowing, about 2mm deep with a scratching
tool diagonally, both ways to form a key for the finishing coat. The scratched lines shall
not be more than 15cms apart. The surface shall be kept wet till the finishing coat is
applied.

6mm Finishing Coat: The finishing coat shall be applied a day or two after the under coat
has set.
The latter shall not be allowed to dry out, before the finishing coat is laid on. The
finishing coat shall be applied in a uniform thickness of slightly more than 6mm.The
method of application shall be as described earlier except that the surface shall not be
beaten with bamboo strips. The final thickness of the top coat shall be 6mm.

Thickness
The thickness of the under coat of plaster specified shall be exclusive of the thickness of
the key. The average thickness of the under coat shall not be less than 12mm whether the
wall treated is of brick or stone. In the case of brick work the minimum thickness over
any portion of the surface shall not be less than 10mm while in the case of stone work,
the minimum thickness over the bushing shall not be less than 6mm.
6mm finishing coat shall be uniformly 6mm thick over the under coat in the case of both
brick and stone masonry.