scope:

Preface

This is the eleventh edition of the combined CSA A23.1/A23.2,Concrete materials and methods of concrete construction/Test methods and standard practices for concrete. These Standards are part of the CSA A23 series on concrete and reinforced concrete and supersede the previous editions published in 2004, 2000, 1994, 1990, 1977, 1973, 1967, 1960, 1942, and 1929. This eleventh edition of CSA A23.1/A23.2 also replaces CSA A438-00.

Significant changes from the previous edition include the following:

(a) The introduction of portland-limestone cements in parallel with similar revisions to A3000-08.

(b) Introduction of the use of mineral fillers in concrete, with limitations on their use and the addition of a new Annex L to assist readers in the use of mineral fillers.

(c) CSA A23.1 has incorporated provisions for concrete for housing and small (Part 9) buildings under the general term "residential concrete". The requirements for these "R" exposure classes of concrete have been transferred essentially as is from CSA A438-00. No changes have been made to the technical requirements of R-class concretes found in the 2000 edition of CSA A438. Relevant clauses pertaining to R-Class concretes can be found in Clause 8.13 of CSA A23.1.

(d) Requirements for interior floor slabs have been clarified and expanded in Clause 8.12.

(e) A new Annex N on pervious concrete has been added.

(f) A new Annex M provides information on sustainable development, construction, and concrete.

(g) Annex J, providing guidance on selecting alternatives for specifying and ordering concrete, has been expanded and updated.

(h) The test methods have been extensively reviewed and updated, with precision and bias statements added to some. Several new test methods have been added.

In addition, numerous technical and editorial changes have been made throughout.

The Technical Committee includes representatives from most geographical areas of Canada and from all sectors of the industry: concrete producers, specifying and regulatory authorities, materials consultants, concrete testing laboratories, researchers, and teachers. The Technical Committee intends to review and update these Standards on a continuing basis and to maintain a close liaison with the CSA Technical Committees on Design of Concrete Structures and Cementing Materials.

CSA acknowledges that the development of this Standard was made possible, in part, by the financial support of the Canadian Ready Mixed Concrete Association and the Concrete Floor Contractors Association of Ontario.

These Standards were prepared by the Technical Committee on Concrete Materials and Construction, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Concrete and Related Products, and have been formally approved by the Technical Committee.

Notes:

(1) Use of the singular does not exclude the plural (and vice versa) when the sense allows.

(2) Although the intended primary application of this Standard is stated in its Scope, it is important to note that it remains the responsibility of the users of the Standard to judge its suitability for their particular purpose.

(3) This publication was developed by consensus, which is defined by CSA Policy governing standardization - Code of good practice for standardization as "substantial agreement. Consensus implies much more than a simple majority, but not necessarily unanimity". It is consistent with this definition that a member may be included in the Technical Committee list and yet not be in full agreement with all clauses of this publication.

(4) CSA Standards are subject to periodic review, and suggestions for their improvement will be referred to the appropriate committee.

(5) All enquiries regarding this Standard, including requests for interpretation, should be addressed to Canadian Standards Association, 5060 Spectrum Way, Suite 100, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4W 5N6.