Preface
This combined new edition of CSA Standards CAN3-A23.1, Concrete
Materials and Methods of Concrete Construction, and CAN3-A23.2, Methods
of Test for Concrete, supersedes previous editions published in 1973, 1967,
1960, 1942, and 1929. These Standards are part of the CSA A23 Series on
Concrete and Reinforced Concrete.
The new edition has been broadened to include extensive coverage of
tolerances, new test methods, and new sections on post-tensioning and
precasting in the field. The requirements for no-fines concrete previously
contained in CSA Standard A23.4, No-Fines Concrete, have now been
incorporated into CSA Standard CAN3-A23.1, and a new CSA Standard for
precasting operations in a plant is being published as CAN3-A23.4, Precast
Concrete-Materials and Construction.
The section on reinforcement has been considerably extended and contains
all the information needed for the placing and protection of reinforcement.
The separate sections on hot and cold weather concreting have been
eliminated; instead, the protection of concrete in all conditions is now
covered under the section on Curing and Protection. This section contains
valuable information that should help to eliminate or reduce both plastic
cracking and cracking due to thermal stresses resulting from form removal
during adverse climatic conditions.
The Committee that prepared these Standards included members representing
all facets of the concrete industry in all parts of Canada. Ten meetings
were held between 1973 and 1977 in addition to numerous meetings held by
the eighteen subcommittees. Close liaison was maintained with the CSA
Committees on Concrete Design, Portland Cement and Concrete Admixtures
during the development of these Standards.
The Committee intends to review and update the Standards on a continuing
basis and to maintain a close liaison with the joint CSA/NBC Committee on
Reinforced Concrete Design.
These Standards were prepared by the CSA Technical Committee on
Concrete Materials under the jurisdiction of the Standards Steering
Committee on Concrete and were formally approved by these Committees.
They were approved as National Standards of Canada by the Standards
Council of Canada.
