Preface
This is the fourteenth edition of the combined CSA A23.1/CSA 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 supersede the previous editions published in 2019, 2014, 2009, 2004, 2000, 1994, 1990, 1977, 1973, 1967, 1960, 1942, and 1929.
There have been many technical, editorial, and formatting changes throughout this edition; the most significant technical changes are the following:
a) Clause 1.3.2: list of eligible precast elements reduced to align with CSA A23.3;
b) Clause 4: relocation of Clauses on combined aggregate uniformity from the test methods;
c) Clause 4.3.2.3.1: removal of reference to ASTM C1362 (withdrawn) for slump flow;
d) Clause 4, Table 12, Annex O, CSA A23.2-15A, and CSA A23.2-27A: updated for usage of recycled concrete aggregates (RCM and RHC);
e) Clause 5.2.5.5.1: addition of option for delivery tickets to be electronically provided;
f) Clause 7, Table 2, and Table 21: removal of steel for trowel finishes in recognition of alternative materials being used to manufacture trowels;
g) Clause 7.3: additional guidance for construction joints and contraction joints as well as reference to ACI 224.3R;
h) Clause 7.5.3.2: updated guidance on the use of vapour retarding membranes;
i) Clause 7.5.3.10: updated requirements for slab on ground thickness tolerances;
j) Clause 7.6.1: clarification on the use of evaporation retardants for the protection of concrete placements;
k) Clause 7.7.1.4: inclusion of ASTM E1155 to supplement ASTM E1155M for the use of US customary unit devices to measure F-numbers;
l) Clause 7.8.2.2: inclusion of ASTM C1315 for curing materials;
m) Clause 8.2: updated for mass concrete;
n) Clause 8.3: updated for mockup requirements and definitions in Clause 3 for architectural concrete;
o) Clause 8.6: updated and new definition for viscosity as it applies for self-consolidating concrete;
p) Clause 8.13: extensive updates for shotcrete;
q) Tables 1 and 2: clarifications to exposure classes;
r) Table 2: bulk resistivity options for C-1, C-XL, A-1, and A-XL concretes to be used with CSA A23.2-26C;
s) Table 5: addition of slump considerations for contractors when using Alternative 1;
t) Table 6: addition of an option to use cements conforming to ASTM C1157, with the owner’s approval;
u) Tables 3, 6, and 7: harmonization with CSA A3000 for the removal of MH/MHL/LH/LHL cements and the addition of MSL and HSL portland limestone cements;
v) Table 8: harmonization with CSA A3000 for ground glass pozzolans, GH and GL, to be used in HVSCM;
w) Table 13: additional guidance notes for in batch uniformity;
x) Table 21: harmonization of F-number classifications and values with ACI 117;
y) Annex on special cements removed; Annex R moved to Annex A;
z) Annex on concrete surface tolerances removed; Annex T moved to Annex E;
aa) Annex E: updated for mass concrete;
ab) Annex H: updated for fibre-reinforced concrete;
ac) Annex on high-performance concrete removed; Annex U moved to Annex I;
ad) Annex on concrete made with carbon dioxide as an additive merged with Annex M;
ae) CSA A23.2: revisions to the names of test methods to provide more clarity and standardization in naming;
af) CSA A23.2: referencing of CSA A23.2-30A, CSA A23.2-24C, and CSA A23.2-25C used for the purposes of qualification and acceptance;
ag) CSA A23.2-2A: clarification for calculation of the fine aggregate sieve analysis results with washed samples;
ah) CSA A23.2-25A: harmonization with CSA A3000 to remove reference to the autoclave expansion test;
ai) CSA A23.2-25A: additional guidance for timing of zero readings;
aj) CSA A23.2-26A: clarification of the scope for use only with quarried carbonates and its unsuitability for sand, gravels, or non-carbonate rock types;
ak) CSA A23.2-24C and CSA A23.2-25C: reorganization of material in test methods and clarification of sampling requirements for acceptance testing;
al) CSA A23.2-25C: clarification on reporting of non-compliant test specimens;
am) CSA A23.2-26C: clarifications regarding sponge materials for bulk resistivity testing; and
an) CSA A23.2-27C: a new Test Method for evaluating the fluid penetration resistance and surface durability of formed concrete surfaces using rate of absorption profiling.
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 Cementitious Materials.
CSA Group acknowledges that the development of these Standards was made possible, in part, by the financial support of the Canadian Ready Mixed Concrete Association.
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.
These Standards have been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. They have been published as National Standards of Canada by CSA Group.
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CSA A23.1:24 - Concrete materials and methods of concrete construction
Scope
1.1 General
This Standard provides the requirements for materials and methods of construction for
a) cast-in-place concrete and concrete precast in the field; and
b) residential concrete used in the construction of buildings conforming to Part 9 of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC).
1.2 Exclusions
This Standard does not specify the following:
a) requirements for the design of concrete structures, which are provided in CSA A23.3 and CSA S6;
b) designs of specialty concrete products, which are described in separate CSA Group Standards;
c) test methods for concrete, which are provided in CSA A23.2;
d) design provisions governing the fire resistance of reinforced concrete structures, which are set out in the NBC;
e) requirements for the plant production of precast concrete, which are provided in CSA A23.4; and
f) use of proprietary materials or methods of construction.
Note: Proprietary materials or methods of construction may be permitted by the owner under a separate specification, provided that the quality of the resulting construction meets the minimum requirements of this Standard.
1.3 Precasting of concrete in the field
1.3.1
At the option of the owner, precasting of concrete in the field or in a plant (temporary or permanent) is governed by this Standard or by CSA A23.4, except as limited by Clauses 1.3.2, 1.3.3, and 1.3.4 of this Standard.
Note: Guidelines for such a choice are provided in CSA A23.4.
1.3.2
Precast products that may be produced in accordance with this Standard include conventionally reinforced elements of structures, such as tilt-up walls, lintels, and sills. Products requiring prestressing or post-tensioning are produced in accordance with CSA A23.4.
Note: For references to tilt-up construction, see PCA PA163 and ACI 551R.
1.3.3
If tolerances equivalent to the requirements of CSA A23.4 are desired, then CSA A23.4 is specified for all precasting operations.
1.3.4
The requirements of CSA A23.4 are applicable to pretensioned concrete and precast concrete used in segmental construction.
1.4 Parking garages
For parking garages, the additional requirements of CSA S413 are applicable.
1.5 Supplementary specifications
In addition to the requirements of this Standard, the owner may elect to include supplementary specifications to address proprietary materials and methods of construction, or any other elements not dealt with in this Standard, in order to ensure that the desired quality level is maintained.
1.6 Terminology
In this Standard, shall is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and may is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.
Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.
Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.
Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.
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CSA A23.2:24 - Test Methods and Standard Practices for concrete
Scope
1.1 General
This Standard covers the principal test methods for hardened and freshly mixed concrete and for concrete materials, as specified in CSA A23.1 and CSA A23.4. The test methods are organized as follows:
a) aggregate test methods;
b) miscellaneous;
c) concrete test methods; and
d) dimensional (moulds).
1.2 Hazards
This Standard does not purport to address the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this Standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note: Since many users provide individual copies of the test methods for use in the laboratory, the Hazards clause is repeated in each test method.
1.3 Dimensions
This Standard is presented in SI units in accordance with ISO 80000-1.
Note: The ASTM Standards that are referenced herein are often based on the imperial system, with soft SI equivalents. Where ASTM Standards are referenced, the appropriate SI units in the ASTM Standards should be used wherever possible. When the ASTM Standards refer to other ASTM Standards for which there are equivalent CSA Standards, the latter Standards should be used to ensure a continuity in such things as sieve sizes, SI units, and other particular differences between the Standards.
1.4 Terminology
In this Standard, shall is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and may is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.
Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.
Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.
Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.