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This publication is for information purposes only and should only be read in conjunction with the concrete specifcation standard I.S. EN 206-1: 2002, Concrete - Part 1:
Specifcation, performance, production and conformity. Roadstone do not accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever resulting from the information contained in this
publication. Roadstone reserve the right to seek indemnifcation from any persons to whom this publication has been furnished in respect of any third party claims, losses or
demands that may be made against Roadstone.
Concrete Specifcation
Guidance on I.S. EN 206
Table 3. Exposure Classes Refer to Table 1 I.S. EN206
Class
Designation
Description of environment Informative examples where exposure may occur
1. No risk of corrosion attack
XO For concrete without reinforcement or
embedded metal: All exposures except
where there is a freeze/thaw, abrasion
or chemical attack.
For Concrete with reinforced or
embedded metal: Very Dry
Concrete inside buildings with very low air humidity
2. Corrosion induced by carbonation
XC1
XC2
XC3
XC4
Dry or permanently wet
Wet, rarely dry
Moderate humidity
Cyclic wet and dry
Concrete inside buldings with low air humidity, e.g. foor slabs.
Concrete permanently submerged in water.
Concrete surfaces subject to long term water contact, many foundations.
Concrete inside buildings with moderate or high air humidity.
External concrete sheltered from rain.
Concrete surfaces subject to water contact, not within exposure class XC2.
3. Corrosion induced by chlorides
XD1
XD2
XD3
Moderate humidity
Wet, rarely dry
Cyclic wet and dry
Concrete surfaces exposed to airborne chlorides.
Swimming pools, Concrete exposed to industrial waters containing chlorides.
Parts of bridges exposed to spray containing chlorides, pavements, car park slabs.
4. Corrosion induced by chlorides from sea air
XS1
XS2
XS3
Exposed to airborne salt but not in
direct contact with sea water
Permanently submerged
Tidal and spray zones
Structures near to or on the coast.
Parts of marine structures.
Parts of marine structures.
5. Freeze/thaw attack with or without de-icing agents
XF1
XF2
XF3
XF4
Moderate water saturation without
de-icing agent
Moderate water saturation
with de-icing
High water saturation without
de-icing agent
High water saturation, with de-icing
agent or sea water
Vertical concrete surfaces exposed to rain and freezing.
Vertical concrete surfaces of road structures exposed to freezing & agent airborne
de-icing agents.
Horizontal concrete surfaces exposed to rain and freezing.
Road and bridge decks exposed to de-icing agents. Concrete surfaces exposed to
direct spray containing de-icing agents and freezing. Splash zones or marine
structures exposed to freezing.
6. Chemical attack
XA1
XA2
XA3
Slightly aggressive chemical environment according to Table 2, I.S. EN 206.
Moderately aggressive chemical environment according to Table 2, I.S. EN 206.
Highly aggressive chemical environment according to Table 2, I.S. EN 206.
Guidance chart for selecting mixes
Group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Exposure
(X) Code
XO XC1 XC2
XF1
XC3
XC4
XD1
XA1
XA1 XS1
XS2
XD2
XF2
XA2
XS3
XD3
XF3
XF4
XA3
XF1(AE)
XF2(AE)
XF3(AE)
XF4(AE)
Max W/C Ratio 0.65 0.6 0.55 0.5 0.5 0.45
Min Strength C12/15 C25/30 C28/35 C30/37 C32/40 C35/45 C40/50 Technical
Min Cement 280 300 320 340 360 400 On
Equiv. Grade C15 C30 C35 C37 C40 C45 C50 Request
KEY CHANGES
Compressive Strength Classes
A dual classifcation has been adapted for compressive strength. The letter C
is followed by two numbers, the frst being the minimum characteristic cylinder
strength and the second number is the minimum characteristic cube strength,
e.g. 35N is now expressed as C28/35 (see Table 1).
Note 1: There are new strength designations included, e.g. C30/37.
Note 2: The size of aggregate is not included in the new mix descriptions and
must be clarifed by the user when ordering concrete.
Note 3: There are also new descriptors for identifying the size of aggregate
required. e.g. 20mm aggregate is now described as D20. (See I.S. EN
12620 Aggregates for concrete).
Consistence Classes
The term workability is replaced by the term consistence. The slump is now
identifed by the letter S followed by a number e.g. 75mm slump is now
expressed as S2. There are fve Consistence Classes (see Table 2). Generally,
consistence should be specifed by a class rather than a target value.
Exposure Classes
The Exposure Class is very signifcant. There is now a more complex prescriptive
approach to specifying the durability required over the designed life of the
concrete. This is determined by the end-use, e.g. concrete in the interior
of a building will have a diferent exposure rating to concrete used in the
foundations. The letter X denotes the exposure class followed by additional
letters and numbers to identify a specifc exposure (see Table 3). Other key
factors for ordering concrete continue to be the aesthetic fnish required, the
rate of placement, the method of placement and reinforcement cover etc. The
exposure classes are divided into six broad areas.
Note: Concrete can fall into more than one exposure class. In this instance,
the highest compressive strength class should be specifed
and ordered.
Delivery Docket Information:
Example: The mix description 35N/20 - 75mm slump (for use in
foundations) - will now be described as: C28/35- D20- S2- XC2.
INTRODUCTION
COMPLIANCE:
Conformity
Conformity is assessed by a series of tests and procedures undertaken by the concrete
producer to assure the user/specifer that the delivered concrete conforms to the
specifed requirements of I.S. EN 206-1.
Identity Testing
Tests which may be undertaken by the user/specifer to verify that the concrete
is as specifed.
Concrete specifcation standard
I.S. EN 206-1: 2002, Concrete - Part 1:
Specifcation, performance, production and
conformity, has been the relevant standard for
concrete in Ireland since June 1, 2004. This is an
easy-to-use introductory guide to understanding
and interpreting the new standard, courtesy of
Roadstone, the standard-bearers for excellence in
concrete production.
The Irish standard consists of the text of the European document (EN 206-1)
and also includes a national annex with specifc additional information and
responsibilities for specifers, users and producers in Ireland - e.g. Table F.l (IRL) P.
76 I.S. EN 206-1. The new Standard replaces I.S. 326.
The format for specifying and ordering concrete has changed and new
mix descriptions will now apply. The new terminology e.g. Compressive
Strength Classes; Consistence Classes and Exposure Classes, make the standards
appear more complex but the process should lead to more appropriate
concrete specifcation.
Table 1. Compressive
Strength Classes
Concrete
Strength
Strength Classes
- Cylinder / Cube
10N C 8 / 10
15N C 12 / 15
20N C 16 / 20
25N C 20 / 25
30N C 25 / 30
35N C 28 / 35
37N C 30 / 37
40N C 32 / 40
45N C 35 / 45
50N C 40 / 50
55N C 45 / 55
60N C 50 / 60
Refer to Table 7 (Irl). I.S. EN206
Table 2. Consistence Classes
Slump Consistence
Classes
10 - 40mm S1
50 - 90mm S2
100 - 150mm S3
160 - 210mm S4
220mm+ S5
Refer to Table 3 (Irl). I.S. EN206.
I.S. EN 206:2002
READY-MIX
CONCRETE
I.S. EN 9002