What is BS EN 450-1 - Specifications and conformity criteria for fly ash for concrete about?
BS EN 450 is a European Standard on fly ash used for manufacturing concrete. The BS EN 450 series' objective is to provide manufacturers with the best industry practices to ensure fly ash for concrete is fit for its intended use and plays a positive role in overall cement performance.
BS EN 450-1 is the first part of the BS EN 450 series that specifies requirements for the chemical and physical properties as well as quality control procedures for siliceous fly ash, for use as a type II addition for the production of concrete conforming to EN 206-1.
Fly ash according to BS EN 450-1 may also be used in mortars and grouts.
Note 1: Fly ash produced with other types or higher percentages of co-combustion materials than those provided for in Clause 4 is outside the scope of BS EN 450-1.
Note 2: BS EN 450-1 does not specify provisions governing the practical application of fly ash in the production of concrete, i.e., requirements concerning composition, mixing, placing, curing etc. of concrete containing fly ash.
Who is BS EN 450-1 - Specifications and conformity criteria for fly ash for concrete for?
BS EN 450-1 on fly ash for concrete is useful for:
- Manufacturers of concrete and concrete products
- Cement production plants
- Quality control and testing bodies
- Construction industry
- Civil engineers
- Contractors
- Regulatory bodies
Why should you use BS EN 450-1 - Specifications and conformity criteria for fly ash for concrete?
The use of coal for electricity production results in the generation of large quantities of fly ash. Different types of coal and the type of boiler used in this process produce different fly ashes, such as siliceous, silico-calcareous, or calcareous fly ashes with pozzolanic and/or latent hydraulic properties. All these types of fly ash are used in concrete production in some European countries, based on national experience and tradition. The main purpose of fly ash used in concrete is to improve the workability of concrete and the strength and durability of hardened concrete.
In this regard, BS EN 450-1 provides the suitability of fly ash obtained from the combustion of coal with co-combustion materials.
BS EN 450-1 covers properties, reference standard for test methods and minimum testing frequencies for the auto control testing by the producer or his agent and the statistical assessment procedure.
The chemical and physical requirements provided are specified as characteristic values, and conformity to a characteristic value is assessed by means of a statistical quality control procedure, that is also provided in BS EN 450-1.
Thus, if you are a manufacturer of concrete that uses fly ash, complying with BS EN 450-1 can help demonstrate whether your products are fit for purpose and if they make a positive contribution to the overall performance of cement.
As a result, considering the volume of fly ash produced and technological improvements in the construction sector, establishing conformity of fly ash can help in the quest for sustainable construction materials.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 450-1:2012 supersedes EN 450-1:2005+A1:2007. BS EN 450-1:2012 includes some technical changes with respect to EN 450-1:2005+A1:2007. These include:
- Extension of the permissible content of solid co-combustion materials
- Extension of the permissible content of liquid and gaseous co-combustion materials
- Fixed limits for loss on ignition
- Incorporation of the specifications from EN 450-1+A1:2007
- General editorial revision
