CARICOM REGIONAL STANDARD

SPECIFICATION FOR CEMENT

CRS 54:20xx

CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality, CROSQ

2ND Floor Nicholas House
29 & 30 Broad Street
Bridgetown, St Michael
Barbados
Telephone: 246-622-7677
Fax: 246-622-6778
Email: crosq.caricom@crosq.org
Website: http://www.crosq.org
CRS 54 :20xx

CRS/FDCS 54: 20xx

© CROSQ – All rights reserved. No part of this publication is to be reproduced without the prior
written consent of CROSQ.

AMENDMENTS ISSUED SINCE PUBLICATION

AMENDMENT NO. DATE OF ISSUE TEXT AFFECTED

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CRS 54 :20xx

ATTACHMENT PAGE FOR CRS AMENDMENT SHEETS

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Committee

The Regional Technical Sub-Committee responsible for the formulation of this CARICOM Regional
Standard is as follows:

Members Representing

Dr Liebert Grierson (Chairperson) University of the West Indies, Faculty of

Science and Agriculture, Department of
Chemistry

Mr Suresh Ramdhanie Caribbean Industrial Research Institute

Mr Sanish Maharaj Readymix (WI) Ltd

Mr Wayne Benjamin Trinidad Cement Ltd

Mr Harriram Jairam Eternoc Ltd

Mr Nari Boris Ministry of Legal Affairs, Consumer Affairs

Division

Mr Victor Sooknarine Harricrete Ltd

Mr Kester Siewlal Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standard,

Laboratory Services Division

Mr Darryl Thomson (Technical Secretary) Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards,

Standardization Division

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CRS 54 :20xx

Contents

Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................................... v
1 Scope ...............................................................................................................................................................1
2 Normative references .......................................................................................................................................2
3 Terms and definitions .......................................................................................................................................3
4 Cement designation .........................................................................................................................................4
5 Cement composition ........................................................................................................................................4
6 Chemical properties .........................................................................................................................................8
7 Mechanical and physical properties .............................................................................................................. 10
8 Labelling ........................................................................................................................................................ 13
9 Packaging ..................................................................................................................................................... 13
10 Certificates of conformity............................................................................................................................... 14
11 Compliance ................................................................................................................................................... 14
Annex A (normative) Determination of constituent proportion .................................................................................. 15

Tables

Table 1 — Cement types and composition ............................................................................................. 6

Table 2 — Chemical requirements for CRS cement types ..................................................................... 9

Table 3 — Chemical requirements for CEM cement types ................................................................... 10

Table 4 — Mechanical and physical requirements for CRS cements .................................................. 11

Table 5 — Mechanical and physical properties for CEM cement types ............................................... 12

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CRS 54 :20xx

Foreword
The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality has recommended that this standard
be implemented with mandatory effect in order to protect the consumer or user against danger to
health or safety.

This regional standard is intended for use by manufacturers, importers and distributors of cement. It is
also intended to provide engineers and other users with the expected performance requirements of
cements covered by this standard.

This standard was based on the Barbados Standard BNS 69:2005 and was amended to reflect issues
and concerns raised by the Member States of the Caribbean Community. The standard is based
mainly on ASTM C150, Standard Specification for Portland Cement, ASTM C595 Standard
Specification for blended hydraulic cements and EN 197-1 Cement – Part 1: Composition,
specifications and conformity criteria for common cements. Due to differing cement standards in use
within the region, this standard adopts an approach that would address cements conforming to ASTM
C150, ASTM C595 and EN 197-1 requirements.

This standard specifies requirements for eleven types of cement derived from standards from United
States and European Union; these cement types, which are not exhaustive, are considered to be the
most widely used hydraulic cement types used by the construction industry within the Caribbean
region.

In formulating this standard considerable assistance was derived from the following standards:

ASTM C595, Standard Specification for blended hydraulic cements;

ASTM C1157, Standard performance specification for hydraulic cements; and

EN 197-1, Cement – Part 1: Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements.

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CRS 54 :20xx

1 Scope
This standard specifies requirements for hydraulic cements used primarily in the construction industry.
It in0cludes requirements for the classification, composition, chemical properties, mechanical
properties, sampling, testing, packaging and labelling of certain types of cement.

NOTE This standard adopts a dual classification system, with requirements for:

• CRS cement types – based on requirements of the ASTM C150 and ASTM C595 standards; and

• CEM cement types - based on requirements of the EN 197-1 standard.

CRS and CEM cement types have common requirements for composition, packaging and labelling with differing requirements
for mechanical and chemical properties.

This standard applies to ordinary Portland and blended cements of the following types:

a) CRS cement types:

 CRS 1, Ordinary Portland cement,

 CRS 2, Rapid-hardening Portland cement,

 CRS 3, Blended hydraulic cement,

 CRS 4, Composite cement,

 CRS 5, Pozzolan cement, and

 CRS 6, Blastfurnace slag cement.

b) CEM cement types:

 CEM I, Portland cement and rapid hardening,

 CEM II, Portland-composite cement,

 CEM III, Blastfurnace cement,

 CEM IV Pozzolanic cement, and

 CEM V Composite cement.

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CRS 54 :20xx

2 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this standard. For all undated references, the latest edition of the normative documents
apply.

ASTM C 109/C 109M, Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars
(Using 2-in. or [50mm] Cube Specimens)

ASTM C 114B, Standard Test Method for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement

ASTM C 150, Standard Specification for Portland Cement

ASTM C 151, Standard Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Portland Cement

ASTMC 183, Standard Practice for Sampling and the Amount of Testing of Hydraulic Cement

ASTM C185, Standard Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar

ASTM C191, Standard Test Method for Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat Needle

ASTM C204, Standard Test Method for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by Air Permeability Apparatus

ASTM 1038, Standard Test Method for Expansion of Hydraulic Cement Mortar Bars Stored in Water

CRS 55, Labelling of goods – General principles

EN 196-1, Methods of testing cement – Part 1: Determination of strength

EN 196-2, Methods of testing cement – Part 2: Chemical analysis of cement

EN 196-3, Methods of testing cement – Part 3: Determination of setting time and soundness

EN 196-5, Methods of testing cement – Part 5: Determination of fineness

EN 196-7, Methods of testing cement – Part 7: Method of taking and preparing samples of cement

EN 196-21, Methods of testing cement – Part 21: Determination of the chloride, carbon dioxide and
alkali content of cement

EN 197-1, Cement – Part 1: Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements

EN 197-2, Methods of testing cement – Part 1: Determination of strength

ISO 2951, Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes -- Part 1: Sampling schemes indexed by
acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot-by-lot inspection

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CRS 54 :20xx

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply.

3.1
cement
hydraulic binder that when appropriately batched and mixed with aggregate and water, is capable of
producing concrete or mortar which retains its workability for a sufficient time and after defined
periods attains specified strength levels

3.2
filler
inert, natural or artificial inorganic materials (other than blastfurnace slag, natural pozzolana or
pulverized-fuel ash), which improve the physical properties of the cement (such as increasing
workability and reducing concrete bleeding)

3.3
fly ash
material obtained by electrostatic or mechanical precipitation of dust-like particles from the flue gases
emanating from furnaces fired with pulverized coal

3.4
granulated blastfurnace slag
slag formed by the rapid cooling of a slag melt of suitable composition obtained by the smelting of iron
ore in a blastfurnace

3.5
hydraulic cement
finely ground inorganic material which, when mixed with water, forms a paste which sets and hardens
by means of hydration reactions and processes and which after hardening, retains its strength and
stability

3.6
main constituent
specially selected inorganic material in a proportion exceeding 5% by mass related to the sum of all
constituents

3.7
minor constituent
specially selected inorganic material used in a proportion not exceeding 5 % by mass related to the
sum of all main constituents

3.8
National Competent Authority
state agency or institution with responsibility for market surveillance of construction products

3.9
Portland cement clinker
clinker which is made by sintering a specific mixture of raw materials containing elements usually
expressed as oxides (CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3) and small quantities of other materials

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CRS 54 :20xx

3.10
pozzolan
pozzolanic materials
siliceous material or a mixture of siliceous and aluminous materials, which itself possesses little or no
cementitious properties but will, in finely divided form and in the presence of moisture, chemically
react with calcium hydroxide at ordinary temperatures to form compounds possessing cementitious
properties

3.11
sampling plan
specific plan which states the sample size to be used, the percentage and the allowable probability of
acceptance

3.12
vendor
seller including the manufacturer, distributor or importer

4 Cement designation
For the purposes of this standard, cement shall be classified in accordance with Table 1 as either:

 CRS cement type; or

 CEM cement type.

5 Cement composition

5.1 General

Cement shall consist of main constituents, minor constituents, calcium sulphate and additives as
specified in 5.2 to 5.5.

Cement types shall meet the relevant requirements for composition as outlined in Table 1.

5.2 Main constituents

5.2.1 Main constituent composition

5.2.1.1 The main constituent(s) of the cement shall comprise:

a) Portland cement clinker only; or

b) Portland cement clinker together with one or more of the following materials:

 granulated blastfurnace slag;

 pozzolanic material;

 limestone; and
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CRS 54 :20xx

 fly ash.

5.2.1.2 Each main constituent used shall be present in a quantity greater than 5% by mass of the
final cement. The main constituents shall be in the proportions specified in Table 1 and shall
cumulatively comprise no less than 95% of the mass of the final cement.

NOTE For the purposes of this standard, final cement refers to the total quantity of main
constituents plus the quantity of minor constituents and excludes calcium sulphate and filler.

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CRS 54 :20xx

Table 1 — Cement types and composition

Cement type Reference Main constituents (%) Minor

and standard constituents
description and Clinker Blastfurnace Pozzolanic Fly ash Limestone (%)
equivalent slag material
cement type

CRS 1, ASTM C150 Not Not Not

Ordinary (Type I) Not
95 - 100 applicable applicable applicable 0-5
Portland applicable
cement

CRS 2, ASTM C150

Rapid (Type III) Not Not Not Not
hardening 95 - 100 applicable applicable applicable applicable 0-5
Portland
cement

CRS 3, ASTM C595

Blended (Types IP,
65 – 94 6 – 35 of any one main constituent 0–5
hydraulic IS, IT or IL)
a
cement

CRS 4, ASTM C595

Composite (Type IT) 65 – 94 6 – 35 of more than one main constituent 0–5
b
cement

CRS 5, ASTM C595 11-55 of

Pozzolan (Type IP) Not more than Not Not
cement 45 – 89 applicable one main applicable applicable 0-5
constituent

CRS 6, ASTM C595 Not Not Not

36 – 80
Blastfurnace (Type IS) 20 - 64 applicable applicable applicable 0-5
slag cement

CEM I, EN 197-1 Not Not Not Not

Portland 95 - 100 applicable applicable applicable applicable 0-5
cement CEM I

CEM II, EN 197-1

Portland (CEM II)
composite 64 - 94 6 – 35 of any one main constituent 0-5
cement

CEM III, Blast EN 197-1

furnace slag (CEM III) - - -
20 - 64 36 – 80 0-5

CEM IV, EN 197-1 45 – 89 - 11 – 55 - 0-5 0–5

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Cement type Reference Main constituents (%) Minor

and standard constituents
description and Clinker Blastfurnace Pozzolanic Fly ash Limestone (%)
equivalent slag material
cement type
Pozzolanic (CEM IV)
cement

CEM V, EN 197-1
Composite (CEM V) 20 - 64 18 – 50 18 – 50 - 0-5
cement

NOTE 1 CRS 1, Ordinary Portland Cement and CRS 2 Rapid Hardening have the same main constituent composition.
NOTE 2 The early strength properties of CRS 2, Rapid Hardening cement is achieved via the addition of Calcium
Sulphate which controls cement setting time and which is specified in 5.1.

a
CRS 3, Blended hydraulic cement shall consist of Portland cement clinker and any one of the main constituents. A
ternary blended hydraulic cement may consist of any of the following combinations
 a combination of two pozzolans,
 slag cement and a pozzolan,
 a pozzolan and a limestone, or
 slag cement and a limestone

b
Composite cement shall consist of Portland cement clinker and more than one of the main constituents.

5.2.2 Portland cement clinker

Portland cement clinker shall consist of at least two-thirds by mass of calcium silicates. The remaining
one third shall consist of aluminum and iron containing clinker phases and other compounds. The
content of magnesium oxide shall not exceed 5.0% by mass.

5.2.3 Limestone

The calcium carbonate content of the limestone calculated from the calcium oxide shall be at least
70% by mass.

5.3 Minor constituents

Minor constituents shall consist of one or more of the following materials provided that they are not
included as main constituents in the cement:
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CRS 54 :20xx

- granulated blastfurnace slag;

- pozzolanic materials;

- pulverized-fuel ash (fly ash); and

- filler.

The minor constituents shall cumulatively comprise no more than 5% of the mass of the final cement.

5.4 Calcium sulphate

Calcium sulphate shall be gypsum (CaSO4∙2H2O), hemihydrate (CaSO4∙1/2H2O), or anhydrite

(CaSO4) or any mixture of these.

NOTE Calcium sulphate is added to the other main constituents of cement during the manufacturing
process to control setting time.

5.5 Additives

Additives are constituents not covered in 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 that are added to improve the manufacture
or the properties of the cement. The total quantity of the additives shall not exceed 1.0% by mass of
the final cement.

6 Chemical properties
The chemical properties of cement shall conform to the requirements and relevant test method(s) in

• Table 2 for CRS cement types; and

• Table 3 for CEM cement types.

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Table 2 — Chemical requirements for CRS cement types

Property Test method Cement type

CRS 1 CRS 2 CRS 3 CRS 4 CRS 5 CRS 6

Maximum % Pozzolana
Ordinary Rapid Blended Composite cement Blastfurnace
Portland hardening hydraulic cement slag cement
cement Portland cement
cement

Magnesium ASTM C 114,

oxide Method B 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
(MgO)

Sulphur trioxide ASTM C 114,

a
(SO3 ) Method B 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.0
where C3A ≤ 8%

Sulphur trioxide ASTM C 114,

a
(SO3 ) Method B 3.5 4.5 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.0
where C3A > 8%

Loss on ASTM C 114,

ignition Method B 3.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 5.0 5.0

Insoluble ASTM C 114,

b Not Not Not
residue Method B 0.8 0.8
specified specified 1.0 specified

Tricalcium ASTM C 114,

Not Not Not Not Not
aluminate Method B 15
b specified specified specified specified specified
(C3A)

a
An increase of 5% in the maximum sulphur trioxide limits specified in Table 2 may be allowed, provided that:
a) the physical requirements in Clause 7 are satisfied,
b) expansion ≤ 0.020 % when tested at 14 days in accordance with ASTM C 1038, and
c) the vendor can show by historical evidence that this increased level of SO3 is required for optimum cement
performance.
b
Where properties are not specified for certain cement types, the values are left to the vendor’s discretion. These cement types
shall however still conform to the relevant mechanical and physical requirements set out in Clause 7.

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Table 3 — Chemical requirements for CEM cement types

Property Test Strength class Cement type
method CEM I CEM II CEM III CEM V CEM IV
maximum %
Sulphur EN 196-2 32.5 N, 32.5 R, 3.5 3.5 - 3.5 -3.5
trioxide 42.5 N
maximum % 42.5 R, 52. 5 N, 4.0 4.0 - 4.0 4.0
52.5 R
Loss on EN 196-2 All 5.0 - 5.0 - -
ignition,
maximum %
Insoluble EN 196-2 All 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
residue,
maximum %
Chloride EN 196-21 All 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10
content
maximum %
Pozzolanicity EN 196-5 All - - - Satisfies test
requirement of
EN 196-5

7 Mechanical and physical properties

7.1 CRS cement types

CRS cement types shall meet the requirements specified in Table 4.

7.2 CEM cement types

7.2.1 CEM cement types shall meet the requirements specified in Table 5.

7.2.2 CEM cement types shall meet one of the following strength classes as specified in Table 5:

 class 32.5,

 class 42.5 and

 class 52.5.

NOTE There is no strength class for CRS cement types.

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Table 4 — Mechanical and physical requirements for CRS cements

Property Test method Cement type
CRS 1 CRS 2 Rapid CRS 3 CRS 4 CRS 5 CRS 6
Ordinary Hardening Blended Composite Pozzolan Blastfurnace
Portland Portland hydraulic cement cement slag
cement cement cement cement
Air content of
mortar ASTM C 185 12 12 12 12 12 12

max %
Autoclave
expansion ASTM C 151 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8

min%
Autoclave
contraction ASTM C 151, 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
Method B
max%
Fineness
ASTM C 204, 280 - - - -
specific surface Method B
2
m /kg air 32.5
permeability test ,
min
Early
compressive ASTM C 109M - 12.0 - - - -
a
strength (1-day)
MPa, min
Early
compressive ASTM C 109M 12.0 24.0 13.0 13.0 13.0 13.0
strength (3-day)
MPa, min
Early
compressive ASTM C 109M 19.0 - 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0
strength (7-day)
MPa, min
Standard
compressive ASTM C 109M 28.0 - 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0
strength (28-day)
MPa, min
Time of setting,
(initial set) not less ASTM C 191, 45 45 45 45 45 45
than (minutes) Method B

Time of setting,
(final set) not more ASTM C 191 375 375 420 420 420 420
than (minutes)

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Property Test method Cement type

CRS 1 CRS 2 Rapid CRS 3 CRS 4 CRS 5 CRS 6
Ordinary Hardening Blended Composite Pozzolan Blastfurnace
Portland Portland hydraulic cement cement slag
cement cement cement cement
a
The 1-day early compressive strength test is indicative of subsequent strength performance.

Table 5 — Mechanical and physical properties for CEM cement types

Strength Compressive strength Initial Soundness

class setting (expansion)
MPa
time
Early strength Standard strength
min mm
2 days 7 days 28 days

32.5 N - ≥ 16.0 ≥ 32.5 ≤ 52.5 ≥ 75 ≤ 10

32.5 R ≥ 10.0 -

42.5 N ≥ 10.0 - > 42.5 62.5 ≥ 60

42.5 R ≥ 20.0 -

52.5 N ≥ 20. 0 - > 52.5 - ≥ 45

52.5 R ≥ 30.0 -

Test EN 196-1 EN 196-3

method

N refers to cement types which have ordinary early strength while R refers to cement types which have high early
strength.

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8 Labelling

8.1 General labelling requirements

Retail packages of cement shall be labeled in accordance with the requirements of CRS 55, Labelling
of goods – General principles and shall include the following information:

a) cement type based on the classification system outlined in Table 1;

b) brand or trade name or trademark,

c) net quantity, stated in kilograms,

d) name and address of the vendor;

e) country of origin; and

f) packing date.

8.2 Safety precaution

Labels shall provide guidance on safety precautions including but not limited to the following:

a) A warning about the release of alkali when cement is mixed with water; and

EXAMPLE “When cement is mixed with water alkali is released”

b) A warning about

1) not allowing dry cement to enter the eyes, mouth and nose, and

2) avoiding skin contact with wet cement.

8.3 Storage information

Bags containing cement shall be labelled with information providing guidance concerning its storage.

EXAMPLE “Cement should be stored clear off the ground and protected by a waterproof structure”.

9 Packaging

9.1 Packaging material

Unless otherwise agreed between the purchaser and the vendor, the cement shall be packed in bags,
made of gunny, multi-ply paper, polypropylene or cloth.
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CRS 54 :20xx

9.2 Minimum mass

Individual bags of cement shall contain at least 98% of the mass stated on the packaging.

For shipments involving multiple bags, the average mass of a sample of bags taken in accordance
with ISO 2951 inspection level I, shall have an average mass that is at least the mass stated on the
package.

10 Certificates of conformity
The vendor shall ensure that the cement at the time of its delivery conforms to the requirements of
this regional standard and shall provide a certificate to this effect to the purchaser or the designated
National Competent Authority, upon request.

11 Compliance

11.1 Certification marks

Cement which is packaged in bags containing a product certification mark acceptable to the National
Competent Authority shall be deemed to comply with this regional standard, subject to any additional
verification processes and procedures required by the National Competent Authority.

11.2 Cements conforming to CRS cement types

A batch of cement which is classified as a CRS cement type shall be sampled in accordance with
ASTM C183 and shall satisfy the requirements of Clauses 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 as well as Tables 1, 2 and
4 in order to demonstrate compliance with this regional standard

Alternatively, an independent third party test report from an accredited laboratory subject to any
additional verification processes and procedures, shall be acceptable to the National Competent
Authority,

11.3 Cements conforming to CEM cement types

A batch of cement which is classified as a CEM cement type shall be sampled in accordance with
EN 196-7 and shall satisfy the requirements of Clauses 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 as well as Tables 1, 3 and 5
in order to demonstrate compliance with this regional standard

Alternatively, an independent third party test report from an accredited laboratory subject to any
additional verification processes and procedures, shall be acceptable to the National Competent
Authority.

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Annex A
(normative)

Determination of constituent proportion

A.1 When the ratio of percentages of aluminium oxide to ferric oxide is 0.64 or more, the percentages
of tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, and tetracalcium aluminoferrite shall be calculated from the
chemical analysis as follows:

With limestone:

Tricalcium silicate (C3S) = (4.071 X %Ca)-[7.600 X %SiO2 + 6.718 X % Al2O3 + 1.430 X % Fe2O3 ]

A.2 When the ratio of percentages of aluminium oxide to ferric oxide is less than 0.64, the
percentages of tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, tricalcium silicate and tetracalcium aluminoferrite
shall be calculated from the chemical analysis as follows:

(C3S) = (4.071 X %Ca)-[7.600 X %SiO2 + 4.479 X % Al2O3 + 2.859 X % Fe2O3]

Without limestone:

 Tricalcium silicate (C3S) = (4.071 X %Ca)-[7.600 X %SiO2 + 4.479 X % Al2O3 + 2.859 X

%Fe2O3 )

 Dicalcium silicate (C2S) = 2.867 X % SiO2 – 0.7544 X % C3S

 Tricalcium aluminate (C3A) – 2.650 X %Al2O3 – 1.692 X %Fe2O3

 Tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C4AF) = 3.043 X %Fe2O3

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