GENERAL OVERVIEW
ASTM Committee C01 on Cement was formed in 1902. C01 meets twice each year, in June and December, with approximately 100 members attending over a three-day session. The Committee, with membership of approximately 400, currently has jurisdiction of over 52 standards, published in September in the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Volume 04.01. C01 has 19 technical subcommittees that maintain these standards. Information on this subcommittee structure and C01’s portfolio of approved standards and Work Items under development is available from the List of Subcommittees, Standards, and Work Items. These standards, together with the standards developed by ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and committees of the American Concrete Institute (ACI), are essential to construction of the United States’ civil infrastructure.
ACTIVITIES, PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES
Committee C01 addresses hydraulic cements, including portland, natural, pozzolanic, masonry, and slag cements. The focus is on the investigation of the properties of hydraulic cements and the promotion of improvement and uniformity of testing of these materials. Portland cement, the basic ingredient of concrete, is a closely controlled chemical combination of calcium, silicon, aluminum, iron, and small amounts of other ingredients, to which gypsum is added in the final grinding process to regulate the setting time of the concrete. Of all the world’s synthetic chemical products, portland cement clinker is the one produced in the largest quantities.
Over the past century, standards developed by ASTM Committee C01 have established a foundation for the continued development of the U.S. cement industry. From the inception of C01’s forerunner, Committee C in 1902, key cement industry representatives have recognized the tremendous value of standardized test methods and uniform national specifications, and actively participated in the standards development process.
ASTM Committee C01 actively participates in symposia on relevant topics. ASTM symposia provide an opportunity for members and others to present their research findings and exchange information. Often the discussion identifies critical areas facing today’s emerging technologies and forms the technical basis for the development of new and revised ASTM International standards.
Committee C01, jointly with Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates, oversees the activities of the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL), which operates programs that promote the quality of testing in construction materials laboratories. These are laboratory inspection and proficiency sample programs that provide laboratories with a mechanism for determining the quality of their testing of hydraulic cement, portland cement concrete and aggregates, steel reinforcing bars, pozzolans, and masonry materials using ASTM standards.
The proficiency sample programs (PSP) were developed as a means for a laboratory to monitor the quality of its testing between CCRL on-site assessments. The PSP are based on the two-sample system, and the information provided by CCRL gives an indication of a laboratory’s overall proficiency for given tests.
The laboratory inspection program provides a laboratory with a comprehensive account of how its procedures, practices, equipment and facilities compare with ASTM standards requirements. The CCRL laboratory inspector checks critical equipment dimensions and operating characteristics; watches a technician demonstrate test procedures; and reviews the quality system when covered by appropriate ASTM standards. The goal is to provide a consistent and fair evaluation so that the laboratory and its clients may have confidence that testing is of high quality and that ASTM standards are being used correctly.
PARTICIPATING AS A MEMBER ON THE COMMITTEE
ASTM International opens its doors to all technical experts with an interest in the standardization process, and the best means to keep abreast of changes, introduce your proposals, and to acquire the standards is to become a member. ASTM membership is comprised of volunteer, industry professionals from around the world.
As a member of ASTM Committee C01, you will be exposed to the robust resources and member benefits included below that have helped make ASTM a worldwide standards development leader for more than a century:
- Network with industry professionals worldwide
- Receive one free volume of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards (in print or CD)
- Use Internet-based Standards Development Forums and E-Balloting
- Receive discounts on all ASTM publications
- Keep up to date through a free subscription to ASTM’s monthly magazine - Standardization News
- Benefit from reduced fees for attendance at ASTM symposia and technical workshops
- And more
Becoming a member can be accomplished from the website by selecting Join ASTM. Benefits include complimentary standards, discounts on material, voting privileges, and access to the rapidly changing standards information that affects your technical community. ASTM Membership is $75 (USD) a year. Members receive a volume of the published standards of the Committee.
Members can participate from anywhere because of ASTM’s customized web-based systems. The best way to contribute as a member is to (1) participate in task group activities that are of interest, both virtually and in person, and (2) vote on ballots and provide feedback and recommendations. To participate in standards activities, start by identifying Work Items of interest by reviewing the List of Subcommittees, Standards, and Work Items on the C01 home page. Contact task group leaders for those areas of interest by reviewing the Work Item summary pages and securing contact information available through the on-line roster in the member area. To make the most of your voting and participation, be sure to stipulate which specific subcommittees you wish to participate in when you join. You will then receive notices of ballots that open within these groups.
To promote standards objectives for this fast-paced industry, C01 uses ASTM’s interactive media. This approach includes our web-based Interactive Forums, a document review and development system always available for capturing comments and maturing documents. Additionally, the Committee conducts virtual meetings in conjunction with conference calls to accelerate document development and increase participation of its global membership in a real-time format.
ASTM Committee C01 regularly holds new member orientation meetings at each of its biannual meetings. The new member orientation is intended to provide new members with a brief overview of the Committee and create an opportunity to meet some of the C01 officers. More information on the ASTM process is available at the ASTM website under Member and Officer Training.
STAKEHOLDERS
Participation by a diverse group of international stakeholders helps to create consensus standards that advance the entire industry and speed the market adoption of new technologies.
Committee members who represent a company or organization that (1) manufactures or sells hydraulic cements or materials used directly in the manufacture of finished hydraulic cements, or (2) manufactures or sells equipment used in the manufacture or the testing of hydraulic cements are classified as producers.
Consultants, academics, unaffiliated retirees, or those members not directly involved in the production or use of hydraulic cement make up the general interest classification. Users may include any member who represents a company or an organization that purchases hydraulic cements including state Departments of Transportation, and other government agencies.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT, AND REGULATION
Committee C01 continues to make significant changes to its specifications and test methods to encompass new materials and to improve the capabilities of cement as a basic ingredient in concrete.
The standards developed and maintained by the Committee C01 contribute to industry by providing recognized safety and reliability measurements; protecting against liability through their use in contracts; providing a means of quality control; contributing to the proficiency of laboratories; and providing a basis for training and certification of qualified personnel.
The quality and testing of materials used in concrete construction are covered by reference to the appropriate ASTM standard specifications in the American Concrete Institute’s 318-05: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary. The code portion of this document covers the proper design and construction of buildings using structural concrete. When ACI 318 is adopted by government entities such as cities and states, it becomes the legal framework for building construction.
Other building codes, which are written directions and enforcement guidelines for construction, reference ASTM standards because they are always updated with the latest technical, business, and safety information. There are several different building codes in the United States, however, the International Code Council, or ICC, is the primary code body. Codes cite standards to clarify specific requirements.
The standards of Committee C01 are also used as the basis for regulation in many countries around the world. Through the use of the Internet, Committee C01 is committed to creating possibilities for participation in the standardization process around the world.
LIAISON
Committee C01 coordinates work with the following organizations.
Key Organizations
American Concrete Institute (ACI International) www.aci-int.com: ACI International is a nonprofit technical and educational society incorporated in the State of Michigan. ACI International is dedicated to improving the design, construction, manufacture and maintenance of concrete structures. ACI’s nearly 18,000 members are made up of structural designers, architects, civil engineers, educators, contractors, concrete craftsmen and technicians, representatives of materials suppliers, students, testing laboratories, and manufacturers from around the globe. ACI technical committees, composed of volunteers, develop ACI recommendations in their respective assigned fields. Their work, subject to review and approval by the Technical Activities Committee and the Standards Board, forms the basis for ACI standards. ACI and ASTM Committee C01 share several members who are active in both organizations.
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) www.aashto.org: AASHTO’s mission is to act as an advocate for multimodal and intermodal transportation, serving member departments, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Congress. AASHTO serves these customers by providing leadership, technical services, information, and advice as well as by contributing to national policy on transportation issues. AASHTO also sponsors forums to facilitate communication among all transportation-related interests.
The AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways develops all major engineering standards, guides, and policies for the highway program and either as a unit or through its subcommittees; investigates, studies, and reports on all engineering activities and developments, including all phases of road and bridge design, construction, maintenance, traffic requirements, roadside development, aesthetics, tests and investigations of materials, and protection of the environment; makes recommendations regarding needed research; promotes and encourages technology transfer by member states and related research agencies; and is responsible for providing the full range of highway engineering publications for the Association.
Membership on the Standing Committee on Highways is limited to the chief highway-engineering officers of member departments, and the committee is composed of five such persons per region of the Association, who are appointed by the president of the association with the concurrence of the Executive Committee.
AASHTO publishes a compilation of approximately 400 standards, including some ASTM cement and concrete standards and some AASHTO cement and concrete standards.
Other Organizations
Portland Cement Association (PCA) www.portcement.org: Founded in 1916, the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. PCA conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs.
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) www.nrmca.org: Founded in 1930, NRMCA represents the producers of ready mixed concrete and those companies that provide materials and support to the industry. NRMCA provides its members with education, training, product promotion assistance, information on research and technology and representation before Congress and regulatory bodies.
Other International Efforts
A joint task group in Committee C01 and Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates continues to explore new opportunities for Latin American participation. 2004 and 2006 trips to Colombia were extremely successful in establishing relationships through which technical information could be shared and have been a catalyst for involving new international members in the ASTM process.
ISO TC 74
ASTM International Committee C01 also maintains an important role of coordinating with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The secretariat for ISO TC 74 on Cement and lime is held by Belgium. TC 74 activities are administered by ASTM under C01.74. Committee C01’s involvement in TC 74 is that of observer and the TC has been inactive for some time.
LINKS AND INFORMATION
The following websites have been identified by Committee C01 to contain information of interest.
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO): www.aashto.org
American Concrete Institute (ACI): www.aci-int.org
Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL): www.ccrl.us
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA): www.nrmca.org
Portland Cement Association (PCA): www.portcement.org
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