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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:09 am
by adedudeman
I've just started to come across the 'new' EN specs for aggregates, and have been trying to get my head round how they compare. Two questions, really.
First, would it be possible to include the new EN specs in the Aggregates page?
Secondly, I'm trying to identify what grit sand is in EN. I've been told that 0/2 is a grit sand, and so is 0/4, so I guess one is, um, grittier than the other! Which is more suitable as a grit sand for patio paving bedding? Also, a description I often come across is 'holm sand', which is described both as 'building sand' and 'sharp sand', whereas on the Aggregates page here 'building sand' is equated with soft sand. So I'm not sure what to get! Help!
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:07 pm
by Tony McC
I have a new page for the EN classes on my ever-growing "To Do" list. It's relatively straightforward, though, so I might be able to get that done in a couple or three hours one evening.
0/4 is grittier than 0/2 - 0/4 is 0 to 4mm grains, while 0/2 is, you've guessed it, 0 to 2 mm grains.
Not sure about 'Holm sand' - sounds as though it could be a local term. Whereabouts are you?
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:16 pm
by moot de noo
Ohhhhh dear....
How long you got for an EN's explanation?
Basically (at least regards sand) its this:
there are two types of sand - 0/4 and 0/2
These can come in a variety of flavours
0/4 CP, 0/4 MP or 0/4 FP
and
0/2 MP and 0/2 FP
the "0/4" bit refers, as Tony said, to the maximum nominal aggregate size - i.e. particles ranging from 0 - 4mm. The "CP", "MP" or "FP" bit refers to how fine or coarse a sand is - Coarse, Medium or Fine. Here's where it can get complicated - the CP, MP,or FP is classified depending how much material passes a 500micron sieve......zzzzzzz
ANYWAY - sorry if anyone fell asleep there, these grades equate roughly to the old Type C,M or F concreteing sands and as such the quarries making them haven't changed what they make - just how the material is described.
So... if you used to by "type M sharp washed sand" - this will now be known as "EN 12620 0/4 MP concrete sand washed"
Thank you Europe!!!!!
Phew ???
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:53 am
by adedudeman
Wow! I feel, um, enlightened. Or something. Sorry for the delay in responding by the way, Tony, I have been off this week doing our patio! It's taking a bit longer than expected, but we're getting there. We're doing Indian sandstone, and boy, our stones are thicker than I expected - minimum 20mm, up to 50mm so far... I'm glad we pay by the square metre! We laid about 7 1/2 square metres yesterday, still 13 to go...
Anyway, in answer to your question, I live in Bristol.
Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 11:33 am
by Tony McC
Reading about the new EN classification a few months back, it struck me that it was just another great big steaming pile of shite in the same way that the re-classification of concrete was back in 2003. It's still the same sand (or concrete) but some twonk bureaucrat who wouldn't know which end of a shovel to hold has found a way of justifying their salary by coming up with an overly complicated and totally unnecessary system of classification that no-one but themselves understands and is going to cost a fortune in having text books, specifications, contrracts and all sorts of other paperwork re-printed ... and guess who's going to pay for that?
Will it make the sand (or concrete) any better? Will it save us any money? Does it simplify anyone's life? Will it lead to better pavements or buildings? Does it improve our industry? Fuzzit duck! 
