prEN 196-19

• Abstract:

  This document describes the method for determining the contribution of cement’s alkali to the alkali-silica reaction process that can occur in concrete or mortar containing aggregates potentially susceptible to alkali attack.; The principle is to consider the alkalis from the insoluble part of the cement (generally associated with fly ash, for example, or pozzolans) and the alkali from the diluted part of the cement (generally associated with clinker, gypsum, granulated blast furnace slag, or limestone) [1].; This test method can be used in the framework of preventing the risk of alkali silica reaction [2].

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 28-Jun-2028
• ICS: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 51 - Cement and building limes
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 51/WG 15 - Revision of methods of testing cement
• Current Stage: 4020 - Submission to enquiry - Enquiry
• Start Date: 06-Aug-2026
• Due Date: 11-Feb-2027
• Completion Date: 06-Aug-2026
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 196-19:2026 - Methods of testing cement - Part 19: Determination of the contribution of cement's alkalis

Overview

prEN 196-19: Methods of Testing Cement – Part 19: Determination of the Contribution of Cement's Alkalis is a European draft standard developed by CEN/TC 51. The standard details a comprehensive procedure for evaluating the contribution of alkalis in cement to the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in concrete and mortar. ASR can cause deleterious expansion and cracking in concrete structures when alkalis in the cement react with susceptible aggregates. This testing method aims to enhance preventive measures and contribute to sustainable, durable construction by defining how to assess the alkali content that participates in the reaction.

Key Topics

• Cement Alkali Contribution: The method distinguishes between soluble alkalis (typically from clinker, gypsum, slag, or limestone) and insoluble alkalis (often from fly ash or pozzolans) in cement.
• Testing Procedure: The standard outlines the requirements for sample preparation, reagents, apparatus, and testing protocol, ensuring repeatability and reproducibility.
• Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR): Focuses on the relationship between cement alkalis and the potential for ASR in aggregates, which is a major concern in concrete durability.
• Reporting and Precision: Provides guidelines for test reporting, including detailed recording of results and deviations. Also specifies expected precision values for repeatability and reproducibility.

Applications

prEN 196-19 is particularly relevant for:

• Cement Manufacturers: Enables quality assurance through standardized testing of alkali content, ensuring the produced cement is suitable for use with potentially reactive aggregates.
• Concrete Producers: Helps in raw material selection and mix design to reduce ASR risk, supporting the production of more durable concrete.
• Construction and Engineering: Assists specifiers and designers in evaluating cement types for specific projects, especially where ASR-sensitive aggregates are used.
• Material Testing Laboratories: Provides a harmonized approach for laboratories to test cement alkali content as part of compliance or research activities.
• Regulatory Compliance: Facilitates compliance with national and European building regulations concerning concrete durability and cement composition.

Related Standards

To ensure robust testing and alignment, prEN 196-19 references and complements several other key standards:

• EN 196-2: Methods of testing cement – Part 2: Chemical analysis of cement: Used for determining total alkali content and for chemical analysis required in this test.
• EN 196-7: Methods for sampling and sample preparation of common cement and its constituents: Specifies the process for obtaining test samples.
• CEN/TS 196-4: Provides methods for determining cement components other than clinker and gypsum.
• FD P18-464 (AFNOR): French technical documentation on alkali-silica reaction prevention, supportive for international best practices.

Practical Value

By clearly defining a standardized method for determining cement alkali contribution, prEN 196-19:

• Reduces the risk of premature concrete deterioration caused by ASR.
• Assists stakeholders in making informed decisions regarding material selection and construction practices.
• Promotes harmonization across European markets, supporting both local and international projects.
• Helps achieve long-term durability and sustainability targets in construction.

In summary, prEN 196-19 is a vital reference for the testing and control of alkali content in cement, serving manufacturers, laboratories, and construction professionals concerned with concrete performance and longevity.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2026
Metode preskušanja cementa - 19. del: Določanje vpliva alkalij v cementu
Methods of testing cement - Part 19: Determination of the contribution of cement's alkalis
Prüfverfahren für Zement - Teil 19: Bestimmung des Beitrags der Alkalien im Zement
Méthodes d'essais des ciments - Partie 19 : Détermination de la contribution des alcalins
du ciment
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 196-19
ICS:
91.100.10 Cement. Mavec. Apno. Malta Cement. Gypsum. Lime.
Mortar
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
August 2026
ICS 91.100.10
English Version
Methods of testing cement - Part 19: Determination of the
contribution of cement's alkalis
Méthodes d'essais des ciments - Partie 19 : Prüfverfahren für Zement - Teil 19: Bestimmung des
Détermination de la contribution des alcalins du Beitrags der Alkalien im Zement
ciment
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 51.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 196-19:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 General requirements for testing . 4
4.1 Number of tests . 4
4.2 Repeatability and reproducibility . 5
4.3 Expression of masses, volumes, factors and results. 5
5 Reagents . 5
5.1 General. 5
5.2 Apparatus . 5
5.2.1 Balance(s), capable of weighing to an accuracy of ± 0,0001 g. . 5
5.2.2 Crucibles. 5
5.2.3 Electric furnaces(s), naturally ventilated and capable of being set at the following
temperatures: (1000 ± 25) °C. . 5
5.2.4 Volumetric glassware . 5
5.2.5 Magnetic Stirrer and stirrer bar, e.g. magnetic stirrer bar, with inert, e.g. PTFE, covered bar.
............................................................................................................................................................................... 6
5.2.6 Ashless filter papers . 6
5.2.7 Desiccator(s), containing anhydrous magnesium perchlorate (Mg(ClO ) ) or silica gel. . 6
4 2
5.3 Preparation of a test sample of cement . 6
6 Determination of the active alkali content . 6
6.1 Principle [1] . 6
6.2 Procedure . 7
6.2.1 Total alkali content (At) . 7
6.2.2 Soluble alkali content (As) . 7
6.2.3 Insoluble residue content after the acid attack (R ) . 7
ins
6.2.4 Calculation of the active alkali content . 7
6.3 Test report . 8
6.4 Precision . 8
6.4.1 Repeatability . 8
6.4.2 Reproducibility . 8
Bibliography . 9

European foreword
This document (prEN 196-19:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 51 Cement and
building limes”, the secretariat of which is held by NBN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
1 Scope
This document describes the method for determining the contribution of cement’s alkali to the alkali-
silica reaction process that can occur in concrete or mortar containing aggregates potentially susceptible
to alkali attack.
The principle is to consider the alkalis from the insoluble part of the cement (generally associated with
fly ash, for example, or pozzolans) and the alkali from the diluted part of the cement (generally associated
with clinker, gypsum, granulated blast furnace slag, or limestone) [1].
This test method can be used in the framework of preventing the risk of alkali silica reaction [2].
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 196-2, Methods of testing cement — Part 2: Chemical analysis of cement
EN 196-7, Methods for sampling and sample preparation of common cement and its constituents
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
sodium oxide equivalent content (Na O )
2 eq
sum of the sodium oxide mass content (Na O) and the potassium oxide mass c
...