ASTM C915-79(2018)

Standard Specification for Precast Reinforced Concrete Crib Wall Members

ABSTRACT
This specification covers open- and closed-face precast reinforced concrete crib wall members for earth-retaining structures or protection against stream encroachment. The concrete crib wall shall conform to the dimensions prescribed in this specification. Manufacturing materials shall include portland cement, aggregates, chemical admixtures, water, and steel reinforcement. Manufacturing shall conform to the procedures which include mixing, reinforcement-concrete placing, forming, curing, cleaning, oiling, and finishing. Compression tests shall be made on standard concrete cylinders and shall conform to the design strength indicated in this specification.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers open- and closed-face precast reinforced concrete crib walls intended to act as earth-retaining structures or as protection against stream encroachment.  
Note 1: This specification is a manufacturing and purchase specification only, with examples and suggestions for usage. Successful performance of this product depends on the proper selection and assembling of members, proper foundation and bearing material, and consideration of backfill heights, backfill material, drainage, and other engineering and construction considerations. The purchaser of the crib wall members specified herein is cautioned that he must properly correlate the field requirements with the members selected and provide adequate inspection at the construction site.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2018
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C27 - Precast Concrete Products
• Drafting Committee: C27.20 - Architectural and Structural Products

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C915-79(2010) - Standard Specification for Precast Reinforced Concrete Crib Wall Members
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2018
• Refers: ASTM C31/C31M-24a - Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM C94/C94M-24a - Standard Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM A370-24 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM C231/C231M-24 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM C173/C173M-24 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM C31/C31M-24 - Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM C94/C94M-24 - Standard Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM C39/C39M-23 - Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM C173/C173M-23 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Refers: ASTM C94/C94M-19 - Standard Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Refers: ASTM A370-19 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Refers: ASTM C309-19 - Standard Specification for Liquid Membrane-Forming Compounds for Curing Concrete
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2019
• Refers: ASTM C150/C150M-19 - Standard Specification for Portland Cement
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM C42/C42M-18 - Standard Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2018

Overview

ASTM C915-79(2018), Standard Specification for Precast Reinforced Concrete Crib Wall Members, provides the manufacturing and quality requirements for open- and closed-face precast reinforced concrete crib wall components. These crib wall members are primarily used in earth-retaining structures and as protection against stream encroachment. This standard ensures that crib wall members exhibit the necessary durability, strength, dimensional accuracy, and consistent construction quality for use in infrastructure and environmental applications.

Key Topics

• Material Specifications

  • Portland cement must comply with ASTM C150/C150M or ASTM C595/C595M.
  • Aggregates must meet ASTM C33/C33M or C330/C330M standards.
  • Admixtures must meet ASTM C260/C260M for air-entrainment and ASTM C494/C494M for chemical admixtures.
  • Steel reinforcement must comply with ASTM A615/A615M or equivalent withdrawn standards.

• Manufacturing Requirements

  • Precast members must conform to dimensional tolerances and reinforcement cover specifications.
  • Procedures include proper mixing, placement, curing, and finishing methods.
  • Quality control is maintained through compressive strength testing using standard concrete cylinders (ASTM C39/C39M) and, if necessary, core tests (ASTM C42/C42M).

• Design Considerations

  • The standard covers both open-face and closed-face crib wall designs for versatility in application.
  • Members must meet strict requirements for compressive strength (minimum at 28 days), air content, reinforcement placement, and concrete cover.

• Inspection and Acceptance

  • Purchasers are encouraged to correlate field requirements with the crib wall members’ properties.
  • Inspection at the manufacturing site and on delivered products ensures compliance.
  • Marking requirements include manufacturing date and concrete lot number for traceability.

Applications

Precast reinforced concrete crib wall members governed by ASTM C915 are widely used in both infrastructure and environmental projects, providing significant benefits such as ease of installation, structural integrity, and long-term durability. Key applications include:

• Earth-Retaining Structures
  These crib walls are suitable for highway embankments, bridge abutments, cut slopes, and railway corridors where soil stability and load-bearing are critical.

• Streambank and Shoreline Protection
  Closed-face and open-face crib wall members protect against erosion, stream encroachment, and flooding.

• Terracing and Landscaping
  Crib walls are effective in creating level terraces on sloped sites, offering both functional and aesthetic benefits for commercial and residential landscaping.

• Civil Engineering Projects
  Used in retaining walls, wing walls, and load-supporting barriers in public works, industrial, transportation, and utility projects.

By specifying dimensional tolerances, materials, manufacturing processes, and quality control, ASTM C915 ensures safe, durable, and reliable precast reinforced concrete crib wall members fit for these demanding uses.

Related Standards

• ASTM C33/C33M - Specification for Concrete Aggregates
• ASTM C39/C39M - Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
• ASTM C150/C150M - Specification for Portland Cement
• ASTM C595/C595M - Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
• ASTM C260/C260M - Specification for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete
• ASTM A615/A615M - Specification for Deformed and Plain Carbon-Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement
• ASTM C42/C42M - Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
• ASTM C494/C494M - Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete

Adhering to ASTM C915 and these referenced standards supports quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and performance consistency in the construction of precast reinforced concrete crib walls. This standard aligns with international best practices and the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) principles, facilitating global trade and interoperability in civil engineering materials.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C915 −79 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Specification for
Precast Reinforced Concrete Crib Wall Members
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C915; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Plain Bars for Concrete Reinforcement (Withdrawn
1999)
1.1 This specification covers open- and closed-face precast
C31/C31M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test
reinforced concrete crib walls intended to act as earth-retaining
Specimens in the Field
structures or as protection against stream encroachment.
C33/C33M Specification for Concrete Aggregates
NOTE 1—This specification is a manufacturing and purchase specifica-
C39/C39M Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylin-
tion only, with examples and suggestions for usage. Successful perfor-
drical Concrete Specimens
mance of this product depends on the proper selection and assembling of
C42/C42M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled
members, proper foundation and bearing material, and consideration of
Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
backfill heights, backfill material, drainage, and other engineering and
construction considerations. The purchaser of the crib wall members
C94/C94M Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete
specified herein is cautioned that he must properly correlate the field
C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement
requirements with the members selected and provide adequate inspection
C173/C173M Test Method forAir Content of Freshly Mixed
at the construction site.
Concrete by the Volumetric Method
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
C231/C231M Test Method forAir Content of Freshly Mixed
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
Concrete by the Pressure Method
information only.
C260/C260M Specification for Air-Entraining Admixtures
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
for Concrete
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
C309 Specification for Liquid Membrane-Forming Com-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
pounds for Curing Concrete
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
C330/C330M Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Structural Concrete
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
C494/C494M Specification for Chemical Admixtures for
Concrete
2. Referenced Documents
C595/C595M Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
C618 Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
of Steel Products
3. Classification
A615/A615M SpecificationforDeformedandPlainCarbon-
Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement
3.1 Cribbing manufactured in accordance with this specifi-
A616/A616M Specification for Rail-Steel Deformed and
cation shall be of open- or closed-face design and shall
Plain Bars for Concrete Reinforcement (Withdrawn
conform to the standard designs shown in Figs. 1-4.
1999)
4. Ordering Information
A617/A617M Specification for Axle-Steel Deformed and
4.1 Acceptability of the crib wall members in all cross
sections and lengths produced in accordance with Section 6
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C27 on Precast
shallbedeterminedbytheresultsofcylindercompressiontests
Concrete Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C27.20 on
Architectural and Structural Products.
of the placed concrete and mill certificates for the reinforcing
Current edition approved July 1, 2018. Published July 2018. Originally approved
steel and cement. A written statement, signed by the
in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as C915 – 79 (2010). DOI:
manufacturer, shall verify that the cement, aggregate,
10.1520/C0915-79R18.
admixtures, and reinforcing steel conform to the specifications
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
for materials in Section 5 and that the preparation of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
equipment, mixing, conveying, placing, consolidating, and
the ASTM website.
curing meet requirements of the applicable standard specifica-
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. tions. The concrete strength as determined by the cylinder
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C915 − 79 (2018)
NOTE 1—Surface drainage should not be permitted to flow directly against the face of the cribbing.
NOTE 2—Walls should be separated into 96-ft sections by the provision of double rows of headers.
NOTE 3—In using these typical sections for designing walls of intermediate height, the drawing should be read from the top down until the desired
height is reached. Base details are repeated for intermediate heights.
NOTE 4—In areas of aggressive environment, Type II cement or protective coatings, or both, may need to be used to avoid deterioration of the walls.
3 3
NOTE 5—Metric Conversion: 1 ft = 304.8 1 in. = 25.4 mm 1 lb = 0.453592 kg 1 ft = 0.028317 m
FIG. 1 Open-Faced Concrete Crib Wall
compression tests shall be as specified in 6.3, and the test 5.3 Admixtures—Air-entrainingadmixturesshallconformto
method shall conform to the requirements of Test Method
Specification C260/C260M. Chemical admixtures shall con-
C39/C39M. The manufacturer’s statement shall also certify
form to Specification C494/C494M. Fly ash or other pozzo-
adherence to tolerance dimensions of Section 9.
lanic admixtures shall conform to the requirements of Speci-
fication C618.
4.2 Acceptability of the concrete strength of completed
cribbing produced in accordance with Section 6 may also be
5.4 Water—Water used for curing, washing aggregates, and
determined by compressive tests of concrete cores in accor-
mixing concrete shall be free of oils, organic materials, and
dance with Test Method C42/C42M.
other substances that may be deleterious to concrete or steel; it
should not contain concentrations of chlorides in excess of
5. Materials
1000 ppm or sulfates in excess of 1000 ppm.
5.1 Cement—Portland cement shall conform to the require-
5.4.1 Ifwaterofhigherchloridecontentisusedbyreasonof
ments of Specification C150/C150M or shall be portland
nonavailability of water of recommended quality, the manu-
blast-furnace slag cement or portland-pozzolan cement con-
facturer must obtain approval from the user.
forming to the requirements of Specification C595/C595M.
5.2 Aggregates—Aggregates shall conform to Specification 5.5 Steel Reinforcement—Steel reinforcement shall consist
of bars conforming to Specifications A615/A615M, A616/
C33/C33M or C330/C330M. The nominal maximum size
aggregate shall not be greater than ⁄4 in. (19.0 mm). A616M,or A617/A617M.
C915 − 79 (2018)
NOTE 1—All reinforcing to be No. 3 bars placed 1 ⁄4 in. clear from surface of concrete.
NOTE 2—Bars to be held in position by chairs having noncorrosive tips.
NOTE 3—Blocks shall be set in cement-sand mortar (1 to 3).
NOTE 4—Backfilling should follow closely the erection of the successive tiers of units, and the wall should not be erected higher than 3 ft above the
backfilled portion at any time.
NOTE 5—Gravel, crushed stone, or other granular material meeting the users’ specifications may be used as backfill material. Rock may also be used,
but care should be used to avoid damaging or dislodging the crib units. Clay or material having a large percentage of clay is not to be used.
NOTE 6—Cribbing should be placed on a foundation of firm bearing material. This foundation should be at least 3 ft below the surface of the ground,
beyondalldangeroffrost,unlessonsolidrock.Ifthestretchersarelocateddirectlyaboverock,acushionofsandorgravelnotlessthan6in.thickshould
be provided.
NOTE 7—All headers are placed at 6 ft 0 in. center to center.
NOTE 8—Details of steps are similar to those shown on Fig. 4.
FIG. 2 Open-Faced Concrete Crib Wall
6. Design members, furnish a statement to the purchaser giving the
source and type of cement, the sources and specific gravities of
6.1 Precast concrete crib wall members shall conform to
theaggregates,theconcretemixproportions,type,amount,and
details and dimensions prescribed in Figs. 1-4, subject to
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