ASTM C896-24

Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2024
• ICS: 01.040.91 - Construction materials and building (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: C04 - Vitrified Clay Pipe
• Drafting Committee: C04.10 - Editorial

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C896-22 - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C828-23 - Standard Test Method for Low-Pressure Air Test of Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C425-22 - Standard Specification for Compression Joints for Vitrified Clay Pipe and Fittings
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C159-06(2021) - Standard Specification for Vitrified Clay Filter Blocks
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM E2266-22 - Standard Guide for Design and Construction of Low-Rise Frame Building Wall Systems to Resist Water Intrusion
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C1208/C1208M-18(2022) - Standard Specification for Vitrified Clay Pipe and Joints for Use in Microtunneling, Sliplining, Pipe Bursting, and Tunnels
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C1091-03a(2022) - Standard Test Method for Hydrostatic Infiltration Testing of Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C4-04(2023) - Standard Specification for Clay Drain Tile and Perforated Clay Drain Tile
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C700-18(2022) - Standard Specification for Vitrified Clay Pipe, Extra Strength, Standard Strength, and Perforated
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C301-18(2022) - Standard Test Methods for Vitrified Clay Pipe
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C1283-15(2021) - Standard Practice for Installing Clay Flue Lining
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C315-07(2021) - Standard Specification for Clay Flue Liners and Chimney Pots
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C12-22a - Standard Practice for Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024

Overview

ASTM C896-24: Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products is a terminology reference developed by ASTM International. This standard provides definitions and explanations for essential terms used throughout standards and specifications in the clay products industry. By establishing a common language for professionals and stakeholders, ASTM C896-24 enhances communication and understanding in the production, testing, installation, and inspection of clay products, particularly vitrified clay pipes and fittings.

The terminology standard is maintained by ASTM Committee C04 on Vitrified Clay Pipe, ensuring regular updates and relevance to current industry practices. It is an essential resource for those working with clay products in construction, engineering, manufacturing, and regulatory roles.

Key Topics

ASTM C896-24 covers a wide range of essential terms and their definitions, focusing on areas critical to the use and specification of clay products:

• Clay Product Types: Terms such as "vitrified clay pipe," "filter block," "fire clay," and "flue lining."
• Pipe Components and Fittings: Definitions for "bell," "barrel," "spigot," "coupling," "socket," and "mitered fittings."
• Installation and Bedding: Clarifies "backfill," "bedding," "trench foundation," "haunch," and "haunching" methods.
• Testing and Inspection: Key testing terms like "sample," "specimen," "test specimen," "segmental testing," and "segmented testing."
• Physical Properties and Defects: Identifies concepts such as "bearing strength," "blister," "chip," "crack," and "lamination."
• Terminology on System and Site Conditions: Includes "deadload," "live load," "encasement," "filter block," "maintenance hole," "drains," and "migration."
• Measurement Units and Methods: Standardizes terminology for measurement, e.g., "inch-pound units," "constant weight," "compaction," and "consolidation."

These terms support consistency in design processes, technical documentation, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and site operations related to clay products.

Applications

The ASTM C896-24 terminology standard is widely used across different industry sectors:

• Manufacturers of clay products consult the standard for consistent labeling, product literature, and quality control.
• Design engineers and specifying agencies reference defined terms in project specifications, contract documents, and regulatory filings.
• Contractors and installers use the terminology to ensure clarity in installation procedures, bedding and backfill requirements, and site preparation processes.
• Inspectors and quality control professionals apply the definitions during field inspections, testing, and documentation reviews.
• Regulatory authorities rely on standardized terms for enforcement of building codes and infrastructure guidelines.
• Educators and trainers use these definitions for teaching best practices in material science, civil engineering, and construction management.

By standardizing the language, ASTM C896-24 minimizes misinterpretations, supports international project teams, and aids in the consistent application of related technical standards.

Related Standards

ASTM C896-24 is closely related to a variety of ASTM standards, particularly those addressing clay pipe products and testing methods. Key referenced documents include:

• ASTM C301 - Test Methods for Vitrified Clay Pipe
• ASTM C700 - Specification for Vitrified Clay Pipe, Extra Strength, Standard Strength, and Perforated

These related standards rely on the definitions in ASTM C896-24 to ensure clarity and uniformity in their own requirements. Consulting the appropriate terminology reference before applying technical standards ensures correct interpretation and implementation.

For the latest updates and full documentation, visit the ASTM International website.

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: C896 − 24
Standard Terminology Relating to
Clay Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C896; 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. Referenced Documents bedding—the materials, their placement, consolidation, and
2 configuration, as designed to support, and to develop field
1.1 ASTM Standards:
supporting strength of vitrified clay pipe.
C301 Test Methods for Vitrified Clay Pipe
C700 Specification for Vitrified Clay Pipe, Extra Strength,
bell—the flared-end portion of a vitrified clay pipe or fitting,
Standard Strength, and Perforated
designed to function in the joining of other such pipe.
bell hole—excavated area under the bell or coupling that
2. Terminology
prevents the bell or coupling from resting on the trench
angular joint deflection—the amount of deviation from a
bottom.
straight line that results when a pipe joint connection is
beveled pipe—a pipe with an end angled to mate with a
displaced axially. Angular joint deflection values can be
complimentary pipe end or adjust to another surface.
expressed as an angle or distance measured in inches per foot
(mm per meter) of pipe length from straight alignment.
blister—a convex, raised area on the pipe surface indicating an
approving authority—the individual official, board, internal separation.
department, or agency established and authorized by a state,
body—See pipe body.
county, city, or other political subdivision, created by law to
boulder—a particle of rock that will not pass a 12-in.
administer and enforce specified requirements.
(305-mm) square opening.
backfill—all the material used to fill the trench from bedding
chip—a small piece of broken-off material, or the location
to finished surface.
where a small piece of the unit material has been broken off.
backfill, final—material used to fill the trench from initial
clay—an earthy or stony mineral aggregate consisting essen-
backfill to finished surface.
tially of hydrous silicates of alumina, plastic when suffi-
backfill, initial—material used to fill the trench from top of
ciently pulverized and wetted, rigid when dry, and vitreous
bedding to a designated height over the pipe.
when fired to a sufficiently high temperature.
backfill, unconsolidated—non-compacted material in place in
closure—See compression joint.
the trench.
cobble—a particle of rock that will pass a 12-in. (305-mm)
square opening and be retained on a 3-in. (76-mm) U.S.
barrel—the cylindrical portion of a vitrified clay pipe exclu-
standard sieve.
sive of branches, spurs, joints, and handling rings or lugs.
compaction—densification of soil by means of mechanical
bearing strength—the non-destructive limit of pipe load, as
manipulation.
determined by 3-edge bearing test method, used to determine
field supporting strength.
compression coupling—See compression joint.
compression disk—a disk of compressible material placed
between the ends of adjacent pipe for the purpose of
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C04 on
distributing the jacking force.
Vitrified Clay Pipe and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C04.10 on
Editorial.
compression joint—a joint designed so that a sealing action is
Current edition approved April 1, 2024. Published April 2024. Originally
obtained by compressing elastomeric components.
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as C896 – 22. DOI:
10.1520/C0896-24.
conduit—a pipe for conveying fluid.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
consolidation—the gradual reduction in volume of backfill
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. matter to achieve stability.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C896 − 24
constant weight—the condition of a substance in which all haunch—the areas bordered by the barrel outside diameter, the
volatile components have been vaporized, and repeated vertical tangents from the pipe springline and the horizontal
exposure to a specified temperature, for any period of time, tangents from the bottom of the pipe. See detail:
causes no change in weight.
controlled low strength material (CLSM)—flowable low
compressive strength cementitious material used in the pipe
zone as a bedding material. Also referred to as controlled
density fill, flowable fill, slurry, or lean concrete.
coupling—a device, typically made of an elastomer, used to
connect clay pipe barrels. These devices are typically used in
conjunction with stainless steel tightening bands.
coupling hole—See bell hole.
crack—an irregular separation with well-defined sharp edges
visible on the surface of a pipe.
deadload—the load imposed on pipe, that is determined by
depth and width of the trench at top of pipe, as well as unit
haunching—utilizing a shovel, spade, or other suitable tool to
weight and character of backfill material.
place and consolidate the bedding material in the haunch to
(1) ensure the pipe will remain true to line and grade and (2)
drains—a piping system used to collect and carry off surface
provide uniform circumferential support to the pipe, which is
and ground water.
essential for the total load factor to be realized.
encasement—special materials, their placement and configu-
hot face—the interior surface of a chimney that is exposed to
ration which are designed to fully surround the pipe, and
the elevated temperatures of the flue gasses.
develop a field supporting strength which exceeds that
developed by other commonly used installation and bedding
inch-pound units—the units of length, area, volume, weight,
techniques.
and temperature in common use in the United States at the
present time. These include, but are not limited to: (1)
exfiltration—the quality of water leaving the test section
length—feet, inches, and fractional inches, (2) area—square
during a specified time period.
feet and square inches, (3) volume—cubic feet, cubic inches,
face—to cover with a new surface.
gallons, and ounces, (4) weight—pounds and ounces, and (5)
temperature—degrees Fahrenheit.
filter block—a cellular vitrified clay block unit, of proprietary
configuration, designed to underbed the media in trickling
industrial waste—the water-conveyed residues resulting from
filters.
manufacturing or processing operations.
fire clay—a sedimentary clay of low-flux content.
infiltration—the quality of ground water entering the test
fitting—products such as wyes, tees, elbows, adapters, etc.
section during a specified time period.
used in the installation of vitrified clay pipelines.
initial backfill—location for placement of selected material,
flooding—a means of compacting trench backfill by the
native or import, extending from the top of the bedding
introduction of water by gravity.
material to an elevation 1 ft above top of pipe.
flue lining—a manufactured tubul
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C896 − 22 C896 − 24
Standard Terminology Relating to
Clay Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C896; 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. Referenced Documents
1.1 ASTM Standards:
C301 Test Methods for Vitrified Clay Pipe
C700 Specification for Vitrified Clay Pipe, Extra Strength, Standard Strength, and Perforated
2. Terminology
angular joint deflection—the amount of deviation from a straight line that results when a pipe joint connection is displaced
axially. Angular joint deflection values can be expressed as an angle or distance measured in inches per foot (mm per meter)
of pipe length from straight alignment.
approving authority—the individual official, board, department, or agency established and authorized by a state, county, city,
or other political subdivision, created by law to administer and enforce specified requirements.
backfill—all the material used to fill the trench from bedding to finished surface.
backfill, final—material used to fill the trench from initial backfill to finished surface.
backfill, initial—material used to fill the trench from top of bedding to a designated height over the pipe.
backfill, unconsolidated—non-compacted material in place in the trench.
barrel—the cylindrical portion of a vitrified clay pipe exclusive of branches, spurs, joints, and handling rings or lugs.
bearing strength—the non-destructive limit of pipe load, as determined by 3-edge bearing test method, used to determine field
supporting strength.
bedding—the materials, their placement, consolidation, and configuration, as designed to support, and to develop field
supporting strength of vitrified clay pipe.
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C04 on Vitrified Clay Pipe and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C04.10 on Editorial.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2022April 1, 2024. Published December 2022April 2024. Originally approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 20212022 as
C896 – 21a.C896 – 22. DOI: 10.1520/C0896-22.10.1520/C0896-24.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C896 − 24
bell—the flared-end portion of a vitrified clay pipe or fitting, designed to function in the joining of other such pipe.
bell or coupling hole—excavated area under the bell or coupling that prevents the bell or coupling from resting on the trench
bottom.
beveled pipe—a pipe with an end angled to mate with a complimentary pipe end or adjust to another surface.
blister—a convex, raised area on the pipe surface indicating an internal separation.
body—See pipe body.
boulder—a particle of rock that will not pass a 12-in. (305-mm) square opening.
chip—a small piece of broken-off material, or the location where a small piece of the unit material has been broken off.
clay—an earthy or stony mineral aggregate consisting essentially of hydrous silicates of alumina, plastic when sufficiently
pulverized and wetted, rigid when dry, and vitreous when fired to a sufficiently high temperature.
closure—See compression joint.
cobble—a particle of rock that will pass a 12-in. (305-mm) square opening and be retained on a 3-in. (76-mm) U.S. standard
sieve.
compaction—densification of soil by means of mechanical manipulation.
compression coupling—See compression joint.
compression disk—a disk of compressible material placed between the ends of adjacent pipe for the purpose of distributing the
jacking force.
compression joint—a joint designed so that a sealing action is obtained by compressing elastomeric components.
conduit—a pipe for conveying fluid.
consolidation—the gradual reduction in volume of backfill matter to achieve stability.
constant weight—the condition of a substance in which all volatile components have been vaporized, and repeated exposure
to a specified temperature, for any period of time, causes no change in weight.
controlled low strength material (CLSM)—flowable low compressive strength cementitious material used in the pipe zone as
a bedding material. Also referred to as controlled density fill, flowable fill, slurry, or lean concrete.
coupling—a device, typically made of an elastomer, used to connect clay pipe barrels. These devices are typically used in
conjunction with stainless steel tightening bands.
coupling hole—See bell hole.
crack—an irregular separation with well-defined sharp edges visible on the surface of a pipe.
C896 − 24
deadload—the load imposed on pipe, that is determined by depth and width of the trench at top of pipe, as well as unit weight
and character of backfill material.
drains—a piping system used to collect and carry off surface and ground water.
encasement—special materials, their placement and configuration which are designed to fully surround the pipe, and develop
a field supporting strength which exceeds that developed by other commonly used installation and bedding techniques.
exfiltration—the quality of water leaving the test section during a specified time period.
face—to cover with a new surface.
filter block—a cellular vitrified clay block unit, of proprietary configuration, designed to underbed the media in trickling filters.
fire clay—a sedimentary clay of low-flux content.
fitting—products such as wyes, tees, elbows, adapters, etc. used in the installation of vitrified clay pipelines.
flooding—a means of compacting trench backfill by the introduction of water by gravity.
flue lining—a manufactured tubular non-load bearing fired clay unit, normally used for conveying hot gases in chimneys.
foundation—the native or prepared trench bottom on which the bedding is placed.
fracture—that portion of a vitrified clay pipe from which a fragment has been broken. It is distinguished by well-defined
fracture faces and sharp edges where the fracture faces meet the surface of the pipe.
glaze—a hard glassy fused coating.
C896 − 24
haunch—the areas bordered by the barrel outside diameter, the vertical tangents from the pipe springline and the horizontal
tangents from the bottom of the pipe. See detail:
haunching—utilizing a shovel, spade, or other suitable tool to place and consolidate the bedding material in the haunch to (1)
ensure the pipe will remain true to line and grade and (2) provide uniform circumferential support to the pipe, which is essential
for the total load factor to be realized.
hot face—the interior surface of a chimney that is exposed to the elevated temperatures of the flue gasses.
inch-pound units—the units of length, area, volume, weight, and temperature in common use in the United States at the present
time. These include, but are not limited to: (1) length—feet, inches, and fractional inches, (2) a
...