ASTM C1552-14a
(Practice)Standard Practice for Capping Concrete Masonry Units, Related Units and Masonry Prisms for Compression Testing
Standard Practice for Capping Concrete Masonry Units, Related Units and Masonry Prisms for Compression Testing
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice describes procedures for providing plane surfaces on the two bearing surfaces of units and prisms. The purpose of this standard is to provide consistent and standardized procedures for capping units and prisms for compression testing. The procedures are based on those contained (or previously contained) in Test Methods C140, Practice C617, and Test Method C1314.
Note 2: Specimens capped using this practice will vary significantly in size and weight. Appropriate care and handling may differ based on specimen size and weight. Provide care and handling as needed to provide for proper capping based on the physical characteristics of the specimen being capped.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers apparatus, materials, and procedures for capping concrete masonry units, related units, including coupons or other specimens obtained from such units, and masonry prisms for compression testing.
Note 1: The testing laboratory performing these test methods should be evaluated in accordance with Practice C1093.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: C1552 − 14a
StandardPractice for
Capping Concrete Masonry Units, Related Units and
Masonry Prisms for Compression Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1552; 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* 4. Significance and Use
1.1 This practice covers apparatus, materials, and proce- 4.1 This practice describes procedures for providing plane
dures for capping concrete masonry units, related units, includ- surfaces on the two bearing surfaces of units and prisms. The
ing coupons or other specimens obtained from such units, and purpose of this standard is to provide consistent and standard-
masonry prisms for compression testing. ized procedures for capping units and prisms for compression
NOTE 1—The testing laboratory performing these test methods should
testing. The procedures are based on those contained (or
be evaluated in accordance with Practice C1093.
previously contained) in Test Methods C140, Practice C617,
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded and Test Method C1314.
NOTE2—Specimenscappedusingthispracticewillvarysignificantlyin
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
size and weight. Appropriate care and handling may differ based on
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
specimen size and weight. Provide care and handling as needed to provide
and are not considered standard.
for proper capping based on the physical characteristics of the specimen
being capped.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5. Apparatus
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.1 Capping Plate—If used, the capping plate shall be made
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
of steel having a thickness of not less than 1 in. (25.4 mm), or
a polished plate of granite or diabase at least 3 in. (76 mm)
2. Referenced Documents
thick. The capping surface shall be plane within 0.002 in. in
12 in. (0.05 mm in 300 mm) and shall be free of gouges,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
grooves, and indentations greater than 0.010 in. (0.25 mm)
C140 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete
2 2
deep or greater than 0.05 in. (32 mm ) in surface area. At the
Masonry Units and Related Units
time of capping, the capping surface shall be level within ⁄16
C617 Practice for Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
in. (1.6 mm) over the length of the plate.
C1093 Practice for Accreditation of Testing Agencies for
5.1.1 Capping Wear Plate—If used, the capping wear plate
Masonry
shall be placed directly on top of the capping plate and shall
C1232 Terminology of Masonry
meet the requirements of 5.2.At the time of capping, the wear
C1314 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Masonry
plate surface shall be level within ⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) over the
Prisms
length of the plate. Do not use a capping wear plate with sulfur
capping materials.
3. Terminology
NOTE 3—A capping wear plate has been found to reduce the potential
3.1 Terminology defined in Terminology C1232 shall apply
of damage to the capping plate. The capping wear plate is typically more
for this practice.
resistant to scratches and can be replaced at less cost than that required to
resurface the capping plate. See Fig. 1 for a schematic of capping setup
when using gypsum cement materials.
5.2 Casting Plate—If used, the casting plate shall be of
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on Manufac-
transparent glass with a thickness of not less than ⁄2 in. (13
tured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C15.04 on
Research.
mm). The casting plate shall be plane within 0.002 in. in 12 in.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2014. Published December 2014. Originally
(0.05 mm in 300 mm).
approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C1552 – 14. DOI:
10.1520/C1552-14A.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 6. Materials
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.1 Capping Materials:
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 6.1.1 High Strength Gypsum Cement Capping Materials:
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1552 − 14a
FIG. 1 Gypsum Capping Schematic
6.1.1.1 In addition to the compressive strength testing re- material from the molds not more than 15 min prior to testing.
quired in 6.2, qualification tests shall be made to determine the Test cubes at an age of 2 h 6 10 min after completing the
effects of water-cement ratio and age on compressive strength. filling of the molds.
Procedures used for preparing the high strength gypsum 6.2.1 The strength of the capping material shall be deter-
cement capping materials shall ensure that water-cement ratios mined on receipt of a new lot and at intervals not exceeding
used for each batch provide the required strength. three months. If a given test of the capping material fails to
conform to the strength requirements, the package from which
NOTE 4—The water-gypsum cement ratio should typically be between
the material was sampled shall not be used unless two
0.26 and 0.30. Use of low water-gypsum cement ratios and vigorous
additional subsequent samples are taken from the same pack-
mixing will usually permit development of 3500 psi (24.1 MPa) at ages of
one or two hours. Higher water-gypsum cement ratios extend working
age and both of these subsequent samples conform to the
time, but reduce strength.
strength requirements. If the strength tests from an individual
6.1.1.2 Do not add fillers or extenders to the high strength package are inadequate, randomly obtain and test three addi-
gypsum cement. tional samples from the lot. These additional samples shall be
taken from separate packages, if available. Unless these three
NOTE 5—Retarders extend working time for capping materials but their
samplesconformtothestrengthrequirements,nopartofthelot
effects on required water-cement ratio should be determined prior to use.
shall be used.
NOTE 6—See Appendix X1 for more information on high-strength
gypsum capping materials and product recommendations.
7. Procedure
6.1.2 Sulfur Capping Materials:
6.1.2.1 Proprietary or laboratory prepared sulfur mixtures 7.1 Preparation of Specimens for Capping—Useanabrasive
shall contain 40 to 60 % sulfur by weight, the remainder being stone to remove loose protrusions from the surfaces of the
ground fire clay or other suitable inert material passing a No. specimens to be capped. Refer to the appropriate compression
100 (150-µm) sieve with or without a plasticizer. test method (Test Methods C140 or Test Method C1314) for
6.1.3 Use only capping materials identified in 6.1.1 and other specimen preparation requirements.
6.1.2. Do not use other capping materials.
7.2 Capping Test Specimens—Cap top and bottom bearing
surfaces of specimens by one of the methods in 7.2.1 or 7.2.2.
NOTE 7—Examples of materials that have been found to be unsuitable
for capping purposes include, but are not limited to: low-strength molding
Use alignment devices as needed to make sure the caps meet
plaster, plaster of paris, mixtures of plaster of paris and portland cement,
the requirements of 7.4.
and other cement-based materials.
NOTE 8—Various alignment devices have been demonstrated to be
6.2 Compressive Strength of Capping Materials—The com-
effective. For capping with sulfur materials, which sets quickly, alignment
pressive strength of the capping material shall be at least
jigs make sure that the specimen is placed on the capping plate correctly
3500 psi (24.1 MPa) at an age of 2 h. The cube molds and
in the first motion. For capping with gypsum cement materials, levels
placed across the top of specimen have proven to work well. Bullseye
methods of preparing and testing the cubes shall be in
levels work particularly well with smaller specimens.
accordance with Practice C617. The capping material shall be
placed in the cube at capping consistency. Store the filled 7.2.1 Capping Using Gypsum Cement Materials—See
molds in laboratory air. Remove cubes of sulfur material after Fig. 1 for capping setup. Spread the gypsum cement capping
solidification is complete and remove cubes of gypsum cement material evenly on the capping plate or capping wear plate that
C1552 − 14a
has been lightly coated with oil or sprayed with a TFE- 7.2.2.6 Form a rectangular mold on the capping plate whose
fluorocarbon coating (Note 9). Bring the surface of the speci- dimensions are approximately ⁄2 in. (13 mm) greater than the
mentobecappedintocontactwiththecappingmaterial;firmly overall dimensions of the specimen. The mold must be
press down the specimen with a single motion, holding it so sufficiently rigid to not move or deflect during the capping
that its axis is at right angles to the capping surface to comply operation, and large enough to accommodate the specimen to
with the requirements of 7.4. Do not disturb the specimen until be capped and the sulfur capping material without overflow.
the capping material has solidified. (See Note 11.) Fill the mold to a depth of ⁄4 in. (6 mm) with
7.2.1.1 Alternative Capping Method Using Gypsum Cement the hot sulfur compound. Bring the surface of the specimen to
be capped quickly into contact with the liquid, holding the
Materials—See Fig
...
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: C1552 − 14 C1552 − 14a
Standard Practice for
Capping Concrete Masonry Units, Related Units and
Masonry Prisms for Compression Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1552; 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*
1.1 This practice covers apparatus, materials, and procedures for capping concrete masonry units, related units, including
coupons or other specimens obtained from such units, and masonry prisms for compression testing.
NOTE 1—The testing laboratory performing these test methods should be evaluated in accordance with Practice C1093.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C140 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units
C617 Practice for Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
C1093 Practice for Accreditation of Testing Agencies for Masonry
C1232 Terminology of Masonry
C1314 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Masonry Prisms
3. Terminology
3.1 Terminology defined in Terminology C1232 shall apply for this practice.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This practice describes procedures for providing plane surfaces on the two bearing surfaces of units and prisms. The purpose
of this standard is to provide consistent and standardized procedures for capping units and prisms for compression testing. The
procedures are based on those contained (or previously contained) in Test Methods C140, Practice C617, and Test Method C1314.
NOTE 2—Specimens capped using this practice will vary significantly in size and weight. Appropriate care and handling may differ based on specimen
size and weight. Provide care and handling as needed to provide for proper capping based on the physical characteristics of the specimen being capped.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Capping Plate—If used, the capping plate shall be made of steel having a thickness of not less than 1 in. (25.4 mm), or a
polished plate of granite or diabase at least 3 in. (76 mm) thick. The capping surface shall be plane within 0.002 in. in 12 in.
(0.05 mm in 300 mm) and shall be free of gouges, grooves, and indentations greater than 0.010 in. (0.25 mm) deep or greater than
2 2
0.05 in. (32 mm ) in surface area. At the time of capping, the capping surface shall be level within ⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) over the length
of the plate.
5.1.1 Capping Wear Plate—If used, the capping wear plate shall be placed directly on top of the capping plate and shall meet
the requirements of 5.2. At the time of capping, the wear plate surface shall be level within ⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) over the length of
the plate. Do not use a capping wear plate with sulfur capping materials.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C15.04 on Research.
Current edition approved July 1, 2014Dec. 1, 2014. Published August 2014December 2014. Originally approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 20122014 as
C1552 – 12.C1552 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/C1552-14.10.1520/C1552-14A.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1552 − 14a
FIG. 1 Gypsum Capping Schematic
NOTE 3—A capping wear plate has been found to reduce the potential of damage to the capping plate. The capping wear plate is typically more resistant
to scratches and can be replaced at less cost than that required to resurface the capping plate. See Fig. 1 for a schematic of capping setup when using
gypsum cement materials.
5.2 Casting Plate—If used, the casting plate shall be of transparent glass with a thickness of not less than ⁄2 in. (13 mm). The
casting plate shall be plane within 0.002 in. in 12 in. (0.05 mm in 300 mm).
6. Materials
6.1 Capping Materials:
6.1.1 High Strength Gypsum Cement Capping Materials:
6.1.1.1 In addition to the compressive strength testing required in 6.2, qualification tests shall be made to determine the effects
of water-cement ratio and age on compressive strength. Procedures used for preparing the high strength gypsum cement capping
materials shall ensure that water-cement ratios used for each batch provide the required strength.
NOTE 4—The water-gypsum cement ratio should typically be between 0.26 and 0.30. Use of low water-gypsum cement ratios and vigorous mixing will
usually permit development of 3500 psi (24.1 MPa) at ages of one or two hours. Higher water-gypsum cement ratios extend working time, but reduce
strength.
6.1.1.2 Do not add fillers or extenders to the high strength gypsum cement.
NOTE 5—Retarders extend working time for capping materials but their effects on required water-cement ratio should be determined prior to use.
NOTE 6—See Appendix X1 for more information on high-strength gypsum capping materials and product recommendations.
6.1.2 Sulfur Capping Materials:
6.1.2.1 Proprietary or laboratory prepared sulfur mixtures shall contain 40 to 60 % sulfur by weight, the remainder being ground
fire clay or other suitable inert material passing a No. 100 (150-μm) sieve with or without a plasticizer.
6.1.3 Use only capping materials identified in 6.1.1 and 6.1.2. Do not use other capping materials.
NOTE 7—Examples of materials that have been found to be unsuitable for capping purposes include, but are not limited to: low-strength molding plaster,
plaster of paris, mixtures of plaster of paris and portland cement, and other cement-based materials.
6.2 Compressive Strength of Capping Materials—The compressive strength of the capping material shall be at least 3500 psi
(24.1 MPa) at an age of 2 h. The cube molds and methods of preparing and testing the cubes shall be in accordance with Practice
C617. The capping material shall be placed in the cube at capping consistency. Store the filled molds in laboratory air. Remove
cubes of sulfur material after solidification is complete and remove cubes of gypsum cement material from the molds not more
than 15 min prior to testing. Test cubes at an age of 2 h 6 10 min after completing the filling of the molds.
6.2.1 The strength of the capping material shall be determined on receipt of a new lot and at intervals not exceeding three
months. If a given test of the capping material fails to conform to the strength requirements, the package from which the material
was sampled shall not be used unless two additional subsequent samples are taken from the same package and both of these
subsequent samples conform to the strength requirements. If the strength tests from an individual package are inadequate,
randomly obtain and test three additional samples from the lot. These additional samples shall be taken from separate packages,
if available. Unless these three samples conform to the strength requirements, no part of the lot shall be used.
C1552 − 14a
7. Procedure
7.1 Preparation of Specimens for Capping—Use an abrasive stone to remove loose protrusions from the surfaces of the
specimens to be capped. Refer to the appropriate compression test method (Test Methods C140 or Test Method C1314) for other
specimen preparation requirements.
7.2 Capping Test Specimens—Cap top and bottom bearing surfaces of specimens by one of the methods in 7.2.1 or 7.2.2. Use
alignment devices as needed to make sure the caps meet the requirements of 7.4.
NOTE 8—Various alignment devices have been demonstrated to be effective. For capping with sulfur materials, which sets quickly, alignment jigs make
sure that the specimen is placed on the capping plate correctly in the first motion. For capping with gypsum cement materials, levels placed across the
top of specimen have proven to work well. Bullseye levels work particularly well with smaller specimens.
7.2.1 Capping Using Gypsum Cement Materials—See
Fig. 1 for capping setup. Spread the gypsum cement capping material evenly on the capping plate or capping wear plate that has
been lightly coated with oil or sprayed with a TFE-fluorocarbon coating (Note 9). Bring the surface of the specimen to be capped
into contact with the capping material; firmly press down the specimen with a single motion, holding it so that its axis is at right
angles to the capping surface to comply with the requirements of 7.4. Do not disturb the specimen until the capping material has
solidified.
7.2.1.1 Alternative Capping Method Using Gypsum Cement Materials—See Fig. 1 for capping setup. Spread the gypsum
cement capping material evenly on the top surface of the specimen. Bring the casting plate, which has been lightly coated with
oil or sprayed with TFE-fluorocarbon coating (Note 9), into contact with the capping paste; firmly press down the plate with a
single motion holding it so it is at right angles to the specimen. Within 30 s, lightly adjust the plate to achieve a resulting cap that
will comply with the requirements of 7.4. Do not further disturb the specimen or casting plate until the capping material has
solidified.
NOTE 9—The use of oil or TFE-fluorocarbon coatings on capping or casting plates is not necessary if it is found that the plate and specimen can be
separated without damaging the cap.
NOTE 10—Generally, specimens can be removed from capping or casting plates after 30 min without damaging the cap. However, the le
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.