ASTM C140-99b
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units
Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the sampling and testing of concrete masonry units for dimensions, compressive strength, absorption, unit weight (density), and moisture content. Flexural load testing and ballast weight determination of concrete roof pavers are also covered.
Note 1—The testing laboratory performing these test methods should be evaluated in accordance with Practice C 1093.
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 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
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: C 140 – 99b
Standard Test Methods for
Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units and Related
Units
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 140; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope * ogy C 1232, and Terminology E 6 shall apply for these test
methods.
1.1 These test methods cover the sampling and testing of
concrete masonry units for dimensions, compressive strength,
4. Sampling
absorption, unit weight (density), and moisture content. Flex-
4.1 Selection of Test Specimens:
ural load testing and ballast weight determination of concrete
4.1.1 For purposes of test, full-size concrete masonry units
roof pavers are also covered.
shall be selected by the purchaser or authorized representative.
NOTE 1—The testing laboratory performing these test methods should
The selected specimens shall be of similar configuration and
be evaluated in accordance with Practice C 1093.
dimensions. Specimens shall be representative of the whole lot
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
of units from which they are selected. If test specimens are
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
selected at the work site, units for moisture content tests shall
information only.
be sampled upon delivery to the purchaser and placed in a
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sealed container until the received weight (W ) is determined in
r
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
accordance with 4.3.2.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1.2 The term “lot” refers to any number of concrete
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
masonry units of any configuration or dimension manufactured
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
by the producer using the same materials, concrete mix design,
manufacturing process, and curing method.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2 Number of Specimens:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2.1 For the compressive strength, absorption, unit weight
C 90 Specification for Loadbearing Concrete Masonry
(density), and moisture content determinations, six units shall
Units
be selected from each lot of 10 000 units or fraction thereof and
C 143 Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic Cement Con-
12 units from each lot of more than 10 000 and less than
crete
100 000 units. For lots of more than 100 000 units, six units
C 1093 Practice for Accreditation of Testing Agencies for
shall be selected from each 50 000 units or fraction thereof
Unit Masonry
contained in the lot. Additional specimens may be taken at the
C 1209 Terminology of Concrete Masonry Units and Re-
discretion of the purchaser.
lated Units
4.3 Identification:
C 1232 Terminology of Masonry
4.3.1 Mark each specimen so that it may be identified at any
E 4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
time. Markings shall cover not more than 5 % of the superficial
E 6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Test-
area of the specimen.
ing
4.3.2 Weigh units for moisture content tests immediately
after sampling and marking and record as W (received
r
3. Terminology
weight).
3.1 Terminology defined in Terminology C 1209, Terminol-
5. Measurement of Dimensions
5.1 Apparatus:
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-15 on
5.1.1 Measure overall dimensions with a steel scale having
Manufactured Masonry Units and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C15.03 on Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units.
divisions not greater than ⁄10-in. (2.5-mm). Face shell and web
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1999. Published October 1999. Originally
thicknesses shall be measured with a caliper rule having
published as C 140–38T. Last previous edition C 140–99a.
2 divisions not greater than ⁄100-in. (0.25-mm) and having
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C 140
strengths will typically increase with increased plate thickness and with
parallel jaws not less than ⁄2 in. (12.7 mm) nor more than 1 in.
reduced distance to the furthest corner of the specimen. Some testing
(25.4 mm) in length.
laboratories have limitations that limit the practicality of eliminating plate
5.2 Specimens—Three full-size units shall be measured for
bending entirely. Therefore the plate thickness requirements in 6.1 are
width, height, and length, and minimum thicknesses of face
intended to provide an adequate level of accuracy in the compression test
shells and webs.
results so as to conform to the limits of practicality of the testing
laboratory.
NOTE 2—The same specimens may be used in other tests.
NOTE 4—Annex A1 includes guidance on determining the required
5.3 Measurements:
plate thicknesses based on the configurations of the test specimen and the
5.3.1 For each unit, measure and record the width (W)
test machine.
across the top and bottom bearing surfaces at mid-length,
6.2 Test Specimens:
height (H) at mid-length of each face, and length (L)at
6.2.1 Of the six units sampled, three shall be tested in
mid-height of each face.
compression. After delivery to the laboratory, store (unstacked
5.3.2 For each unit, measure face shell thicknesses (t ) and
fs
and separated by not less than 0.5 in. (13 mm) on all sides)
web thicknesses (t ) at the thinnest point of each such element
w
continuously in air at a temperature of 75 6 15°F (24 6 8°C)
⁄2 in. (12.7 mm) down from the top surface of the unit as
and a relative humidity of less than 80 % for not less than 48
manufactured (typically the bottom surface of the unit as laid)
h. Alternatively, if compression results are required sooner,
and record to the nearest division of the scale or caliper. Where
store units unstacked in the same environment described above
the thinnest point of opposite face shells differ in thickness by
with a current of air from an electric fan passing over them for
less than ⁄8 in. (3.2 mm), average their measurements to
a period of not less than 4 h. Continued until two successive
determine the minimum face shell thickness for that unit.
weighings at intervals of 2 h show an increment of loss of not
Average the measurements of all of the webs in each unit to
greater than 0.2 % of the previous determined weight of the
determine the minimum web thickness for that unit. Exclude
specimen and until no moisture or dampness is visible on any
webs having a thickness less than 0.75 in. (19.1 mm) when
surface of the unit. Specimens shall not be subjected to
determining minimum web thickness. Disregard sash grooves,
oven-drying. Specimens shall be full sized units except as
dummy joints, and similar details in the measurements.
modified in 6.2.2 through 6.2.5.
6. Compressive Strength
NOTE 5—In this test method, net area (other than certain solid units, see
6.1 Test Apparatus—The testing machine shall have an
9.4) is determined from specimens other than those subjected to compres-
accuracy of 61.0 % over the anticipated load range. The upper sion testing. The compressive strength method is based on the assumption
that units used for determining net volume (absorption specimens) have
platen shall be a spherically seated, hardened metal block
the same net volume as units used for compression testing. Sampled split
firmly attached at the center of the upper head of the machine.
face units, which have irregular surfaces, should be divided at the time
The center of the sphere shall lie at the center of the surface
they are sampled from the lot, such that the absorption test specimens have
held in its spherical seat but shall be free to turn in any
a net volume that is visually representative and a weight that is
direction, and its perimeter shall have at least ¼ in. (6.3 mm)
representative of the compression test specimens.
clearance from the head to accommodate specimens whose
6.2.2 Unsupported projections having a length greater than
bearing surfaces are not parallel. The diameter of the upper
the thickness of the projection shall be removed by saw-
platen (determined in accordance with A1.3) shall be at least 6
cutting. For units with recessed webs, the face shell projecting
in. (150 mm). A hardened metal bearing plate may be used
above the web shall be removed by saw-cutting to provide a
beneath the specimen to minimize wear of the lower platen of
full bearing surface over the net cross section of the unit.
the machine.
Where the resulting unit height would be reduced by more than
6.1.1 When the bearing area of the upper platen or lower
one-third of the original unit height, the unit shall be coupon
platen is not sufficient to cover the area of the specimen, a
tested in accordance with 6.2.4.
single steel bearing plate with a thickness equal to at least the
distance from the edge of the platen to the most distant corner
of the specimen shall be placed between the platen and the
capped specimen. The length and width of the steel plate shall
be at least ¼ in. (6.3 mm) greater than the length and width of
the units.
6.1.2 The surfaces of the platen or plate intended for
contract with the specimen shall have a hardness not less than
HRC 60 (BHN 620). The surfaces of the platen and plate shall
not depart from plane surfaces by more than 0.001 in. (0.03
mm) in any 6–in. (150–mm) dimension.
NOTE 3—Research has shown that thickness of bearing plates has a
significant effect on the tested compressive strength of masonry units
when the bearing area of the platen is not sufficient to cover the area of the
specimen. Plate bending results in nonuniform stress distributions that can
influence the failure mechanisms of the tested specimens. The magnitude
of this effect is controlled by the stiffness of the plate, the size of the
FIG. 1 Compressive Strength Test Setup for Concrete Roof
specimen tested, and the strength of the specimen. Tested compressive Pavers
C 140
6.2.3 When compression testing full-sized units that are too 6.3.1 Cap bearing surfaces of units by one of the methods in
large for the test machine’s bearing block and platens or are 6.3.2 or 6.3.3.
6.3.2 Sulfur and Granular Materials—Spread evenly on a
beyond the load capacity of the test machine, saw-cut the units
to properly size them to conform to the capabilities of the nonabsorbent capping surface that has been lightly coated with
oil (Note 7) or sprayed with a TFE-fluorocarbon coating. Use
testing machine. The resulting specimen shall have no face
shell projections or irregular webs and shall be fully enclosed proprietary or laboratory prepared mixtures of 40 to 60 %
sulfur by weight, the remainder being ground fire clay or other
in a four-sided cell or cells. The compressive strength of the
segment shall be considered to be the compressive strength of suitable inert material passing a No. 100 (150-μm) sieve with
or without a plasticizer. Heat the sulfur mixture in a thermo-
the whole unit.
statically controlled heating pot to a temperature sufficient to
6.2.4 When compression testing units of unusual size and
maintain fluidity after contact with the capping surface. Take
shape (see Note 6), the specimens shall be sawed to remove
care to prevent overheating, and stir the liquid in the pot just
any face shell projections. The resulting specimen shall be a
before use. The capping surface shall be plane within 0.003 in.
cell or cells containing four sides that will ensure a 100 %
(0.08 mm) in 16 in. (406.4 mm) and shall be sufficiently rigid
bearing surface. Where saw-cutting will not result in an
and supported so as not to be measurably deflected during the
enclosed four-sided unit, the specimen shall be a coupon cut
capping operation. Place four 1-in. (25-mm) square steel bars
from a face shell of each unit. The coupon size shall have a
on the capping surface plate to form a rectangular mold
height to thickness ratio of 2 to 1 before capping and a length
approximately ⁄2 in. (12.7 mm) greater in either inside dimen-
to thickness ratio of 4 to 1. The thickness of the coupon shall
sion than the masonry unit. Fill the mold to a depth of ⁄4 in.
be as large as possible based on the configuration of the unit
(6.4 mm) with molten sulfur material. Bring the surface of the
and the capacities of the testing machine and shall not be less
unit to be capped quickly into contact with the liquid, and
than 1.25 in. (30 mm). The coupon shall be cut from the unit
insert the specimen, holding it so that its axis is at right angles
such that the coupon height dimension is in the same direction
to the surface of the capping liquid. Allow the unit to remain
as the unit height dimension. The compressive strength of the
undisturbed until solidification is complete. Allow the caps to
coupon shall be the net area compressive strength of the whole
cool for a minimum of 2 h before testing the specimens.
unit.
Patching of caps shall not be permitted. Remove imperfect
NOTE 6—Examples of units having unusual size or shape include, but
caps and replace with new ones.
are not limited to, bond beam units, open end units, and pilaster units.
NOTE 7—The use of oil on capping plates may be omitted if it is found
6.2.5 For concrete roof paver compressive strength tests, cut
that plate and unit can be separated without damaging the cap.
three test specimens from three whole paver units. Each
6.3.3 Gypsum Cement Capping—Spread evenly on a non-
specimen shall consist of a strip of paver with specimen height
absorbent capping surface that has been lightly coated with oil
equal to specimen width. Where a unit contains supporting
(Note 7) or sprayed with a TFE-fluorocarbon coating, a neat
ribs, obtain specimens by cutting perpendicular to the direction
paste of special high-strength gypsum cement (Note 8) and
of the ribs so as to avoid inclusion of bevelled or recessed
water. Such gypsum cement, when gaged with water at the
surfaces at top or bottom edges (see Fig. 1).
capping consistency, shall have a compressive strength at a 2-h
6.2.6 For segmental retaining wall unit compressive
age of not less than 3500 psi (24.1 MPa) when tested as 2-in.
strength tests, tested specimens shall be not less than 75 %
(50.8-mm) cubes. The casting surface plate shall conform to
solid and have
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.