ASTM C1552-02

Standard Practice for Capping Concrete Masonry Units, Related Units and Masonry Prisms for Compression Testing

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 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

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Dec-2002
• ICS: 91.080.30 - Masonry
• Technical Committee: C15 - Masonry – Manufactured Masonry Units, Mortars and Grouts
• Drafting Committee: C15.04 - Research for Masonry Units and Assemblies

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM C1552-03 - Standard Practice for Capping Concrete Masonry Units, Related Units and Masonry Prisms for Compression Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1093-23 - Standard Practice for Accreditation of Testing Agencies for Masonry
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C1314-23a - Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Masonry Prisms
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C1006/C1006M-20a - Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Masonry Units
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C140/C140M-23 - Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: C 1552 – 02
Standard Practice for
Capping Concrete Masonry Units, Related Units and
Masonry Prisms for Compression Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1552; 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.
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
testing. The procedures are based on those contained (or
NOTE 1—The testing laboratory performing these test methods should
previously contained) in Methods C 140, C 617, and C 1314.
be evaluated in accordance with Practice C 1093.
NOTE 2—Specimens capped using this practice will vary significantly
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
in size and weight. Appropriate care and handling may differ based on
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
specimen size and weight. Provide care and handling as needed to provide
information only.
for proper capping based on the physical characteristics of the specimen
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
being capped.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 5. Apparatus
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.1 Capping Plate—If used, the capping plate shall be of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
steel and have a thickness of not less than 1 in. (25.4 mm). The
capping surface shall be plane within 0.003 in. in 16 in. (0.075
2. Referenced Documents
mm in 400 mm) and shall be free of gouges, grooves, and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
indentations greater than 0.010 in. (0.25 mm) deep or greater
2 2
C 140 Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete Ma-
than 0.05 in. (32 mm ) in surface area. At the time of capping,
sonry Units and Related Units 1
the capping surface shall be level within ⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) over
C 472 Methods for Physical Testing of Gypsum, Gypsum
the length of the plate.
Plasters and Gypsum Concrete
NOTE 3—When using gypsum cement capping materials, the placement
C 617 Practice for Capping Cylindrical Concrete Speci-
of a single glass plate directly on top of the capping plate has been found
mens
to reduce the potential of damage to the capping plate. The glass plate is
C 1093 Practice for Accreditation of Testing Agencies for
typically more resistant to scratches and can be replaced at less cost than
Unit Masonry
that required to resurface the capping plate. The requirements for the
C 1209 Terminology of Concrete Masonry Units and Re-
casting plate in 5.2 have demonstrated to be sufficient for this purpose.
lated Units
5.2 Casting Plate—If used, the casting plate shall be of
C 1232 Terminology of Masonry
transparent glass with a thickness of not less than ⁄2 in. (13
C 1314 Method for Compressive Strength of Masonry
mm). The casting plate shall be plane within 0.003 in. in 16 in.
Prisms
(0.075 mm in 400 mm).
3. Terminology
6. Materials
3.1 Terminology defined in Terminology C 1209 and
6.1 Capping Materials:
C 1232 shall apply for this practice.
6.1.1 High-Strength Gypsum Cement Capping Materials:
6.1.1.1 In addition to the compressive strength testing re-
quired in 6.2, qualification tests shall be made to determine the
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on Manufac-
effects of water-cement ratio and age on compressive strength.
tured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C15.04 on
Research.
Current edition approved December 10, 2002. Published March 2003.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
C1552–02
Procedures used for preparing the high-strength gypsum ce- 7.2.1 Capping Using Gypsum Cement Materials—Spread
ment capping materials shall ensure that water-cement ratios the gypsum cement capping material evenly on the capping
used for each batch provide the required strength. plate (or casting plate if used) that has been lightly coated with
oil or sprayed with a TFE-fluorocarbon coating (Note 8). Bring
NOTE 4—The water-gypsum cement ratio should typically be between
the surface of the specimen to be capped into contact with the
0.26 and 0.30. Use of low water-gypsum cement ratios and vigorous
capping material; firmly press down the specimen with a single
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 motion, holding it so that its axis is at right angles to the
time, but reduce strength.
capping surface to comply with the requirements of 7.4. Do not
disturb the specimen until the capping material has solidified.
6.1.1.2 Do not add fillers or extenders to the high-strength
7.2.1.1 Alternative Capping Method Using Gypsum Cement
gypsum cement.
Materials—Spread the gypsum cement capping material
NOTE 5—Retarders extend working time for capping materials but their
evenly on the top surface of the specimen. Bring the casting
effects on required water-cement ratio should be determined prior to use.
plate, which has been lightly coated with oil or sprayed with
NOTE 6—The following two gypsum cements have successfully been
TFE-fluorocarbon coating (Note 8), into contact with the
used for this purpose: Hydrostoney and Hydrocaly white gypsum
capping paste; firmly press down the plate with a single motion
cement. Both are available from U.S. Gypsum Company.
holding it so it is at right angles to the specimen. Within 30 s,
6.1.2 Sulfur Capping Materials:
lightly adjust the plate to achieve a resulting cap that will
6.1.2.1 Proprietary or laboratory prepared sulfur mixtures
comply with the requirements of 7.4. Do not further disturb the
shall contain 40 to 60 % sulfur by weight, the remainder being
specimen or casting plate until the capping material has
ground fire clay or other suitable inert material passing a No.
solidified.
100 (150-μm) sieve with or without a plasticizer.
NOTE 8—The use of oil or TFE-fluorocarbon coatings on capping or
6.1.3 Unacceptable Plaster and Cement Based Capping
casting plates is not necessary if it is found that the plate and specimen
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