ASTM C90-00

Standard Specification for Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers hollow and solid (see 5.3 and 5.4) concrete masonry units made from portland cement, water, and mineral aggregates with or without the inclusion of other materials. There are three classes of concrete masonry units: (1) normal weight, (2) medium weight, and (3) lightweight. There are two types of concrete masonry units: (1) normal weight, (2) medium weight, and (3) lightweight. These units are suitable for both loadbearing and nonloadbearing applications.
1.2 Concrete masonry units covered by this specification are made from lightweight or normal weight aggregates, or both.
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
Note 1—When particular features are desired such as surface textures for appearance or bond, finish, color, or particular properties such as weight classification, higher compressive strength, fire resistance, thermal performance or acoustical performance, these features should be specified separately by the purchaser. Local suppliers should be consulted as to the availability of units having the desired features.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Feb-2002
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C15 - Masonry – Manufactured Masonry Units, Mortars and Grouts
• Drafting Committee: C15.03 - Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM C90-01 - Standard Specification for Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E2266-22 - Standard Guide for Design and Construction of Low-Rise Frame Building Wall Systems to Resist Water Intrusion
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C946-23 - Standard Practice for Construction of Dry-Stacked, Surface-Bonded Walls
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM F2956-22 - Standard Test Methods for Anchor Systems Used for Detention Hollow Metal Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C744-21 - Standard Specification for Prefaced Concrete and Calcium Silicate Masonry Units
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C140/C140M-23 - Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C1232-21a - Standard Terminology for Masonry
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C1780-23a - Standard Practice for Installation Methods for Cement-based Adhered Masonry Veneer
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C1492-22 - Standard Specification for Concrete Roof Tile
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C129-22 - Standard Specification for Nonloadbearing Concrete Masonry Units
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D7147-21 - Standard Specification for Testing and Establishing Allowable Loads of Joist Hangers
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C1283-15(2021) - Standard Practice for Installing Clay Flue Lining
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-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 90 – 00
Standard Specification for
Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 90; 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 * Natural Pozzolan for Use as a Mineral Admixture in
Concrete
1.1 This specification covers hollow and solid (see 5.3 and
C 989 Specification for Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace
5.4) concrete masonry units made from portland cement, water,
Slag for Use in Concrete and Mortars
and mineral aggregates with or without the inclusion of other
C 1157 Performance Specification for Blended Hydraulic
materials. There are three classes of concrete masonry units:
Cement
(1) normal weight, (2) medium weight, and (3) lightweight.
C 1209 Terminology of Concrete Masonry Units and Re-
These units are suitable for both loadbearing and nonloadbear-
lated Units
ing applications.
C 1232 Terminology of Masonry
1.2 Concrete masonry units covered by this specification are
C 1314 Test Method for Constructing and Testing Masonry
made from lightweight or normal weight aggregates, or both.
Prisms Used to Determine Compliance with Specified
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
Compressive Strength of Masonry
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
E 519 Test Method for Diagonal Tension (Shear) in Ma-
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
sonry Assemblages
as requirements of the standard.
E 72 Methods for Conducting Strength Tests of Panels for
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Building Construction
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
information only.
3. Terminology
NOTE 1—When particular features are desired such as surface textures
3.1 Terminology defined in Terminology C 1209 and Ter-
for appearance or bond, finish, color, or particular properties such as
minology C 1232 shall apply for this specification.
weight classification, higher compressive strength, fire resistance, thermal
performance or acoustical performance, these features should be specified
4. Materials
separately by the purchaser. Local suppliers should be consulted as to the
4.1 Cementitious Materials—Materials shall conform to the
availability of units having the desired features.
following applicable specifications:
2. Referenced Documents
4.1.1 Portland Cement— Specification C 150.
4.1.2 Modified Portland Cement—Portland cement con-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates forming to Specification C 150, modified as follows:
4.1.2.1 Limestone—Calcium carbonate, with a minimum
C 140 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete
85 % CaCO3 content, is permitted to be added to the cement,
Masonry Units and Related Units
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement provided these requirements of Specification C 150 as modi-
fied are met:
C 331 Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Con-
crete Masonry Units (1) Limitation on Insoluble Residue—1.5 %.
(2) Limitation on Air Content of Mortar—Volume percent,
C 426 Test Method for Drying Shrinkage of Concrete Ma-
sonry Units 22 % max.
(3) Limitation on Loss on Ignition—7 %.
C 595 Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
C 618 Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined 4.1.3 Blended Cements— Specification C 595 or Perfor-
mance Specification C 1157.
4.1.4 Pozzolans—Specification C 618.
4.1.5 Blast Furnace Slag Cement—Specification C 989.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on
Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
4.2 Aggregates—Aggregates shall conform to the following
C15.03 on Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units.
specifications, except that grading requirements shall not
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 2000. Published September 2000. Originally
necessarily apply:
published as C 90–31T. Last previous edition C 90–99a.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05.
4 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
*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.
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.
C90
capability has been established when tested in accordance with the
4.2.1 Normal Weight Aggregates—Specification C 33.
applicable provisions of Test Methods E 72, C 1314, E 519, or other
4.2.2 Lightweight Aggregates—Specification C 331.
applicable tests and the appropriate design criteria developed is in
4.3 Other Constituents—Air-entraining agents, coloring
accordance with applicable building codes.
pigments, integral water repellents, finely ground silica, and
5.4 Solid Units:
other constituents shall be previously established as suitable for
5.4.1 The net cross-sectional area of solid units in every
use in concrete masonry units and shall conform to applicable
plane parallel to the bearing surface shall be not less than 75 %
ASTM standards or shall be shown by test or experience not to
of the gross cross-sectional area measured in the same plane.
be detrimental to the durability of the concrete masonry units
5.5 End Flanges:
or any material customarily used in masonry construction.
5.5.1 For units having end flanges, the thickness of each
5. Physical Requirements flange shall not be less than the minimum face shell thickness.
5.1 At the time of delivery to the purchaser, units shall
NOTE 5—Flanges beveled at the ends for mortarless head joint appli-
conform to the physical requirements prescribed in Table 1 and
cations that will be filled with grout are exempt from this requirement.
Flanges which are specially shaped for mortarless head joint applications
Table 2.
which have been shown by testing or field experience to provide
NOTE 2—Higher compressive strengths than those listed in Table 2 may
equivalent performance are exempt from this requirement.
be specified where required by design. Consult with local suppliers to
determine availability of units of higher compressive strength.
6. Permissible Variations in Dimensions
5.2 At the time of delivery to the purchaser, the linear
6.1 Standard Units— For standard units, no overall dimen-
shrinkage of units shall not exceed 0.065 %. sion (width, height, and length) shall differ by more than
6 ⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) from the specified dimensions.
NOTE 3—The purchaser is the public body or authority, association,
6.2 Particular Feature Units—For particular feature units,
corporation, partnership, or individual entering into a contract or agree-
dimensions shall be in accordance with the following:
ment to purchase or install, or both, concrete masonry units. The time of
delivery to the purchaser is FOB plant when the purchaser or the 6.2.1 For molded face units, no overall dimension (width,
purchaser’s agent transports the concrete masonry units, or at the time
height, and length) shall differ by more than 6 ⁄8 in. (3.2 mm)
unloaded at the worksite if the manufacturer or the manufacturer’s agent
from the specified standard dimension. Dimensions of molded
transports the concrete masonry units.
features shall be within 6 ⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) of the specified
5.3 Hollow Units:
standard dimensions and shall be within 6 ⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) of
5.3.1 Face shell thickness (t ) and web thickness (t ) shall
the specified placement of the molded feature.
fs w
conform to the requirements prescribed in Table 1.
NOTE 6—Molded features include, but are not limited to: ribs, scores,
NOTE 4—Web thickness (t ) not conforming to the requirements hex-shapes, and patterns.
w
prescribed in Table 1 may be approved, provided equivalent structural
6.2.2 For split-faced units, all non-split overall dimensions
shall differ by not more than 6 ⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) from the
specified standard dimensions. On faces that are split, ov
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