ASTM C34-23

Standard Specification for Structural Clay Loadbearing Wall Tile

ABSTRACT
This specification covers structural clay loading-bearing wall tiles of the following grades: Grade LBX, suitable for general use in masonry construction and adapted for use in masonry exposed to weathering; and Grade LB, suitable for general use in masonry where not exposed to frost action, or for use in exposed masonry where protected with a facing of stone, brick, terra cotta, or other masonry. Tile covered by this specification are manufactured from clay, shale, or similar naturally occurring substances and subjected to heat treatment at elevated temperatures (firing), which must develop sufficient fired bond between the particulate constituents to provide the strength and durability requirements. Tiles shall adhere to water absorption, compressive strength, and dimensional (nominal thickness and mass) requirements specified for individual grades.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers structural clay loadbearing wall tile.  
1.2 The property requirements of this specification apply at the time of purchase. The use of results from testing of tile extracted from masonry structures for determining conformance or non-conformance to the property requirements (Section 5) of this standard is beyond the scope of this specification.  
1.3 Tile covered by this specification are manufactured from clay, shale, or similar naturally occurring earthy substances and subjected to a heat treatment at elevated temperatures (firing). The heat treatment must develop sufficient fired bond between the particulate constituents to provide the strength and durability requirements of this specification. (See firing and fired bond in Terminology C1232.)  
1.4 The text of this specification 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.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2023
• ICS: 81.080 - Refractories
• Technical Committee: C15 - Manufactured Masonry Units
• Drafting Committee: C15.02 - Brick and Structural Clay Tile

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: C34 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Structural Clay Loadbearing Wall Tile
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C34; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This specification covers structural clay loadbearing
C67/C67M Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick
wall tile.
and Structural Clay Tile
1.2 The property requirements of this specification apply at
C216 Specification for Facing Brick (Solid Masonry Units
the time of purchase. The use of results from testing of tile
Made from Clay or Shale)
extracted from masonry structures for determining confor-
C1232 Terminology for Masonry
mance or non-conformance to the property requirements (Sec-
tion 5) of this standard is beyond the scope of this specification.
3. Terminology
1.3 Tile covered by this specification are manufactured from
3.1 Definitions—For definitions relating to structural clay
clay, shale, or similar naturally occurring earthy substances and
loadbearing wall tile, refer to Terminology C1232.
subjected to a heat treatment at elevated temperatures (firing).
The heat treatment must develop sufficient fired bond between
4. Classification
the particulate constituents to provide the strength and dura-
4.1 Two grades of tile are covered, as follows:
bility requirements of this specification. (See firing and fired
4.1.1 Grade LBX—Suitable for general use in masonry
bond in Terminology C1232.)
construction and adapted for use in masonry exposed to
weathering, provided they meet the durability requirements for
1.4 The text of this specification references notes and
Grade SW of Specification C216.
footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and
4.1.2 Grade LB—Suitable for general use in masonry where
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
not exposed to frost action, or for use in exposed masonry
considered as requirements of the standard.
where protected with a facing of 3 in. (76.2 mm) or more of
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
stone, brick, terra cotta, or other masonry.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
NOTE 1—Color of tile varies with the type of clay used and degree of
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
firing; hence, it cannot be taken as indicative of classification until after it
and are not considered standard.
has been related to absorption and strength by actual tests.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
5. Physical Properties
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.1 Tile, when test in accordance with Test Methods C67/
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
C67M, shall conform to the physical properties for the grade
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
specified as prescribed in Table 1.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.2 Tile of Grade LBX shall be accepted under all condi-
tions instead of Grade LB.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on
Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
2
C15.02 on Brick and Structural Clay Tile. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C34 – 17. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C0034-23. 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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C34 − 23
TABLE 1 Physical Properties
B
Maximum Water Minimum Compressive Strength (Based on Gross Area), psi (MPa)
A
Absorption by 1-h Boiling, % End Construction Tile Side Construction Tile
Grade
Average of Average of Average of
Individual Individual Individual
Five Tests Five Tests Five Tests
LBX 16 19 1400 (9.6) 1000 (6.8) 700 (4.8) 500 (3.4)
LB 25 28 1000 (6.8) 700 (4.8) 700 (4.8) 500 (3.4)
A
The range in percentage absorp
...

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: C34 − 17 C34 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Structural Clay Loadbearing Wall Tile
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C34; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers structural clay loadbearing wall tile.
1.2 The property requirements of this specification apply at the time of purchase. The use of results from testing of tile extracted
from masonry structures for determining conformance or non-conformance to the property requirements (Section 5) of this
standard is beyond the scope of this specification.
1.3 Tile covered by this specification are manufactured from clay, shale, or similar naturally occurring earthy substances and
subjected to a heat treatment at elevated temperatures (firing). The heat treatment must develop sufficient fired bond between the
particulate constituents to provide the strength and durability requirements of this specification. (See firing and fired bond in
Terminology C1232.)
1.4 The text of this specification 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.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C67C67/C67M Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile
C216 Specification for Facing Brick (Solid Masonry Units Made from Clay or Shale)
C1232 Terminology for Masonry
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions relating to structural clay loadbearing wall tile, refer to Terminology C1232.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C15.02 on Brick
and Structural Clay Tile.
Current edition approved June 1, 2017June 1, 2023. Published July 2017June 2023. Originally approved in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 20132017 as
C34 – 13.C34 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/C0034-17.10.1520/C0034-23.
2
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.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C34 − 23
4. Classification
4.1 Two grades of tile are covered, as follows:
4.1.1 Grade LBX—Suitable for general use in masonry construction and adapted for use in masonry exposed to weathering,
provided they meet the durability requirements for Grade SW of Specification C216.
4.1.2 Grade LB—Suitable for general use in masonry where not exposed to frost action, or for use in exposed masonry where
protected with a facing of 3 in. (76.2 mm) or more of stone, brick, terra cotta, or other masonry.
NOTE 1—Color of tile varies with the type of clay used and degree of firing; hence, it cannot be taken as indicative of classification until after it has been
related to absorption and strength by actual tests.
4.1.3 If tile having a particular color, texture, or finish are desired, these features shall be specified separately by the purchaser.
NOTE 1—Color of tile varies with the type of clay used and degree of firing; hence, it cannot be taken as indicative of classification until after it has been
related to absorption and strength by actual tests.
5. Physical Properties
5.1 Tile Tile, when test in accordance with Test Methods C67/C67M, shall conform to the physical properties for the grade
specified as prescrib
...