ASTM C615/C615M-23

Standard Specification for Granite Dimension Stone

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the material characteristics, physical requirements, and sampling method appropriate to the selection of granite dimension stone for general building and structural purposes. Granite dimension stone shall include stone that is sawed, cut, split, or otherwise finished or shaped, and shall specifically exclude molded, cast, or otherwise artificially aggregated units composed of fragments, crushed and broken stone. Granite stones covered here shall be used for: exterior and interior cladding of buildings and structures; curbstone, paving, and landscape features; structural components having established dimensions; grade separations and retaining walls; and monuments. The physical property requirements to which granite stones shall adhere to are absorption by weight, density, compressive weight, modulus of rupture, abrasion resistance, and flexural strength.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the material characteristics, physical requirements, and sampling appropriate to the selection of granite for general building and structural purposes. Refer to Guides C1242 and C1528 for the appropriate selection and use of granite dimension stone.  
1.2 Granite dimension stone shall include stone that is sawed, cut, split, or otherwise finished or shaped, and shall specifically exclude molded, cast, or otherwise artificially aggregated units composed of fragments, crushed and broken stone.  
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.4 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: 14-Dec-2023
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: C18 - Dimension Stone
• Drafting Committee: C18.03 - Material Specifications

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C615/C615M-18e1 - Standard Specification for Granite Dimension Stone
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM C170/C170M-24a - Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM C170/C170M-24 - Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM C1242-23c - Standard Guide for Selection, Design, and Installation of Dimension Stone Attachment Systems
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM C170/C170M-23 - Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Referred By: ASTM C1242-23b - Standard Guide for Selection, Design, and Installation of Dimension Stone Attachment Systems
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2023

Overview

ASTM C615/C615M-23: Standard Specification for Granite Dimension Stone provides guidance on the material properties, physical requirements, and sampling methods for selecting high-quality granite dimension stone for building and structural applications. Developed by ASTM International, this standard ensures that granite used in construction meets rigorous criteria for strength, durability, and aesthetics. The specification is essential for architects, engineers, suppliers, and contractors involved in projects using granite for both exterior and interior applications.

Key Topics

• Material Characteristics
  The standard covers natural granite that is sawed, cut, split, or otherwise finished or shaped. It expressly excludes any molded or cast products, or aggregates composed of crushed stone fragments.

• Physical Requirements
  Granite dimension stone must comply with strict physical property benchmarks, including:

  • Absorption by weight
  • Minimum density
  • Compressive strength
  • Modulus of rupture
  • Abrasion resistance (for stone subject to foot traffic)
  • Flexural strength

• Suitability of Granite
  Granite must be sound, durable, and free from defects such as cracks, spalls, open seams, and staining minerals. Acceptable natural variations in color and texture must be established via representative control samples prior to project production.

• Sampling and Testing
  The standard defines procedures for selecting representative samples for testing to verify compliance with physical property requirements. All sampling and testing should align with referenced ASTM test methods.

• Units of Measurement
  ASTM C615/C615M-23 allows the use of both SI and inch-pound units, but each must be used independently to avoid non-conformance.

Applications

ASTM C615/C615M-23 applies to a wide range of applications in construction and landscaping, providing assurance of granite’s suitability for:

• Building Cladding
  Used for both exterior and interior cladding of buildings and structures, offering durability and aesthetic value.

• Paving and Landscaping
  Granite dimension stone is extensively used for curbstone, paving, retaining walls, and landscape features due to its inherent strength and resistance to weathering.

• Structural Components
  The specification covers granite used in structural elements where precise dimensions and reliable performance are critical.

• Monuments
  Granite’s durability and unique appearance make it suitable for monuments and memorial installations.

By following the requirements of this standard, stakeholders can ensure that granite used in construction projects meets necessary safety, performance, and longevity expectations.

Related Standards

ASTM C615/C615M-23 references several related standards vital for granite dimension stone selection and testing:

• ASTM C97/C97M - Test Methods for Absorption and Bulk Specific Gravity of Dimension Stone
• ASTM C99/C99M - Test Method for Modulus of Rupture of Dimension Stone
• ASTM C170/C170M - Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone
• ASTM C241/C241M and ASTM C1353 - Test Methods for Abrasion Resistance of Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic
• ASTM C880/C880M - Test Method for Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone
• ASTM C1242 - Guide for Selection, Design, and Installation of Dimension Stone Attachment Systems
• ASTM C1528 - Guide for Selection of Dimension Stone
• ASTM C119 - Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone

For comprehensive guidance and updates, users should also consult referenced guides when selecting and installing granite dimension stone in compliance with ASTM C615/C615M-23.

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: C615/C615M − 23
Standard Specification for
Granite Dimension Stone
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C615/C615M; 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 C241/C241M Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Stone
Subjected to Foot Traffic
1.1 This specification covers the material characteristics,
C1242 Guide for Selection, Design, and Installation of
physical requirements, and sampling appropriate to the selec-
Dimension Stone Attachment Systems
tion of granite for general building and structural purposes.
C880/C880M Test Method for Flexural Strength of Dimen-
Refer to Guides C1242 and C1528 for the appropriate selection
sion Stone
and use of granite dimension stone.
C1353 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Dimension
1.2 Granite dimension stone shall include stone that is
Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic Using a Rotary Platform
sawed, cut, split, or otherwise finished or shaped, and shall
Abraser
specifically exclude molded, cast, or otherwise artificially
C1528 Guide for Selection of Dimension Stone
aggregated units composed of fragments, crushed and broken
stone. 3. Terminology
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
3.1 Definitions—All definitions are in accordance with Ter-
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in minology C119.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
4. Classification
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
4.1 Granite dimension stone under this specification shall be
with the standard.
granite used for:
4.1.1 Exterior and interior cladding of buildings and struc-
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
tures;
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.1.2 Curbstone, paving, and landscape features;
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1.3 Structural components having established dimensions;
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1.4 Grade separations and retaining walls; and
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1.5 Monuments.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Physical Properties
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Granite supplied under this specification shall conform
2.1 ASTM Standards:
to the physical requirements prescribed in Table 1.
C97/C97M Test Methods for Absorption and Bulk Specific
Gravity of Dimension Stone
NOTE 1—Refer to Guide C1528 Section 62 for potential further
C99/C99M Test Method for Modulus of Rupture of Dimen-
evaluation of materials that do not meet the values of this specification,
but may still be suitable for use in a particular application.
sion Stone
C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
5.2 Granite shall be sound, durable, and free of spalls,
C170/C170M Test Method for Compressive Strength of
cracks, open seams, pits, or other defects that are likely to
Dimension Stone
impair its structural integrity in its intended use.
5.3 Granite shall be free of minerals that may cause objec-
tionable staining under normal environments of use.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on
Dimension Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.03 on
5.4 The desired color and texture, with their permissible
Material Specifications.
natural variations in mater
...

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.
´1
Designation: C615/C615M − 18 C615/C615M − 23
Standard Specification for
Granite Dimension Stone
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C615/C615M; 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.
ε NOTE—Paragraphs 5.1.1 and 5.1.2 were removed editorially in October 2018.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers the material characteristics, physical requirements, and sampling appropriate to the selection of
granite for general building and structural purposes. Refer to Guides C1242 and C1528 for the appropriate selection and use of
granite dimension stone.
1.2 Granite dimension stone shall include stone that is sawed, cut, split, or otherwise finished or shaped, and shall specifically
exclude molded, cast, or otherwise artificially aggregated units composed of fragments, crushed and broken stone.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.4 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C97/C97M Test Methods for Absorption and Bulk Specific Gravity of Dimension Stone
C99/C99M Test Method for Modulus of Rupture of Dimension Stone
C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
C170/C170M Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone
C241/C241M Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic
C1242 Guide for Selection, Design, and Installation of Dimension Stone Attachment Systems
C880/C880M Test Method for Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone
C1353 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Dimension Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic Using a Rotary Platform Abraser
C1528 Guide for Selection of Dimension Stone
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—All definitions are in accordance with Terminology C119.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on Dimension Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.03 on Material
Specifications.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2018Dec. 15, 2023. Published September 2018January 2024. Originally approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 20112018
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as C615/C615M – 18 C 615.⁄C 615M– 11. DOI:10.1520 DOI:10.1520/C0615_C0615M-23.⁄C615_C615M-18E01.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C615/C615M − 23
4. Classification
4.1 Granite dimension stone under this specification shall be granite used for:
4.1.1 Exterior and interior cladding of buildings and structures;
4.1.2 Curbstone, paving, and landscape features;
4.1.3 Structural components having established dimensions;
4.1.4 Grade separations and retaining walls; and
4.1.5 Monuments.
5. Physical Properties
5.1 Granite supplied under this specification shall conform to the physical requirements prescribed in Table 1. See
NOTE 1—Refer to Guide C1528 Section 62 for potential further evaluation of materials that do not meet the values of this specification, but may still be
B
suitable for use in a particular application. Footnote for possible variations from this table.
5.2 Granite shall be sound, durable, and free of spalls, cracks, open seams, pits, or other
...