ASTM C216-23

Standard Specification for Facing Brick (Solid Masonry Units Made from Clay or Shale)

ABSTRACT
This specification covers brick intended for use in masonry and supplying structural or facing components, or both, to the structure. Bricks shall be classified according to their resistance to damage by freezing when saturated at a moisture content: Grade SW and Grade MW. The facing bricks shall be classified into three types: Types FBS; FBX; and FBA. Durability; absorption alternate; freezing and thawing alternative; breakage and weight loss; cracking; low weathering index alternative; compressive strength; and initial rate of absorption requirements shall be tested for the material to meet the specified requirements.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers brick intended for use in masonry supplying structural or facing components, or both, to the structure.  
1.2 The requirements of this specification apply at the time of purchase. The use of results from testing of brick extracted from masonry structures for determining compliance with the requirements of this specification is beyond the intent of this standard.  
1.3 The brick are prismatic units available in a variety of sizes, textures, colors, and shapes. This specification is not intended to provide specifications for paving brick (see Specification C902).  
1.4 Brick are ceramic products manufactured primarily from clay, shale, or similar naturally occurring earthy substances and subjected to a heat treatment at elevated temperatures (firing). Additives or recycled materials are permitted to be included at the option of the manufacturer. The heat treatment must develop a fired bond between the particulate constituents to provide the strength and durability requirements of this specification (see Terminology C1232).  
1.5 Brick are shaped during manufacture by molding, pressing, or extrusion, and the shaping method is a way to describe the brick.  
1.5.1 This standard and its individual requirements shall not be used to qualify or corroborate the performance of a masonry unit made from other materials, or made with other forming methods, or other means of binding the materials.  
1.6 Three types of brick in each of two grades are covered.  
1.7 The text of this specification references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.  
1.8 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.  
1.9 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: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• 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: C216 − 23
Standard Specification for
Facing Brick (Solid Masonry Units Made from Clay or
1
Shale)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C216; 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* 1.8 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
1.1 This specification covers brick intended for use in
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
masonry supplying structural or facing components, or both, to
and are not considered standard.
the structure.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2 The requirements of this specification apply at the time
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
of purchase. The use of results from testing of brick extracted
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
from masonry structures for determining compliance with the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
requirements of this specification is beyond the intent of this
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
standard.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 The brick are prismatic units available in a variety of
sizes, textures, colors, and shapes. This specification is not 2. Referenced Documents
intended to provide specifications for paving brick (see Speci- 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
fication C902).
C67/C67M Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick
1.4 Brick are ceramic products manufactured primarily and Structural Clay Tile
from clay, shale, or similar naturally occurring earthy sub- C902 Specification for Pedestrian and Light Traffic Paving
stances and subjected to a heat treatment at elevated tempera- Brick
tures (firing). Additives or recycled materials are permitted to C1232 Terminology for Masonry
be included at the option of the manufacturer. The heat C1272 Specification for Heavy Vehicular Paving Brick
treatment must develop a fired bond between the particulate
3. Terminology
constituents to provide the strength and durability requirements
of this specification (see Terminology C1232).
3.1 Definitions—For definitions relating to masonry and
facing brick, refer to Terminology C1232.
1.5 Brick are shaped during manufacture by molding,
pressing, or extrusion, and the shaping method is a way to
4. Classification
describe the brick.
4.1 Grades—Grades classify brick according to their resis-
1.5.1 This standard and its individual requirements shall not
tance to damage by freezing and thawing when saturated at a
be used to qualify or corroborate the performance of a masonry
moisture content not exceeding the 24-h cold water absorption.
unit made from other materials, or made with other forming
Two grades of facing brick are covered and the requirements
methods, or other means of binding the materials.
are given in Section 7.
1.6 Three types of brick in each of two grades are covered.
4.1.1 Grade SW (Severe Weathering)—Brick intended for
1.7 The text of this specification references notes and
use where high resistance to damage caused by cyclic freezing
footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and
and thawing is desired.
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
4.1.2 Grade MW (Moderate Weathering)—Brick intended
considered as requirements of the standard.
for use where moderate resistance to cyclic freezing and
thawing damage is permissible.
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 August 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1947. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as C216 – 22. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C0216-23. 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

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C216 − 23
TABLE 1 Physical Requirements
Minimum Compressive Strength Max
...

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: C216 − 22 C216 − 23
Standard Specification for
Facing Brick (Solid Masonry Units Made from Clay or
1
Shale)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C216; 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 brick intended for use in masonry supplying structural or facing components, or both, to the structure.
1.2 The requirements of this specification apply at the time of purchase. The use of results from testing of brick extracted from
masonry structures for determining compliance with the requirements of this specification is beyond the intent of this standard.
1.3 The brick are prismatic units available in a variety of sizes, textures, colors, and shapes. This specification is not intended to
provide specifications for paving brick (see Specification C902).
1.4 Brick are ceramic products manufactured primarily from clay, shale, or similar naturally occurring earthy substances and
subjected to a heat treatment at elevated temperatures (firing). Additives or recycled materials are permitted to be included at the
option of the manufacturer. The heat treatment must develop a fired bond between the particulate constituents to provide the
strength and durability requirements of this specification (see Terminology C1232).
1.5 Brick are shaped during manufacture by molding, pressing, or extrusion, and the shaping method is a way to describe the brick.
1.5.1 This standard and its individual requirements shall not be used to qualify or corroborate the performance of a masonry unit
made from other materials, or made with other forming methods, or other means of binding the materials.
1.6 Three types of brick in each of two grades are covered.
1.7 The text of this specification references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.8 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.
1.9 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.
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, 2022June 1, 2023. Published June 2022August 2023. Originally approved in 1947. Last previous edition approved in 20212022 as
C216 – 21.C216 – 22. DOI: 10.1520/C0216-22.10.1520/C0216-23.
*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 ----------------------
C216 − 23
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C67/C67M Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile
C902 Specification for Pedestrian and Light Traffic Paving Brick
C1232 Terminology for Masonry
C1272 Specification for Heavy Vehicular Paving Brick
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions relating to masonry and facing brick, refer to Terminology C1232.
4. Classification
4.1 Grades—Grades classify brick according to their resistance to damage by freezing and thawing when saturated at a moisture
content not exceeding the 24-h cold water absorption. Two grades of facing brick are covered and the requirements are given in
Section 7.
4.1.1 Grade SW (Severe Weathering)—Brick intended for use where high resistance to damage caused by cyclic freezing and
thawing is desired.
4.1.2 Grade MW (Moderate Weathering)—Brick intended for use where moderate resistance to cyclic freezing and thawing
damage is permissible.
NOTE 1—Although grade is associated with resistance to deterioration under freeze/thaw exposures, freeze/thaw resistance of a clay brick u
...