ASTM C73-23

Standard Specification for Calcium Silicate Brick (Sand-Lime Brick)

ABSTRACT
This specification covers brick made principally from sand and lime and intended for use in brick masonry. Two grades of brick are covered: grade SW - brick intended for use where exposed to temperature below freezing in the presence of moisture, grade MW - brick intended for use where exposed to temperature below freezing but unlikely to be saturated with eater. The brick shall conform to the physical requirements for the grade specified, as prescribed. All units shall be sound and free of cracks or other defects that interfere with the proper placement of the unit or significantly impair the strength or permanence of the construction.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers brick made principally from sand and lime and intended for use in brick masonry. Two grades of brick are covered:  
1.1.1 Grade SW—Brick intended for use where exposed to temperature below freezing in the presence of moisture.  
Note 1: As a typical example, brick used for foundation courses and parapets in the northeastern quarter of the United States should conform to Grade SW.  
1.1.2 Grade MW—Brick intended for use where exposed to temperature below freezing but unlikely to be saturated with water.  
Note 2: As a typical example, brick exposed in the face of the wall other than parapet or foundations, or brick intended for structures located in regions of the United States characterized by less severe frost action or by drier climate than is found in the northeastern quarter of the United States should conform to Grade MW.  
1.1.3 When the term brick is used in this specification, it is understood to mean brick or solid masonry units.  
1.2 If brick having a particular color, texture, finish, or uniformity is desired, these features shall be specified separately by the purchaser.  
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 standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 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-Jun-2023
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: C15 - Manufactured Masonry Units
• Drafting Committee: C15.03 - Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units

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: C73 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Calcium Silicate Brick (Sand-Lime Brick)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C73; 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* mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This specification covers brick made principally from
sand and lime and intended for use in brick masonry. Two
2. Referenced Documents
grades of brick are covered:
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1.1 Grade SW—Brick intended for use where exposed to
C140/C140M Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Con-
temperature below freezing in the presence of moisture.
crete Masonry Units and Related Units
NOTE 1—As a typical example, brick used for foundation courses and
C1232 Terminology for Masonry
parapets in the northeastern quarter of the United States should conform
to Grade SW.
3. Terminology
1.1.2 Grade MW—Brick intended for use where exposed to
3.1 Terminology defined in Terminology C1232 shall apply
temperature below freezing but unlikely to be saturated with
for this specification.
water.
4. Physical Requirements
NOTE 2—As a typical example, brick exposed in the face of the wall
other than parapet or foundations, or brick intended for structures located
4.1 At the time of delivery to the purchaser, the brick shall
in regions of the United States characterized by less severe frost action or
conform to the physical requirements for the grade specified, as
by drier climate than is found in the northeastern quarter of the United
prescribed in Table 1. Units shall be free of defects that
States should conform to Grade MW.
significantly impair the strength or permanence of the construc-
1.1.3 When the term brick is used in this specification, it is
tion.
understood to mean brick or solid masonry units.
4.2 Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, brick of
1.2 If brick having a particular color, texture, finish, or
Grades SW and MW shall be accepted. Grade SW shall be
uniformity is desired, these features shall be specified sepa-
accepted in lieu of Grade MW.
rately by the purchaser.
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes 5. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
5.1 The size of brick shall be as specified by the purchaser
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
and the average size of brick furnished shall approximate the
as requirements of the standard.
size specified in the invitation for bids.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
5.2 No overall dimension (width, height, and length) shall
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
1
differ by more than 6 ⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) from the specified
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
standard dimension. The width requirement does not apply to
and are not considered standard.
textured finishes such as split or rocked faces. Standard
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dimensions of units are the manufacturer’s designated dimen-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- sions.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
6. Finish and Appearance
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
6.1 Where units are to be used in exposed wall construction,
the face or faces that are to be exposed shall not show chips or
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on
Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
2
C15.03 on Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 15, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1928. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as C73 – 22. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C0073-23. 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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C73 − 23
TABLE 1 Physical Requirements
8.2 Non-conforming
...

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: C73 − 22 C73 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Calcium Silicate Brick (Sand-Lime Brick)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C73; 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 made principally from sand and lime and intended for use in brick masonry. Two grades of
brick are covered:
1.1.1 Grade SW—Brick intended for use where exposed to temperature below freezing in the presence of moisture.
NOTE 1—As a typical example, brick used for foundation courses and parapets in the northeastern quarter of the United States should conform to Grade
SW.
1.1.2 Grade MW—Brick intended for use where exposed to temperature below freezing but unlikely to be saturated with water.
NOTE 2—As a typical example, brick exposed in the face of the wall other than parapet or foundations, or brick intended for structures located in regions
of the United States characterized by less severe frost action or by drier climate than is found in the northeastern quarter of the United States should
conform to Grade MW.
1.1.3 When the term brick is used in this specification, it is understood to mean brick or solid masonry units.
1.2 If brick having a particular color, texture, finish, or uniformity is desired, these features shall be specified separately by the
purchaser.
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 standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 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 C15.03 on
Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2022June 15, 2023. Published December 2022June 2023. Originally approved in 1928. Last previous edition approved in 20172022 as
C73 – 17.C73 – 22. DOI: 10.1520/C0073-22.10.1520/C0073-23.
*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 ----------------------
C73 − 23
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C140/C140M Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units
C1232 Terminology for Masonry
3. Terminology
3.1 Terminology defined in Terminology C1232 shall apply for this specification.
4. Physical Requirements
4.1 The At the time of delivery to the purchaser, the brick shall conform to the physical requirements for the grade specified, as
prescribed in Table 1. Units shall be free of defects that significantly impair the strength or permanence of the construction.
4.2 Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, brick of Grades SW and MW shall be accepted. Grade SW shall be accepted in
lieu of Grade MW.
5. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
5.1 The size of brick shall be as specified by the purchaser and the average size of brick furnished shall approximate the size
specified in the invitation for bids.
1
5.2 No overall dimension (width, height, and length) shall differ by more than 6 ⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) from the specified standard
dimension. The width requirement does not apply to textured finishes such as split or rocked faces. Standard dimensions of units
are the manufacturer’s designated dimensions.
6. Finish and Appearance
6.1 All units shall be sound and free of cracks or other defects that interfere with the proper placement of the unit or significantly
impair the strength or permanence of the construction. Minor cracks incidental to the usual methods of manufact
...