ASTM C55-17

Standard Specification for Concrete Building Brick

ABSTRACT
This specification covers solid, dry-cast, concrete building brick intended for interior and exterior use in constructing structural masonry, and are made from portland cement, water, and suitable mineral aggregates with or without the inclusion of other materials. Materials to be used in the manufacture of brick include Portland cement, limestone, hydraulic cement, pozzolan, blast furnace slag cement, aggregates, and other constituents like air-entraining agents, coloring pigments, integral water repellents, and finely ground silica. All units shall be sound and free of cracks or other defects that interfere with the proper placement of the units or significantly impair the strength or permanence of the construction.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers solid, dry-cast, concrete building brick intended for interior and exterior use in constructing structural masonry, and are made from portland cement, water, and suitable mineral aggregates with or without the inclusion of other materials.
Note 1: Specification C1634 addresses concrete facing brick used in facing applications and other exposures (previously referred to in earlier editions of this standard as Grade N—for use as architectural veneer and facing units in exterior walls and for use where high-strength and resistance to moisture penetration and severe frost action are desired). This specification differs from C1634 in that it addresses properties for concrete building brick used in non-facing, utilitarian applications (previously referred to in earlier editions of this specification as Grade S—for general use where moderate strength and resistance to frost action and moisture penetration are required).  
1.2 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.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
Note 2: Concrete building brick covered by this specification are made from lightweight or normal weight aggregates, or both.
Note 3: When particular features are desired, such as density classification, high compressive strength, surface textures for appearance or bond, finish, color, fire resistance, insulation, acoustical properties, or other special features, such properties should be specified separately by the purchaser. Suppliers should be consulted as to the availability of concrete building brick having the desired features.  
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: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2017
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C15 - Manufactured Masonry Units
• Drafting Committee: C15.03 - Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:C55 −17
Standard Specification for
1
Concrete Building Brick
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C55; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
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* ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1 This specification covers solid, dry-cast, concrete build-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ing brick intended for interior and exterior use in constructing
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
structural masonry, and are made from portland cement, water,
and suitable mineral aggregates with or without the inclusion
2. Referenced Documents
of other materials.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 1—Specification C1634 addresses concrete facing brick used in
C33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates
facing applications and other exposures (previously referred to in earlier
C140 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete
editions of this standard as Grade N—for use as architectural veneer and
facing units in exterior walls and for use where high-strength and
Masonry Units and Related Units
resistancetomoisturepenetrationandseverefrostactionaredesired).This
C150 Specification for Portland Cement
specificationdiffersfromC1634inthatitaddressespropertiesforconcrete
C331 Specification for LightweightAggregates for Concrete
building brick used in non-facing, utilitarian applications (previously
Masonry Units
referred to in earlier editions of this specification as Grade S—for general
C426 Test Method for Linear Drying Shrinkage of Concrete
use where moderate strength and resistance to frost action and moisture
penetration are required).
Masonry Units
C595 Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
1.2 The text of this specification references notes and
C618 Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined
footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and
Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
C989 Specification for Slag Cement for Use in Concrete and
considered as requirements of the standard.
Mortars
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
C1157 Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
C1232 Terminology of Masonry
information only.
C1634 Specification for Concrete Facing Brick
NOTE 2—Concrete building brick covered by this specification are
made from lightweight or normal weight aggregates, or both.
3. Terminology
NOTE 3—When particular features are desired, such as density
classification, high compressive strength, surface textures for appearance 3.1 Terminology defined in Terminology C1232 shall apply
or bond, finish, color, fire resistance, insulation, acoustical properties, or
for this specification.
other special features, such properties should be specified separately by
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
the purchaser. Suppliers should be consulted as to the availability of
concrete building brick having the desired features.
3.2.1 concrete building brick, n—a concrete masonry unit,
with a maximum width of four (4) inches and of a weight that
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
will typically permit it to be lifted and placed with one hand,
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
that is manufactured for general use in non-facing, utilitarian
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
applications.
and are not considered standard.
3.2.2 concrete facing brick, n—a concrete masonry unit,
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
with a maximum width of four (4) inches and of a weight that
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
will typically permit it to be lifted and placed with one hand,
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
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2017.PublishedJuly2017.Originallyapproved contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1924. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as C55 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/C0055- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
17. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copy
...

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: C55 − 16 C55 − 17
Standard Specification for
1
Concrete Building Brick
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C55; 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 solid, dry-cast, concrete building brick intended for interior and exterior use in constructing
structural masonry, and are made from portland cement, water, and suitable mineral aggregates with or without the inclusion of
other materials.
NOTE 1—Specification C1634 addresses concrete facing brick used in facing applications and other exposures (previously referred to in earlier editions
of this standard as Grade N—for use as architectural veneer and facing units in exterior walls and for use where high-strength and resistance to moisture
penetration and severe frost action are desired). This specification differs from C1634 in that it addresses properties for concrete building brick used in
non-facing, utilitarian applications (previously referred to in earlier editions of this specification as Grade S—for general use where moderate strength
and resistance to frost action and moisture penetration are required).
1.2 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.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
NOTE 2—Concrete building brick covered by this specification are made from lightweight or normal weight aggregates, or both.
NOTE 3—When particular features are desired, such as density classification, high compressive strength, surface textures for appearance or bond, finish,
color, fire resistance, insulation, acoustical properties, or other special features, such properties should be specified separately by the purchaser. Suppliers
should be consulted as to the availability of concrete building brick having the desired features.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates
C140 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units
C150 Specification for Portland Cement
C331 Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete Masonry Units
C426 Test Method for Linear Drying Shrinkage of Concrete Masonry Units
C595 Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
C618 Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete
C989 Specification for Slag Cement for Use in Concrete and Mortars
C1157 Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement
C1232 Terminology of Masonry
C1634 Specification for Concrete Facing Brick
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, 2016June 1, 2017. Published December 2016July 2017. Originally approved in 1924. Last previous edition approved in 20142016 as
C55 – 14a.C55 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/C0055-16.10.1520/C0055-17.
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
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C55 − 17
3. Terminology
3.1 Terminology de
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