Designation: C55 − 14a

Standard Specification for

Concrete Building Brick1
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* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification covers solid, dry-cast, concrete build- 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
ing brick intended for interior and exterior use in constructing C33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates
structural masonry, and are made from portland cement, water, C140 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete
and suitable mineral aggregates with or without the inclusion Masonry Units and Related Units
of other materials. C150 Specification for Portland Cement
C331 Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete
NOTE 1—Specification C1634 addresses concrete facing brick used in Masonry Units
facing applications and other exposures (previously referred to in earlier C426 Test Method for Linear Drying Shrinkage of 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
resistance to moisture penetration and severe frost action are desired). This C595 Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
specification differs from C1634 in that it addresses properties for concrete C618 Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined
building brick used in non-facing, utilitarian applications (previously Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete
referred to in earlier editions of this specification as Grade S—for general C989 Specification for Slag Cement for Use in Concrete and
use where moderate strength and resistance to frost action and moisture
penetration are required). Mortars
C1157 Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement
1.2 The text of this specification references notes and C1232 Terminology of Masonry
footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and C1634 Specification for Concrete Facing Brick
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
considered as requirements of the standard. 3. Terminology
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3.1 Terminology defined in Terminology C1232 shall apply
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for for this specification.
information only. 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 concrete building brick, n—a concrete masonry unit,
NOTE 2—Concrete building brick covered by this specification are
made from lightweight or normal weight aggregates, or both. with a maximum width of four (4) inches and of a weight that
NOTE 3—When particular features are desired, such as density will typically permit it to be lifted and placed with one hand,
classification, high compressive strength, surface textures for appearance that is manufactured for general use in non-facing, utilitarian
or bond, finish, color, fire resistance, insulation, acoustical properties, or applications.
other special features, such properties should be specified separately by
the purchaser. Suppliers should be consulted as to the availability of
3.2.2 concrete facing brick, n—a concrete masonry unit,
concrete building brick having the desired features. with a maximum width of four (4) inches and of a weight that
will typically permit it to be lifted and placed with one hand,
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded that is manufactured to be typically used in an application
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical where one or more faces of the unit is intended to be exposed.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard. 4. Materials and Manufacture
4.1 Cementitious Materials—Materials shall conform to the
following applicable specifications:
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 Dec. 1, 2014. Published January 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1924. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C55 – 14. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C0055-14A. 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 − 14a
4.1.1 Portland Cement—Specification C150. 5.2 At the time of delivery to the purchaser, the total linear
4.1.2 Modified Portland Cement—Portland cement con- drying shrinkage of units shall not exceed 0.065 % when tested
forming to Specification C150, modified as follows: in accordance with Test Method C426.
4.1.2.1 Limestone—Calcium carbonate, with a minimum NOTE 4—The purchaser is the public body or authority, association,
85 % CaCO3 content, is permitted to be added to the cement, corporation, partnership, or individual entering into a contract or agree-
provided these requirements of Specification C150 as modified ment to purchase or install, or both, concrete building brick. The time of
are met: delivery to the purchaser is FOB plant when the purchaser or the
(1) Limitation on Insoluble Residue—1.5 %. purchaser’s agent transports the concrete building brick, or at the time
unloaded at the worksite if the manufacturer or the manufacturer’s agent
(2) Limitation on Air Content of Mortar—Volume percent, transports the concrete building brick.
22 % max.
(3) Limitation on Loss on Ignition—7 %. 6. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
4.1.3 Blended Hydraulic Cements—Specification C595.
6.1 No overall dimension (width, height, and length) shall
4.1.4 Hydraulic Cement—Specification C1157.
differ by more than 61⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) from the specified
4.1.5 Pozzolans—Specification C618.
standard dimensions.
4.1.6 Blast Furnace Slag Cement—Specification C989.
4.2 Aggregates—Aggregates shall conform to the following NOTE 5—Standard dimensions of concrete building brick are the
manufacturer’s designated dimensions. Nominal dimensions of modular
specifications, except that grading requirements shall not size concrete building brick are equal to the standard dimensions plus the
necessarily apply: thickness of one mortar joint. Nominal dimensions of nonmodular size
4.2.1 Normal Weight Aggregates—Specification C33. concrete building brick usually exceed the standard dimensions by 1⁄8 to 1⁄4
4.2.2 Lightweight Aggregates—Specification C331. in. (3.2 to 6.4 mm).

4.3 Other Constituents—Air-entraining agents, coloring 6.2 Coring—Unless otherwise specified, brick shall be ei-
pigments, integral water repellents, finely ground silica, and ther solid or cored at the option of the seller. For cored concrete
other constituents shall be previously established as suitable for building brick, the net cross-sectional area in any plane parallel
use in concrete masonry units and shall conform to applicable to the surface containing the cores shall be at least 75 % of the
ASTM standards or shall be shown by test or experience not to gross cross-sectional area measure in the same plane. No part
be detrimental to the durability of the concrete masonry units of any hole shall be less than 3⁄4 in. (19.1 mm) from any edge
or any material customarily used in masonry construction. of the unit.

5. Physical Requirements 7. Finish and Appearance

5.1 At the time of delivery to the purchaser, units shall 7.1 No more than 5 % of the units in the shipment shall
conform to the physical requirements prescribed in Table 1. All exhibit one or more of the characteristics described in 7.1.1 and
units shall be sound and free of cracks or other defects that 7.1.2.
interfere with the proper placement of the units or significantly 7.1.1 Units with dimensions not meeting the requirements
impair the strength or permanence of the construction. Minor of 6.1.
cracks incidental to the usual method of manufacture or minor 7.1.2 Units that are broken.
chipping resulting from customary methods of handling in
shipment and delivery are not grounds for rejection. 8. Methods of Sampling and Testing
5.1.1 When higher compressive strengths than those listed 8.1 The purchaser or authorized representative shall be
in Table 1 are specified, the tested average net area compres- accorded proper facilities to inspect and sample the concrete
sive strength of three units shall equal or exceed the specified building brick at the place of manufacture from the lots ready
compressive strength, and the following single unit strength for delivery.
requirements shall apply.
5.1.1.1 When the specified compressive strength is less than 8.2 Compressive strength, absorption, density, and dimen-
5000 psi, no single unit net area compressive strength test sional tolerances shall be based on tests of concrete building
result shall be less than the specified compressive strength brick of any configuration or dimensions made with the same
minus 500 psi. materials, concrete mix design, manufacturing process, and
5.1.1.2 When the specified compressive strength is 5000 psi curing method, conducted in accordance with Test Methods
or greater, no single unit net area compressive strength test C140 and within 12 months of production of the units.
result shall be less than 90 % of the specified compressive 8.3 Total linear drying shrinkage shall be based on tests of
strength. concrete building brick of any configuration or dimensions
TABLE 1 Strength, Absorption, and Density Classification RequirementsA
Density Oven-Dry Density Maximum Water Minimum Net Area
Classification of Concrete, lb/ft3 (kg ⁄ m3) Absorption, lb/ft3 (kg ⁄ m3) Compressive Strength, lb/in2 (MPa)
Average of 3 Units Average of 3 Units Individual Units Average of 3 Units Individual Units
Lightweight Less than 105 (1680) 18 (288) 20 (320) 2500 (17.2) 2000 (13.8)
Medium Weight 105 to less than 125 (1680–2000) 15 (240) 17 (272) 2500 (17.2) 2000 (13.8)
Normal Weight 125 (2000) or more 13 (208) 15 (240) 2500 (17.2) 2000 (13.8)
A
Average oven-dry density, based on a set of three units, shall fall within ranges defined in the table to be classified as lightweight, medium weight, or normal weight.

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 C55 − 14a
made with the same materials, concrete mix design, manufac- second sample fails to meet the specified requirements, the
turing process, and curing method, conducted in accordance remaining portion of the shipment represented by the sample
with Test Method C426 and within 24 months of production of fails to meet the specified requirements.
the units.
NOTE 6—Unless otherwise specified in the purchase order, the costs of
9. Compliance tests is typically borne as follows: (1) if the results of the tests show that
the units do not conform to the requirements of this specification, the cost
9.1 If a sample fails to conform to the specified is typically borne by the seller; (2) if the results of the tests show that the
requirements, the manufacturer shall be permitted to remove units conform to the specification requirements, the cost is typically borne
units from the shipment. A new sample shall be selected by the by the purchaser.
purchaser from remaining units from the shipment with a
similar configuration and dimension and tested at the expense 10. Keywords
of the manufacturer. If the second sample meets the specified 10.1 absorption; compressive strength; concrete brick; con-
requirements, the remaining portion of the shipment repre- crete building brick; concrete masonry units; linear drying
sented by the sample meets the specified requirements. If the shrinkage; portland cement

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C15 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (C55 – 14)
that may impact the use of this standard. (December 1, 2014)

(1) Revised Section 8 to add a 12-month frequency for C140

tests.

Committee C15 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (C55 – 11)
that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved July 1, 2014.)

(1) Subsection 5.1 and Section 7 were revised related to finish

and appearance of units.

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