Designation: C 652 – 00

Standard Specification for

Hollow Brick (Hollow Masonry Units Made From Clay or
Shale)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 652; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope 1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded

1.1 This specification covers hollow building brick and as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
hollow facing brick made from clay, shale, fire clay, or information only.
mixtures thereof, and fired to incipient fusion. Four types of 2. Referenced Documents
hollow brick in each of two grades and two classes are covered.
In this specification the term hollow brick shall be understood 2.1 ASTM Standards:
to mean hollow clay masonry units whose net cross-sectional C 34 Specification for Structural Clay Load-Bearing Wall
area (solid area) in any plane parallel to the surface, containing Tile2
the cores, cells, or deep frogs, is less than 75 % of its gross C 43 Terminology of Structural Clay Products2
cross-sectional area measured in the same plane (see 3.3). This C 62 Specification for Building Brick (Solid Masonry Units
specification does not cover brick intended for use as paving Made from Clay or Shale)2
brick (see Specification C 902). C 67 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and
1.2 The property requirements of this standard apply at the Structural Clay Tile2
time of purchase. The use of results from testing of brick C 212 Specification for Structural Clay Facing Tile2
extracted from masonry structures for determining conform- C 216 Specification for Facing Brick (Solid Masonry Units
ance or nonconformance to the property requirements (Section Made from Clay or Shale)2
5) of this standard is beyond the scope of this standard. C 902 Specification for Pedestrian and Light Traffic Paving
1.3 Brick covered by this specification are manufactured Brick2
from clay, shale, or similar naturally occurring substances and E 835/E 835M Guide for Modular Coordination of Clay
subjected to a heat treatment at elevated temperatures (firing). and Concrete Masonry Units3
The heat treatment shall develop sufficient fired bond between 3. Classification
the particulate constituents to provide the strength and dura-
bility requirements of this specification. (See “firing” and 3.1 Grades—Two grades of hollow brick are covered:
“firing bond” in Terminology C 43.) 3.1.1 Grade SW—Hollow brick intended for use where a
1.4 Hollow brick differ from unglazed structural clay tile high and uniform degree of resistance to frost action and
(Specifications C 34 and C 212) and solid brick (Specifications disintegration by weathering is desired and the exposure is
C 62 and C 216). Hollow brick require greater shell and web such that the hollow brick may be frozen when permeated with
thicknesses and higher minimum compressive strength than water.
structural clay tile, but permit greater void area and lesser 3.1.2 Grade MW—Hollow brick intended for use where a
distance from exposed edge to core hole than solid brick. moderate and somewhat nonuniform degree of resistance to
Therefore, environmental and structural performance may be frost action is permissible or where they are unlikely to be
different in elements constructed of hollow brick from those permeated with water when exposed to temperatures below
constructed of structural clay tile or solid brick. freezing.
1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes 3.2 Types—Four types of hollow brick are covered:
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes 3.2.1 Type HBS—Hollow brick for general use in masonry.
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered 3.2.2 Type HBX—Hollow brick for general use in masonry
as requirements of the standard. where a higher degree of precision and lower permissible
variation in size than permitted for Type HBS is required.
3.2.3 Type HBA—Hollow brick for general use in masonry
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-15 on selected to produce characteristic architectural effects resulting
Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C15.02 on Brick and Structural Clay Tile.
2
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2000. Published March 2000. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05.
3
published as C 652–70. Last previous edition C 652–97. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.

Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 C 652
from nonuniformity in size and texture of the individual units. 5.1.2 Absorption Alternate—The saturation coefficient re-
3.2.4 Type HBB—Hollow brick for general use in masonry quirement does not apply, provided the cold water absorption
where a particular color, texture, finish, uniformity, or limits on of any single unit of a random sample of five brick does not
cracks, warpage, or other imperfections detracting from the exceed 8.0 %.
appearance are not a consideration. 5.1.3 Freezing and Thawing Alternative—The requirements
3.2.5 When the type is not specified, the requirements for for 5 h boiling water absorption and saturation coefficient do
Type HBS shall govern. not apply, provided a sample of five brick, meeting the strength
3.3 Class—Two classes of hollow brick are covered: requirements of Table 2, passes the freezing and thawing test as
3.3.1 Class H40V—Hollow brick intended for use where described in the Rating Section of the Freezing and Thawing
void areas or hollow spaces greater than 25 %, but not greater test procedures of Test Methods C 67.
than 40 %, of the gross cross-sectional area of the unit 5.1.3.1 Grade SW—Weight Loss Requirement—Not greater
measured in any plane parallel to the surface containing the than 0.5 % loss in dry weight of any individual unit.
cores, cells, or deep frogs are desired. The void spaces, the web NOTE 1—The 50 cycle freezing and thawing test is specified as an
thicknesses, and the shell thicknesses shall comply with the alternative only when brick do not conform to either Table 2 requirements
requirements of Section 10 on Hollow Spaces. for maximum water absorption and saturation coefficient, or to the
3.3.2 Class H60V—Hollow brick intended for use where requirements of the Absorption Alternate in Section 5.1.2.
larger void areas are desired. The sum of these void areas shall 5.2 Strength—When hollow brick are required having
be greater than 40 %, but not greater than 60 %, of the gross strengths greater than prescribed in Table 2, the purchaser shall
cross-sectional area of the unit measured in any plane parallel specify the desired minimum compressive strength.
to the surface containing the cores, cells or deep frogs. The 5.3 Initial Rate of Absorption (IRA)—Test results for IRA
void spaces, the web thicknesses, and the shell thicknesses shall be determined in accordance with Section 9 of Test
shall comply with the requirements of Section 10 on Hollow Methods C 67 and shall be furnished at the request of the
Spaces and to the minimum requirements contained in Table 1 specifier or purchaser. IRA is not a qualifying condition or
(see Fig. 1). property of units in this specification. This property is mea-
3.3.3 When the class is not specified, the requirements of sured in order to assist in mortar selection and material
class H40V shall govern. handling in the construction process. See Note 2.
4. Materials and Manufacture NOTE 2—Initial Rate of Absorption (Suction)—Both laboratory and
4.1 The body of all hollow brick shall be of clay, shale, fire field investigation have shown that strong and watertight joints between
mortar and masonry units are not achieved by ordinary construction
clay, or mixtures of these materials, with or without admix- methods when the units as laid have excessive initial rates of absorption.
tures, burned to meet the requirements of this specification. Mortar that has stiffened somewhat because of excessive loss of mixing
Any coloring or other materials added to the clay shall be water to a unit may not make complete and intimate contact with the
suitable ceramic materials and shall be well distributed second unit, resulting in poor adhesion, incomplete bond, and water-
throughout the body. Unless otherwise specified by the pur- permeable joints of low strength. IRA of the units is determined by the
chaser, surface coloring shall not be applied to any brick other oven-dried procedure described in the IRA (Suction) (Laboratory Test) of
Test Methods C 67. IRA in the field depends on the moisture content of the
than by sanding or flashing.
masonry unit and is determined in accordance with the IRA (Suction)—
Field Test of Test Methods C 67. Units having average field IRA
5. Physical Properties
exceeding 30 g/min per 30 in.2(30 g/min 194 cm2) should have their IRA
5.1 Durability—When Grade is not specified, the require- reduced below 30 g/min per 30 in.2 prior to laying. They may be wetted
ments for Grade SW shall govern. Unless otherwise specified immediately before they are laid, but it is preferable to wet them
by the purchaser, brick of Grade SW shall be accepted instead thoroughly 3 to 24 h prior to their use so as to allow time for moisture to
of Grade MW. become distributed throughout the unit.
5.1.1 Physical Property Requirements—The brick shall 6. Efflorescence
conform to the physical requirements for the Grade specified as
prescribed in Table 2. For the compressive strength require- 6.1 When the hollow brick are tested in accordance with
ments in Table 2, test the unit with the compressive force Test Methods C 67, the rating for efflorescence shall be: “not
perpendicular to the bed surface of the unit, with the unit in the effloresced.”
stretcher position. 7. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
7.1 Size—The size of hollow brick shall be as specified by
TABLE 1 Class H60V—Hollow Brick Minimum Thickness
of Face Shells and Webs, in. (mm)
the purchaser. In a sample of ten hollow brick selected to
include the extreme range of color and sizes to be supplied, no
Face Shell Thicknesses
End Shells or hollow brick shall depart from the specified size by more than
Nominal Width of Units Cored or Double
Solid
Shell
End Webs the individual tolerance for the type specified as prescribed in
Table 3. Tolerances on dimensions for Type HBA shall be as
3 and 4 (76 and 101) ⁄ (19.05)
34 ... ⁄ (19.05)
34

6 (152) 1 (25.4) 11⁄2 (38) 1 (25.4) specified by the purchaser, but not more restrictive than HBS
8 (203) 11⁄4 (32) 11⁄2 (38) 1 (25.4) and HBB.
10 (254) 13⁄8 (35) 15⁄8 (41) 11⁄8 (29.5)
12 (306) 11⁄2 (38) 2 (50) 11⁄8 (29.5) NOTE 3—For a list of modular sizes see Guide E 835/E 835M. Sizes
listed in this standard are not produced in all parts of the United States.

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 C 652

FIG. 1 Hollow Brick Units

TABLE 2 Physical Requirements TABLE 3 Tolerances on Dimensions, in. (mm)

Compressive Strength Water Absorption Saturation Permissible Variation, max
gross area, min, psi by 5-h Coefficient, Specified Dimensions
Desig- Type HBS
(MPa) Boiling, max, % max Type HBX
nation and HBB
Average of Average Indi- Average Indi-
Individual
5 brick of 5 brick vidual of 5 brick vidual 3 (76) and under 61⁄16 (1.58) 63⁄32 (2.38)
Grade SW 3000 (20.7) 2500 (17.2) 17.0 20.0 0.78 0.80 Over 3 to 4 (102), incl 63⁄32 (2.38) 61⁄8 (3.18)
Grade MW 2500 (17.2) 2200 (15.2) 22.0 25.0 0.88 0.90 Over 4 to 6 (152), incl 61⁄8 (3.18) 63⁄16 (4.76)
Over 6 to 8 (204), incl 65⁄32 (3.97) 61⁄4 (6.35)
Over 8 to 12 (306), incl 67⁄32 (5.56) 65⁄16 (7.94)
Over 12 to 16 (408), incl 69⁄32 (7.14) 63⁄8 (9.52)
Brick names denoting sizes may be regional and therefore may not be
included in all reference books. Purchasers should ascertain the size of
respectively, shall not exceed the maximum for the type
brick available in their locality and should specify accordingly, stating the
desired dimensions (width by height by length). specified as prescribed in Table 4. Tolerances on distortion for
Type HBA shall be as specified by the purchaser.
7.2 Warpage—Tolerances for distortion or warpage of sur-
faces or edges intended to be exposed in use of individual 8. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
hollow brick from a plane surface and from a straight line, 8.1 The face or faces that will be exposed in place shall be

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 C 652
TABLE 4 Tolerances on Distortion, in. (mm) purchaser. Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, at least
Dimension, max
Permissible Distortion, max one end of the majority of the individual hollow brick shall
Type HBX Type HBS have the same general texture and general color tone as the
8 (204) and under 1⁄16 (1.58) 3⁄32 (2.38)

Over 8 to 12, (306), incl 3⁄32 (2.38) 1⁄8 (3.18) approved sample. The texture of the finished surfaces that will
Over 12 to 16 (408), incl 1⁄8 (3.18) 5⁄32 (3.97) be exposed when in place shall conform to an approved sample
consisting of not less than four stretcher hollow brick, each
representing the texture desired. The color range shall be
free of chips that exceed the limits of Table 5. The limits apply indicated by the approved sample.
to the types as specified. The aggregate length of chips shall not 9.2 Where brick with other than one finished face and one
exceed 10 % of the perimeter of the exposed face or faces of finished end are required (brick with two finished faces or ends,
the hollow brick. or other types), all such special brick shall be explicitly
8.2 Other than Chips—The face or faces shall be free of specified by the purchaser.
other imperfections detracting from the appearance of a sample
wall when viewed from a distance of 15 ft (4.6 m) for Type NOTE 5—The manufacturer should be consulted for the availability of
HBX and a distance of 20 ft (6.1 m) for Types HBS and HBA. specialty units suitable for the intended purpose.

NOTE 4—Of all the units that will be exposed in place, a small 10. Hollow Spaces
percentage of the units may have chips that are larger in size than those
10.1 Cores—The distance of any core (void space having a
chips allowed for the majority of the units. This special allowed
percentage, listed in the second column from the left of Table 5, ranges up gross cross-sectional area equal to or less than 11⁄2 in.2(9.68
to 5 % for HBX, up to 10 % for HBS (smooth), and up to 15 % for HBS cm2)) from exposed edges shall be not less than 5⁄8 in. (16 mm),
(rough). The remainder of the units that will be exposed in place, listed in except for cored-shell hollow brick.
the fifth column from the left, must conform to the chip sizes listed in the 10.1.1 Cored-shell hollow brick shall have a minimum shell
sixth and seventh columns from the left. thickness of 11⁄2 in. Cores greater than 1 in.2(6.45 cm2) in cored
Example—Type HBS (smooth) units will conform to the requirements shells shall be not less than 1⁄2 in. (13 mm) from any edge.
of Table 5 if not more than 10 % of the units have edge chips greater than
1⁄4 in. (6.4 mm) but less than 5⁄16 in. (7.9 mm), or corner chips greater than Cores not greater than 1 in.2 in shells cored not more than
3⁄8 in. (9.5 mm) but less than 1⁄2 in. (2.7 mm) and the remainder of the 35 %, shall be not less than 3⁄8 in. (10 mm) from any edge.
units, in this maximum case 90 % (100 % − 10 %), do not have edge chips 10.2 Cells—The distance of cells (void space having a gross
greater than 1⁄4 in. (6.4 mm) in from the edge nor corner chips greater than cross-sectional area greater than 11⁄2 in.2) from any exposed
3⁄8 in. (9.5 mm) in from the corner.
edge of the unit shall not be less than 3⁄4 in. (19 mm), except for
8.3 The brick shall be free of defects, deficiencies, and double-shell hollow brick.
surface treatments, including coatings, that interfere with the 10.2.1 Double-shell hollow brick with inner and outer shells
proper setting of the brick or significantly impair the strength not less than 1⁄2 in. (13 mm) are permitted to have cells not
or performance of the construction. greater than 5⁄8 in. (16 mm) in width nor 5 in. (127 mm) in
8.4 Unless otherwise agreed upon by the purchaser and the length between the inner and outer shell.
seller, a delivery of brick may contain not more than 5 % brick, 10.3 Webs—The thickness of webs between cells shall not
including broken brick, that do not meet the requirements for be less than 1⁄2 in. (13 mm), 3⁄8 in. (9.5 mm) between cells and
chippage and tolerances. cores, or 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) between cores.
8.5 After brick are placed in usage the manufacturer or the 10.4 Unexposed Edges— The distance of voids from unex-
manufacturer’s agent shall not be held responsible for compli- posed edges, which are recessed not less than 1⁄2 in. (13 mm),
ance of brick with the requirements of this specification for shall be not less than 1⁄2 in.
chippage and dimensional tolerances. 10.5 Frogging—Unless otherwise specified in the invitation
for bids, one bearing face of each brick is permitted to have a
9. Texture and Color recess or panel frog and deep frogs. The recess or panel frog
9.1 If brick having a particular color, color range, or texture shall not exceed 3⁄8 in. (9.5 mm) in depth and no part of the
are desired, these features shall be specified separately by the recess or panel frog shall be less than 5⁄8 in. (15.9 mm) from

TABLE 5 Maximum Permissible Range of Chippage That Extends from the Edges and Corners of the Finished Face or Faces
Onto the Surface
Percentage Chippage in in. (mm) in from Percentage Chippage in in. (mm) in from
Type AllowedA
Edge Corner AllowedA Edge Corner
HBX 5 % or less 18⁄ to 1⁄4 1⁄4 to 3⁄8 95 to 100 % 0 to 1⁄8 0 to 1⁄4
(3.18 to 6.35) (6.35 to 9.52) (0 to 3.18) (0 to 0.35)
HBSB (smooth) 10 % or less 1⁄4 to 5⁄16 3⁄8 to 1⁄2 90 to 100 % 0 to 1⁄4 0 to 3⁄8
(6.35 to 7.94) (9.52 to 12.7) (0 to 6.35) (0 to 9.52)
HBSC (rough) 15 % or less 5⁄16to 7⁄16 1⁄2to 3⁄4 85 to 100 % 0 to 5⁄16 0 to 1⁄2
(7.94 to 11.11) (12.7 to 19.05) (0 to 7.94) (0 to 12.7)
HBA and HBB to meet the designated sample or as specified by the purchaser, but not more restrictive than HBS (rough)
A
The allowable percentage of brick that will be exposed in the wall having the allowed maximum size chips measured the listed maximum dimensions in from an edge
or corner.
B
Smooth texture is unbroken natural die finish.
C
Rough texture is the finish produced when the face is sanded, combed, scratched, or scarified or the die skin on the face is entirely broken by mechanical means such
as wire-cutting or wire brushing.

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 C 652
any edge of the brick. In brick containing deep frogs, frogs 11.2 Sample and test the brick in accordance with Test
deeper than 3⁄8 in. (9.5 mm), any cross-section through the deep Methods C 67.
frogs parallel to the bearing surface shall conform to other
requirements of this specification for hollow spaces and void NOTE 6—Unless otherwise specified in the purchase order, the cost of
tests is typically borne as follows: If the results of the tests show that the
area.
brick do not conform to the requirements of this specification, the cost is
11. Sampling and Testing typically borne by the seller. If the results of the tests show that the brick
do conform to the requirements of this specification, the cost is typically
11.1 For purposes of tests, brick that are representative of borne by the purchaser.
the commercial product shall be selected by a competent
person appointed by the purchaser, the place or places of 12. Keywords
selection to be designated when the purchase order is placed.
The sample or samples shall include specimens representative 12.1 appearance requirements; clay; fired masonry unit;
of the complete range of colors and sizes of the brick supplied hollow brick; hollow building brick; hollow facing brick;
or to be supplied. The manufacturer or the seller shall furnish masonry construction; physical properties; shale
specimens for test without charge.

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