ASTM C159-06(2021)

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: C159 −06 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Vitrified Clay Filter Blocks
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C159; 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.
1. Scope 3.2.1 compressive strength—the pressure, measured in psi
(kPa)whichcausesfailureofvitrifiedclayfilterblock,withthe
1.1 This specification establishes the criteria for acceptance,
load being applied to the block in the direction of use.
prior to installation, of vitrified clay filter block used in
trickling filters for the treatment of sewage and industrial
3.2.2 filter block—rectangular, vitrified clay units with inte-
wastes. rior drainage channels, having apertures that connect to the
drainage channels through the upper surface. The apertures are
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
arrangedtoformdrainageandaerationgrillesthatpassairinto,
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
and liquids from, overlying filtering media. The drainage
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
channels of the filter block provide for the conveyance of the
and are not considered standard.
filtered liquid away from the filter bed.
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
3.2.2.1 Type I-S and Type I-H filter block—one-piece units
test method portions shown in Annex A1 – Annex A3. This
suitable for constructing a single-course trickling filter floor.
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
3.2.3 lot—unless otherwise specified, a lot shall consist of
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
all filter block of each type of the contract or purchase order.
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
3.2.4 walls—Exterior vertical sides of vitrified clay filter
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
block.
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2.5 webs—interior supports separating channels of vitri-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
fied clay filter block.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4. Classification
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1 Filter block are manufactured in the following types:
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1.1 Type I-S, standard rate and
4.1.2 Type I-H, high rate.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2 The purchaser shall specify the type of filter block to be
2.1 ASTM Standards:
furnished.
C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement
C896 Terminology Relating to Clay Products
5. Ordering Information
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
5.1 Orders for filter block under this specification shall
3. Terminology
include the following information:
3.1 The definitions for clay, fire clay, shale, and surface clay
5.1.1 Quantity,
are as defined in Terminology C896.
5.1.2 Type of filter block,
5.1.3 ASTM designation and date of issue,
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
5.1.4 Required tests or certification, and
5.1.5 Inspection location; factory or point of delivery.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C04 on
Vitrified Clay Pipe and is the direct responsibility of Subcomittee C04.20 on
6. Materials and Manufacture
Methods of Test and Specifications
Current edition approved April 1, 2021. Published April 2021. Originally
6.1 Filterblockshallbeformedfromfireclay,shale,surface
approvedin1941.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2016asC159 - 06(2016).DOI:
clay, or a combination of these materials.
10.1520/C0159-06R21.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.2 Formed filter block shall be fired to a suitable tempera-
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
ture to yield a product that is strong, durable, and serviceable
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. and conforms to this specification.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C159 − 06 (2021)
7. Chemical Requirements 10.2 Blistersshallnotexceed2in.(51mm)indiameter,and
blisters or pimples shall not project more than ⁄8 in. (3 mm)
7.1 Acid Resistance—Acid-soluble matter in filter block
above the surface.
shall not exceed 0.25 % by weight when tested as specified in
10.3 Chips shall not exceed 2 in. (51 mm) in length, 1 in.
this specification in any of the following acids: sulfuric
(25 mm) in width, and a depth of ⁄16 in. (5 mm).
(H SO ), hydrochloric (HCl), nitric (HNO ), or acetic
2 4 3
(CH COOH).The test shall be performed only when specified. 1
10.4 Open cracks shall be no longer than 1 ⁄2 in. (38 mm)
and surface cracks no longer than 3 in. (76 mm). Open cracks
7.2 The purchaser shall designate the acid or acids to be
shall not extend through the upper surface from the end of the
used in this test.
filter block to an aperture opening, nor between aperture
openings.
8. Physical Properties
8.1 Compressive Strength—Compressive strength tests shall 11. Sampling
be performed on full- or half-size block.The average compres-
11.1 Selection of Test Specimens—Full- or half-size filter
sive strength of filter block units shall be at least 450 psi (3.1
block shall be selected by the purchaser or his representative at
mPa), and no individual unit shall have a compressive strength
points he designates when placing the order. Specimens shall
less than 400 psi (2.8 mPa). The compressive strength shall be
meet the dimensions, workmanship, finish, and appearance
calculated on the gross area of the block.
requirements of this specification.
8.2 Absorption—The average absorption of five filter block,
11.2 Number of Specimens—Thenumberofspecimenstobe
determined by 1-h submersion in boiling water, shall not
tested shall be at least five full-size or half-size filter block
exceed 6 % by weight.
selected from each lot, except the acid resistance tests shall be
tested on one specimen from each lot. Additional specimens
9. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
may be tested at the discretion of the purchaser.
9.1 Aperture—The smallest dimension of an aperture in
11.3 Identification—Each specimen shall be marked so that
Type I-S and I-H filter block shall not exceed 1 ⁄2 in. (38 mm),
it may be identified at any time. Filter block specimen
and the total aperture area shall be at least 20 % of the top area.
markings shall not cover more than 5 % of the superficial area
of the specimen.
9.2 Drainage Channels:
9.2.1 The drainage channel cross-sectional area shall be
12. Retesting
defined as the channel area lying below the lowest level of the
12.1 If test specimens from a lot fail to meet compressive
aperture. Minimum cross-sectional area of drainage channels
strength,absorption,oracidresistancerequirements,themanu-
in filter block shall be as shown in the following table:
facturer or seller may sort the shipment into two lots. New
Drainage Channel Cross-Sectional Area
samples shall be selected by the purchaser from the lot to be
2 2
retained. If the set of test specimens from the retained lot fails
Type Area, min, in. /ft (cm /m) of width
I-S 20 (425)
to meet these requirements, the retained lot shall also be
I-H 40 (850)
rejected.
9.2.2 Drainage channels of filter block shall be curved or
13. Test Methods
narrowed at the bottom to maintain velocity in the channels at
low flow.
13.1 Physical and chemical tests shall be conducted in
accordance with the procedures described in Annex A1 –
9.2.3 The minimum depth of drainage channels in filter
block shall be 2 ⁄2 in. (64 mm), measured from the lowest level Annex A3.
of the aperture.
14. Inspection
9.2.4 There shall be at least two parallel drainage channels
14.1 Filter block shall be subject to inspection by the
per foot (0.3 m) of width of Type I-S and I-H filter block.
purchaser or the purchaser’s representative. Inspection shall be
9.3 Exterior Walls and Interior Webs—Thicknessofexterior
made at the factory or promptly at the point and time of
wallsinTypeI-SandI-Hfilterblockshallbeatleast ⁄16in.(14
delivery.Thepurposeofthisinspectionistodeterminewhether
mm) and interior webs separating drainage channels shall be at
the filter block meet the dimension, workmanship, appearance,
least ⁄2 in. (13 mm).
and marking requirements of this specification.
9.4 Permissible Variations in Dimensions:
14.2 Filter block that do not meet the dimensions,
9.4.1 Exterior dimensions of filter block shall be the dimen-
workmanship, appearance, and marking specifications shall be
sions stated by the manufacturer, 6 ⁄4 in./ft (21 mm/m).
rejected and replaced by the manufacturer or seller with filter
9.4.2 The lower bearing surface of filter block shall not vary
blocks that meet the specifications.
from a plane by more than ⁄16 in.⁄ft (16 mm/m) of the greatest
14.3 If the purchaser desires compressive strength,
dimension of the block.
absorption, and acid resistance tests, the purchaser shall select
filter block for testing in accordance with the sampling
10. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
proceduresofthisspecification.Tendaysshallbeallowedafter
10.1 Filter block shall be substantially free of laminations. sampling for completion of testing.
C159 − 06 (2021)
14.4 The cost of initial inspection and testing shall be borne 16.1.1 Manufacturer’s name and
by the purchaser.The cost of retesting because of failure of the
16.1.2 Type of filter block.
filter block to pass the initial test shall be borne by the
manufacturer.
17. Precision and Bias
15. Certification
17.1 No statements are made on the precision or bias of the
15.1 When specified in the purchase order or contract, a
test methods for measuring compressive strength, absorption
manufacturer’s certification shall be furnished to the purchaser
percentage, or acid resistance, (see Annexes) since confor-
stating that the material was manufactured, sampled, tested,
mance to specific criteria is the only measure for success
and inspected in accordance with this specification and has
specified in these test methods.
beenfoundtomeettherequirements.Areportofthetestresults
shall be furnished when required.
18. Keywords
16. Product Marking
18.1 clay blocks; drains; filters; filter drainage; media;
16.1 Identification marks shall be indented legibly on the media supports; support; trickling filters; underdrains
exterior of the filter block as follows:
SUPPLEMENTARY REQU
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