ASTM C1825-19

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Designation: C1825 − 18 C1825 − 19
Standard Guide for
Developing Specifications for Masonry Units
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1825; 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.
ε NOTE—Changes were editorially made throughout the standard in December 2018.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This guide provides general guidance for developing ASTM unit specification for masonry units manufactured with
constituent materials, manufacturing methods, and combinations thereof, that are not included in a current ASTM standard. This
guide shall not be construed as permitting the use of a product conflicting with requirements of the governing building code.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C1072 Test Methods for Measurement of Masonry Flexural Bond Strength
C1180 Terminology of Mortar and Grout for Unit Masonry
C1232 Terminology for Masonry
C1314 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Masonry Prisms
C1363 Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building Materials and Envelope Assemblies by Means of a Hot Box Apparatus
C1601 Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of Masonry Wall Surfaces
D3273 Test Method for Resistance to Growth of Mold on the Surface of Interior Coatings in an Environmental Chamber
D3345 Test Method for Laboratory Evaluation of Solid Wood for Resistance to Termites
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E90 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements
E119 Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials
E136 Test Method for Assessing Combustibility of Materials Using a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750°C
E514 Test Method for Water Penetration and Leakage Through Masonry
G154 Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Terminology defined in Terminologies C1180 and C1232 shall apply in this guide.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 non-traditional masonry units, n—masonry units manufactured from constituent materials, methods, or combination
thereof, that are not included in current ASTM masonry unit specifications.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C15.12 on
Alternative Masonry Materials and Related Units.
Current edition approved July 1, 2018Dec. 1, 2019. Published August 2018December 2019. Originally approved in 2018. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as
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C1532–18 . DOI: 10.1520/C1825–18E01.10.1520/C1825–19.
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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
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4. Background of Guide
4.1 Traditional masonry units, such as brick, structural clay tile and concrete masonry units, have a long history of use as well
as broad applications in masonry assemblies. Unit specifications and test methods for these masonry units are well established and
based on historical performance, empirical evidence, research, and testing. Applying existing unit specifications to non-traditional
masonry units may not address all pertinent properties necessary to ensure performance in real world applications.
4.2 As manufacturers continue to innovate, opportunities are created for units manufactured from non-traditional materials,
methods, or combination thereof, not currently covered by any existing ASTM masonry unit specification.
4.3 Non-traditional masonry units may require additional evaluation and assessment, in addition to those required of traditional
units, to ensure that the product is suitable for its intended use.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This guide is intended to provide guidance for developing ASTM unit specifications for nontraditional masonry units. The
user of this guide is encouraged to review the Form and Style for ASTM Standards as well as the referenced unit specifications
and test methods. Note that not all items presented in this guide are necessarily applicable or appropriate in all cases.
5.2 ASTM specifications are not intended for proprietary products, but rather for a class of products that multiple manufacturers
can produce, and are intended to ensure performance using those constituent materials or processes. Therefore, specific attributes
that only relate to a specific brand should be avoided.
5.3 This guide does not identify the complete range of considerations that may be required for a masonry unit manufactured
using a non-traditional material. Traditional masonry units possess intrinsic properties that are commonly associated with masonry
including but not limited to strength, fire resistance, durability, thermal and acoustical attributes.
5.4 Non-traditional masonry unit products may meet all the physical property requirements of an existing ASTM standard unit
specification, when tested using ASTM standard test methods. Nevertheless, performance of non-traditional masonry units is not
assured since the intrinsic properties that are associated with traditional masonry units and assemblies may not be specifically
evaluated through testing for specification compliance. Additionally, compliance with the physical properties in existing unit
specifications does not mean that non-traditional units are in compliance with those specifications as traditional unit standards are
only applicable to units produced with those materials and processes defined within that specification (refer to Appendix X1).
6. Procedure
6.1 Preparation:
6.1.1 Review the referenced Specifications, Test Methods, Terminology standards and Form and Style for ASTM Standards for
general background information and required sections and components. Include all mandatory sections described by the Form and
Style for ASTM Standards documents during the development of the unit specification.
NOTE 1—During this review, it may be determined that the product does not satisfy the definition of a manufactured masonry unit and is outside of
the scope of Committee C15. In that case, developing a unit specification under another ASTM committee can be considered.
6.1.2 The unit specification must be written in a manner to avoid contractual language.
6.1.3 Consider and develop mandatory and non-mandatory sections including but not limited to Scope, Referenced Documents,
Terminology and Ordering Information Sections (see Section 7). Modify accordingly as the specification is developed.
6.1.4 Select appropriate standard test methods to determine the required physical properties. All modifications to the standard
test methods should be identified.
7. Typical Sections
7.1 The following list of sections are typically provided in a unit specification. Depending on the scope of the non-traditional
unit specification some sections may not apply.
7.2 Materials and Manufacturing:
7.2.1 Constituent Material(s)—Define the range of constituent material(s) that may be used in the manufacture of the masonry
unit. Include constituent materials and any additives. Most traditional masonry unit specifications contain a list or range of
acceptable constituent materials. Such a listing may be appropriate for a non-traditional masonry unit standard. A performance
specification may also be considered, wherein constituent materials are not defined, and compliance is solely based on testing and
performance. There may be a wide range of materials allowed by the specification if specific performance criteria for the unit and
assemblage are defined.
7.2.2 Manufacturing Process—Define the manufacturing process and the mechanism(s) that bonds the materials in the unit.
7.2.3 Coating or Surface Treatments—Consideration should be given to whether coatings or surface treatments at point of
manufacture should or can be applied to the unit. The type and durability of those coatings should be established. There should
be a requirement that the effects of any coatings on the properties and performance of the unit and the assembly be identified and
where possible, quantified.
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7.3 Defects and Deficiencies—Provide limitations for defects and deficiencies that may interfere with the proper laying of the
unit or significantly impair the strength or performance of the construction.
7.4 Physical Properties—Physical properties are an important predictor of the unit performance as well as the performance of
unit assemblies. The physical property requirements of the specification should ensure that the masonry unit and unit assemblies
perform as required in use, both in the short-term and long-term, including consideration of the various environments to which the
unit and assembly likely will be exposed to in service. Consideration should be given whether different unit classifications will be
needed for different applications. These unit classifications will likely have different physical properties and specifications.
7.4.1 Strength—Minimum unit strength requirements may be required to ensure that when units are placed in an assembly, it
will possess sufficient strength to retain integrity for its intended application and use. Consideration needs to be given to whether
the units are intended to be used in non-structural facing or structural applications, or both. Typical strength requirements include
minimum compressive, flexural, and shear strengths. Effects of unit strengths on the structural performance of the assembly must
be considered including required, or limits on, mortar types or mortar properties should be stated so that the anticipated
performance is achieved. Strength may change with unit orientation and this should addressed in the standard.
7.4.2 Absorption—Consideration needs to be given as to whether maximum or minimum absorption requirements are necessary
to ensure adequate unit performance, compatibility of other materials in the assembly, and satisfactory minimum assembly
performance.
NOTE 2—Traditional masonry unit specifications have used absorption requirements as indicators of various properties, such as unit quality, durability,
compatibility with mortar, or combinations thereof. Some or all of these may be necessary with non-traditional masonry units.
7.4.3 Density—Some traditional masonry unit specifications have density requirements. Densities of some units manufactured
from traditional materials are dependent on the density of the material(s) within the unit. In addition, variations in the density of
these materials may affect the physical characteristics of the units. Consideration should be given as to whether density
requirements should be provided.
7.4.4 Soundness and Dimensional Stability—The ability of the unit to remain sound in use and to be dimensional stable needs
to be addressed in the unit standard through control of constituents and or unit characteristics.
7.4.5 Chemical Compatibility—Chemical compatibility of the units with other materials and components included in the
assembly, or commonly found in other construction assemblies to which the units or its assemblies join or junction is important
and needs to be addressed in the unit standard through control of constituents, unit characteristics, or notes for materials to avoid
in use.
7.4.6 Volume Change:
7.4.6.1 Moisture Expansion—Not all traditional masonry unit specifications provide moisture expansion requirements.
Consideration should be given as to whether cyclic moisture expansion requirements should be provided.
7.4.6.2 Linear Drying Shrinkage—Not all traditional masonry unit specifications provide linear drying shrinkage requirements.
Consideration should be given as to whether cyclic linear drying shrinkage requi
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