Designation: C1634 − 15

Standard Specification for

Concrete Facing Brick1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1634; 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* C55 Specification for Concrete Building Brick

1.1 This specification covers solid, dry-cast, concrete facing C140 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete
brick intended for interior and exterior use in constructing Masonry Units and Related Units
structural and facing masonry components and are made from C150 Specification for Portland Cement
portland cement, water, and suitable mineral aggregates with or C331 Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete
without the inclusion of other materials. Masonry Units
C426 Test Method for Linear Drying Shrinkage of Concrete
NOTE 1—Specification C55 addresses concrete building brick used in Masonry Units
non-facing, utilitarian applications (previously referred to in earlier
C595 Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
editions of Specification C55 as Grade S—for general use where moderate
strength and resistance to frost action and moisture penetration are C618 Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined
required). This specification differs from Specification C55 in that it Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete
includes expanded consideration for properties of concrete brick used in C989 Specification for Slag Cement for Use in Concrete and
facing applications and other exposures (previously referred to in earlier Mortars
editions of Specification C55 as Grade N—for use as architectural veneer
and facing units in exterior walls and for use where high strength and
C1157 Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement
resistance to moisture penetration and severe frost action are desired). C1232 Terminology of Masonry
1.2 The text of this specification references notes and
3. Terminology
footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be 3.1 Terminology defined in Terminology C1232 shall apply
considered as requirements of the standard. for this specification.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical 3.2.1 concrete building brick, n—a concrete masonry unit,
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only with a maximum width of four (4) inches and of a weight that
and are not considered standard. will typically permit it to be lifted and placed with one hand,
NOTE 2—Concrete facing brick covered by this specification are made that is manufactured for general use in non-facing, utilitarian
from lightweight or normal weight aggregates, or both. applications.
NOTE 3—When particular features are desired, such as density
classification, high compressive strength, surface textures for appearance 3.2.2 concrete facing brick, n—a concrete masonry unit,
or bond, finish, color, fire resistance, insulation, acoustical properties, or with a maximum width of four (4) inches and of a weight that
other special features, such properties should be specified separately by will typically permit it to be lifted and placed with one hand,
the purchaser. Suppliers should be consulted as to the availability of that is manufactured to be typically used in an application
concrete facing brick having the desired features. where one or more faces of the unit is intended to be exposed.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Materials and Manufacture
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
C33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates 4.1 Cementitious Materials—Materials shall conform to the
following applicable specifications:
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on 4.1.1 Portland Cement—Specification C150.
Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 4.1.2 Modified Portland Cement—Portland cement con-
C15.03 on Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units.
forming to Specification C150, modified as follows:
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2015. Published September 2015. Originally
approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as C1634 – 11. DOI: 4.1.2.1 Limestone—Calcium carbonate, with a minimum
10.1520/C1634-15.
2
85 % CaCO3 content, is permitted to be added to the cement,
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
provided these requirements of Specification C150 as modified
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on are met:
the ASTM website. (1) Limitation on Insoluble Residue—1.5 %.

*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

1
 C1634 − 15
(2) Limitation on Air Content of Mortar—Volume percent, NOTE 5—Standard dimensions of concrete facing brick are the manu-
22 % max. facturer’s designated dimensions. Nominal dimensions of modular size
concrete facing brick are equal to the standard dimensions plus the
(3) Limitation on Loss on Ignition—7 %. thickness of one mortar joint. Nominal dimensions of nonmodular size
4.1.3 Blended Hydraulic Cements—Specification C595. concrete facing brick usually exceed the standard dimensions by 1⁄8 to 1⁄4
4.1.4 Hydraulic Cement—Specification C1157. in. (3.2 to 6.4 mm).
4.1.5 Pozzolans—Specification C618. 6.1.1 For those units with faces altered for aesthetic
4.1.6 Blast Furnace Slag Cement—Specification C989. purposes, overall dimensional tolerances apply only to those
4.2 Aggregates—Aggregates shall conform to the following dimensions not affected by the altering.
specifications, except that grading requirements shall not NOTE 6—For such units, dimensions will vary. Consult with suppliers to
necessarily apply: determine achievable dimensional tolerances.
4.2.1 Normal Weight Aggregates—Specification C33.
6.2 For cored concrete facing brick, the net cross-sectional
4.2.2 Lightweight Aggregates—Specification C331.
area in any plane parallel to the surface containing the cores
4.3 Other Constituents—Air-entraining agents, coloring shall be at least 75 % of the gross cross-sectional area
pigments, integral water repellents, finely ground silica, and measured in the same plane. No part of any hole shall be less
other constituents shall be previously established as suitable for than 3⁄4 in. (19.1 mm) from any edge of the unit.
use in concrete masonry units and shall conform to applicable
ASTM standards or shall be shown by test or experience not to 7. Finish and Appearance
be detrimental to the durability of the concrete masonry units
7.1 All units shall be sound and free of cracks or other
or any material customarily used in masonry construction.
defects that interfere with the proper placement of the units or
5. Physical Requirements significantly impair the strength or permanence of the construc-
5.1 At the time of delivery to the purchaser, units shall tion. Minor cracks incidental to the usual method of manufac-
conform to the physical requirements prescribed in Table 1. ture or minor chipping resulting from customary methods of
5.1.1 When higher compressive strengths than those listed handling in shipment and delivery are not grounds for rejec-
in Table 1 are specified, the tested average net area compres- tion.
sive strength of three units shall equal or exceed the specified 7.2 Where units are to be used in exposed wall construction,
compressive strength, and the following single unit strength the faces shall not show chips or cracks not otherwise
requirements shall apply. permitted or other imperfections when viewed from a distance
5.1.1.1 When the specified compressive strength is less than of not less than 20 ft (6.1 m) under diffused lighting.
5000 psi, no single unit net area compressive strength test 7.2.1 Five percent of a shipment containing chips, not larger
result shall be less than the specified compressive strength than 1⁄2 in. (12.7 mm) in any dimension, or cracks not wider
minus 500 psi. than 0.02 in. (0.5 mm) and not longer than 25 % of the nominal
5.1.1.2 When the specified compressive strength is 5000 psi height of the unit, is permitted.
or greater, no single unit net area compressive strength test 7.3 The color and texture shall be specified by the purchaser.
result shall be less than 90 % of the specified compressive The exposed faces shall conform to an approved sample
strength. consisting of not less than four units, representing the range of
5.2 At the time of delivery to the purchaser, the total linear texture and range of color permitted.
drying shrinkage of units shall not exceed 0.065 % when tested
in accordance with Test Method C426. 8. Methods of Sampling and Testing
NOTE 4—The purchaser is the public body or authority, association,
corporation, partnership, or individual entering into a contract or agree-
8.1 The purchaser or authorized representative shall be
ment to purchase or install, or both, concrete facing brick. The time of accorded proper facilities to inspect and sample the concrete
delivery to the purchaser is FOB plant when the purchaser or the facing brick at the place of manufacture from the lots ready for
purchaser’s agent transports the concrete facing brick, or at the time delivery.
unloaded at the worksite if the manufacturer or the manufacturer’s agent
transports the concrete facing brick. 8.2 Compressive strength, absorption, density, and dimen-
sional tolerances shall be based on tests of concrete facing
6. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations brick of any configuration or dimensions made with the same
6.1 No overall dimension (width, height, and length) shall materials, concrete mix design, manufacturing process, and
differ by more than 61⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) from the specified curing method, conducted in accordance with Test Methods
standard dimensions. C140 and within 12 months of production of the units.
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) 15 (240) 17 (272) 3500 (24.1) 3000 (20.7)
Medium Weight 105 to less than 125 (1680–2000) 13 (208) 15 (240) 3500 (24.1) 3000 (20.7)
Normal Weight 125 (2000) or more 10 (160) 12 (192) 3500 (24.1) 3000 (20.7)
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.

2
 C1634 − 15
8.3 Total linear drying shrinkage shall be based on tests of ments. If the second sample fails to meet the specified physical
concrete facing brick of any configuration or dimensions made requirements, the remaining portion of the shipment repre-
with the same materials, concrete mix design, manufacturing sented by the sample fails to meet the specified physical
process, and curing method, conducted in accordance with Test requirements.
Method C426 and within 24 months of production of the units.
NOTE 7—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 physical 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; brick; compressive strength; concrete
physical requirements, the remaining portion of the shipment brick; concrete building brick; concrete facing brick; concrete
represented by the sample meets the specified physical require- masonry units; linear drying shrinkage; portland cement

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C15 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (C1634 – 11)
that may impact the use of this standard. (September 1, 2015)

(1) Section 8 was revised to add a 12 month frequency for

C140 tests.

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the Copyright Clearance Center, 222
Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: (978) 646-2600; http://www.copyright.com/