ASTM C140/C140M-16 - 1.6.2016
 
Significance and Use

4.1 These test methods provide general testing requirements for application to a broad range of concrete products. Those general testing requirements are included in the body of this standard.

Note 2: Consult manufacturer, supplier, product specifications, or other resources for more specific measurement or testing guidelines for those products not addressed with the annex of this standard.

4.2 These test methods provide specific testing requirements in two distinct sections, the requirements applicable to all units covered by these test methods and those applicable to the specific unit types. The requirements applicable to all units are included in the body of these test methods and those applicable to the specific unit types are included within the annexes.

 
1. Scope

1.1 These test methods provide various testing procedures commonly used for evaluating characteristics of concrete masonry units and related concrete units. Methods are provided for sampling, measurement of dimensions, compressive strength, absorption, unit weight (density), moisture content, flexural load, and ballast weight. Not all methods are applicable to all unit types, however.

1.2 Specific testing and reporting procedures are included in annexes to these test methods for the following specific unit types:

Annex A1—Concrete masonry units (Specifications C90, C129)

Annex A2—Concrete and calcium silicate brick
  (Specifications C55, C73, C1634)

Annex A3—Segmental retaining wall units (Specification C1372)

Annex A4—Concrete interlocking paving units
  (Specification C936/C936M)

Annex A5—Concrete grid paving units (Specification C1319)

Annex A6—Concrete roof pavers (Specification C1491)

Annex A7—Dry-cast articulating concrete block
 (Specification D6684)

1.3 The test procedures included in these test methods are also applicable to other types of units not referenced in these test methods, but specific testing and reporting requirements for those units are not included.

1.4 These test methods include the following sections:

 

Section

Scope            

1

Referenced Documents     

2

Terminology         

3

Significance and Use      

4

Sampling           

5

Measurement of Dimensions   

6

Compressive Strength     

7

Absorption          

8

Calculations          

9

Report            

10

Keywords           

11

Annexes—Test Procedures

 

Concrete Masonry Units     

Annex A1

Concrete and Calcium Silicate Brick 

Annex A2

Segmental Retaining
 Wall Units  

Annex A3

Concrete Interlocking Paving Units

Annex A4

Concrete Grid Paving
  Units    

Annex A5

Concrete Roof Pavers      

Annex A6

Dry-Cast Articulating
  Concrete Block

Annex A7

Determining Plate Thickness
  Requirements for
  Compression Testing    

Annex A8

Worksheet and Test Report for
 Concrete Masonry Units    

Appendix X1

Note 1: The testing laboratory performing these test methods should be evaluated in accordance with Practice C1093.

1.5 The text of this test method references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.

1.6 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.7 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

 
2. Referenced Documents

SP960-12

NIST Recommended Practice Guide Stopwatch and Timer Calibration Available at http://tf.nist.gov/general/pdf/2281.pdf

E6-23a

Standard Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing (Includes all amendments and changes 3/29/2023).

E4-21

Standard Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Testing Machines

D6684-18

Standard Specification for Materials and Manufacture of Articulating Concrete Block (ACB) Systems

C1634-23a

Standard Specification for Concrete Facing Brick and Other Concrete Masonry Facing Units (Includes all amendments and changes 12/20/2023).

C1552-23

Standard Practice for Capping Concrete Masonry Units, Related Units and Masonry Prisms for Compression Testing

C1319-23a

Standard Specification for Concrete Grid Paving Units (Includes all amendments and changes 12/20/2023).

C1372-23

Standard Specification for Dry-Cast Segmental Retaining Wall Units

C1491-19

Standard Specification for Concrete Roof Pavers (Withdrawn 2023)

C1093-23

Standard Practice for Accreditation of Testing Agencies for Masonry

C936/C936M-23a

Standard Specification for Solid Concrete Interlocking Paving Units (Includes all amendments and changes 12/20/2023).

C143/C143M-20

Standard Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement Concrete

C129-23

Standard Specification for Nonloadbearing Concrete Masonry Units

C90-23

Standard Specification for Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units

C1232-23

Standard Terminology for Masonry

C55-23

Standard Specification for Concrete Building Brick

C73-23

Standard Specification for Calcium Silicate Brick (Sand-Lime Brick)