Masonry units and masonry specimens are sometimes removed as part of an assessment of the condition of masonry construction. This document is intended to standardize the preparation of such units and masonry specimens for compressive and flexural bond strength testing.

Note 1—Masonry specimens removed from existing masonry construction (single wythe, multi-wythe or portions thereof) will sometimes contain mortar, grout, reinforcement, or accessory materials.

This practice provides information pertaining to the removal of hardened mortar, cleaning, and other special preparation required prior to compressive and flexural bond strength testing of a manufactured masonry unit or masonry specimen that has been removed from usage.

This practice does not address test procedures or the use of test results conducted on removed specimens. This practice does not determine whether removed masonry materials met original specification requirements.

Note 2—Compressive and flexural bond strength test results of masonry units and masonry specimens extracted from the field are expected to vary from and will likely be less than test results of masonry units that have not been placed in service or masonry prisms that have been constructed within a controlled environment. Comparison of results of tests conducted on specimens removed from service to those of masonry units prior to use or of constructed prisms is difficult. Considerable judgment is typically required for the selection and preparation of specimens removed from service.

1.1 The purpose of this practice is to standardize the preparation of manufactured masonry units and masonry specimens extracted from the field for compressive and flexural bond strength testing in a laboratory environment.

1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.3 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 to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.