ASTM C1623-17a - 1.8.2017
 
1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers concrete masonry lintels (beams) that are solid in cross-section, are reinforced for flexure, and are made from hydraulic cement, water, and mineral aggregates with or without the inclusion of other materials. These lintels are suitable for both loadbearing and nonloadbearing applications.

Note 1: This specification covers only concrete masonry lintels containing reinforcement. Due to building code imposed limitations on the design of masonry lintels, all lintels must contain reinforcement. Concrete masonry lintels are not typically manufactured using shear reinforcement (stirrups or other vertical reinforcement). Therefore, this standard does not address issues related to such. For further guidance, refer to Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures, TMS 402. Prestressed concrete lintels are not covered by this standard.

1.2 Lintels are manufactured using a no-slump concrete mix to provide a surface texture similar to that of concrete masonry. This specification applies to both machine-made and hand-tamped concrete masonry lintels intended for use in concrete masonry applications.

1.3 Concrete masonry lintels covered by this specification are made from lightweight or normal weight aggregates, or both.

1.4 This specification does not address the design or analysis of lintel capacity. Structural evaluations must be performed separately. The strength of a lintel is a function of factors including, but not limited to, the characteristics of the materials used in manufacturing (concrete materials and reinforcement), the amount and location of reinforcement, and the manufacturing and curing procedures. For design and analysis methods, refer to Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures, TMS 402.

1.5 This specification does not cover U-shaped lintels or those of other cross-sections that are not 100 % solid.

1.6 This specification does not cover lintels of grouted concrete masonry lintels, or precast or cast-in-place lintels of slump concrete.

1.7 The text of this standard 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.

1.8 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.

1.9 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

C1262-10

Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Freeze-Thaw Durability of Dry-Cast Segmental Retaining Wall Units and Related Concrete Units

C1240-20

Standard Specification for Silica Fume Used in Cementitious Mixtures

A706/A706M-26a

Standard Specification for Deformed and Plain Low-Alloy Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement (Includes all amendments and changes 10/6/2026).

A996/A996M-24

Standard Specification for Rail-Steel and Axle-Steel Deformed Bars for Concrete Reinforcement

C33-07

Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates

C140-13

Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units

C150-07

Standard Specification for Portland Cement

C331-05

Standard Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete Masonry Units

C595-08

Standard Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements

C1232-26a

Standard Terminology for Masonry (Includes all amendments and changes 8/20/2026).

C1157-08

Standard Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement

C989-10

Standard Specification for Slag Cement for Use in Concrete and Mortars

C979-05

Standard Specification for Pigments for Integrally Colored Concrete

C618-26

Standard Specification for Coal Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete

A615/A615M-26

Standard Specification for Deformed and Plain Carbon-Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement