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flUlt) C 90 - 05
Desiqnation:
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for
StandardSpecification
LoadbearingConcreteMasonryUnitsl
This stanrlardis issuedunderthe fixed rlesignationC 90; the numberimmediatelyfollowing the designationindicatesthe year of original
adoptionor, in the caseof revision, the year of last revision.A numberin parentheses
indicatesthe year of last reapproval.A superscript
epsilon (e) indicatesan editorial changesince the last revision or reapp'oval'

ThLsstandard has been approvedfor use b1tagencies o.f the l)epartment of Defense

1. Scope* C 426 Test Method for Linear Drying Shrinkage of Con-

crete Masonry Units
1.1 This specificationcovers hollow and solid (see5.3 and
C 595 Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
-5.4) concrete masonry units made from hydraulic cement, C 618 Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined
water, and mineral aggregateswith or without the inclusion of
Natural Pozzolan for Use as a Mineral Admixture in
other materials. There are three classes of concrete masonry
Concrete
units: (1) normal weight, (2) medium'weight, and (3) light-
C 989 Specification for Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace
weight. These units are suitable for both loadbearing and
' ":,rra: Slag for Use in Concrete and Mortars
nontadbearing applications.
C ll57 Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement
1.2 Concretemasonry units covered by this specificationare
C l2?g Terminology of Concrete Masonry Units and Re-
made from lightweight or nonnal weight aggregates,or both.
lated Units
1.3 The text of this standardreferencesnotes and footnotes
C 1232 Terminology of Masonry
which provide explanatory material' These notes and footnotes
C 1314 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Masonry
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
Prisms
as requirements of the standard.
E 519 Test Method for Diagonal Tension (Shear) in Ma-
1.4 The values statedin inch-pound units are to be regarded
sonry Assemblages
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
E 72 Methods for Conducting Strength Tests of Panels fbr
information only.
Building Construction
Nore l-When particularfeaturesaredesiredsuchas surfacetextures
for appearance or bond,finish,color,or penticular propertiessuchas 3. Terminology
weightclassification,highercompressive strength, thermal
fireresistance,
3.1 Terminology defined in Terminology C 1209 and Ter-
performance performance,
or acoustical these1'eaturesshouldbe specified
by thepurchaser. Localsuppliers shouldbeconsulted asto the minology C 1232 shall apply for this specification.
separately
availabilityof unitshavingthe desiredfeatures.
4. Materials
2. Referenced Documents 4.1 CementitiousMaterials-Materials shall confbrm to the
2.1 ASTM Standards:z following applicable specifications:
C 33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates 4.7.1 Portland Cem.ent-SpecificationC 150.
C 140 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete 4.I.2 Modified Ponland Cement-Portland cement con-
Masonry Units and Related Units forming to Specification C 150, modified as follows:
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement (I) Limestone-If calcium carbonate is added to the
C 331 Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Con- cement, the CaCO. content shall not be less than 85 Vc.
crete Masonry Units (2) Limitation on Insohtble Resi.due-l .5 Vo.
(3) Limitation on Air Content of Mortar-Yolume percent,
22Vo max.
(4) Limitation on Loss on lgnition--:7 Vo.
I This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on
4.1.3 Blended Hydraulic Cements-Specification C 595.
Manuf'acturedMasonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 4.1.4 Hydraulic Cement-Specification C 11-57.
C15.03 on ConcreteMasonry Units and RelatedUnits.
Current edition approved Feb. l. 2005. Published April 2005. Originally 4.1.5 Pozzolans-SpecificationC 618.
approvedin 1931. Last previousedition approvedin 2003 as C 90-03' 4.1.6 Blast Furnace Slag Cement-Specification C 989.
2 For referencedASTM standards,visit the ASTM rvebsite,w*'w.astm'org, or
4.2 Aggregafes-Aggregates shall conform to the following
contactASTM CustomerServiceat service@astmorg. For Ann'ualBook of ASTM
volume infonnation,refer to the standard'sDocumentSummarypageon
Stantlarul.s
specifications, except that grading requirements shall not
the ASTM website. necessarily apply:

*A Surnmary of Changessection appears at the end of this standard'

CopyrightO ASTNI International,100 Batr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United Slates.
 {$pceo-05
4.2.1 Normal Weight Aggregates-SpecificationC 33.
4.2.2 Li ghmeight Aggregales-Specifi cation C 331.
4.3 Other Constituents-Air-entraining agents, coloring
pigments, integral water repellents, finely ground silica, and
other constituentsshall be previously establishedas suitable for
use in concrete masonry units and shall conform to applicable
ASTM standardsor shall be shown by test or experiencenot to
be detrimental to the durability of the concrete masonry units
or any material customarily used in masonry construction.
5. Physical Requirements Physical Reqrrirements
5.1 At the time of delivery to the purchaser, units shall
conform to the physical requirementsprescribedin Table I and
Table 2.
NorE 2-Higher cornpressive strengthsthanthoselistedin Table2 may
be specifiedwhererequiredby design.Consultwith local suppliersto
determineavailabilityof unitsof highercompressive strength.
5.2 At the time of delivery to tlrq purchaser, the linear
shrinkage of units shall not exceed 0.065 7o.
Norr 3-The purchaseris the public body or authority,uSro.iutio-iil"'o'' 6.2 Partictilar Feqture Units-For perticular feature units,
corporation, partnership,or individualenteringinto a contractor agree-
mentto purchase or instaLll,or both,concrete masonryunits.Thetimeof
delivery to the purchaseris FOB plant when the purchaseror the
purchaser's agenttransports the concretemasonryunits,or at the time
unloaded at theworksiteif themanufacturer or themanufacturer's agent from the specified standarddimension. Dimensions of molded
transports theconcrete masonryunits.
5.3 Hollovv Units:
5.3.1 Face shell thickness(tt ) and web thickness(t-) shall
conform to the requirementsprescribed in Table 1.
Noru 4-Web thickness(L) not conforming to the requirements hex-shapes,
prescribed in Tablc I may be approved, provided equivalent structural
TABLE1 MinimumThicknessof FaceShellsand Webs
Web Thickness (t-)
*"uill,H"llff'" EquivalentWeb
capability has been establishedwhen tested in accordancewith the
applicable provisions of Test Methods 872, C 1314, E 5i9, or other
applicable tests and the appropriate design criteria developed is in
accordancewith applicablebuilding codes.
5.4 Solid Units:
5.4.1 The net cross-sectionalarea of solid units in every
plane parallel to the bearing surfaceshall be not less than75 Vo
of the gross cross-sectionalarea measuredin the same plane.
5.5 End Flanges:
5.5.1 For units having end flanges, the thickness of each
flange shall not be less than the minimum face shell thickness.
Nore 5-Flangesbeveledat the endsfor mortarless headjoint appli-
cationsthat will be filled with groutareexemptfrom this requirement.
Flanges whicharespeciallyshaped headjoint applications
for mortarless
which have been shownby testingor field experienceto provide
equivalentperformance areexemptfrom thisrequirement.
6. Permissible Variations in Dimensions
6.1 Standard Units-For standardunits, no overall dimen-
sion (width, height, and length) shall differ by more than +Vs
in. (3.2 mm) from the specifieddimensions.
dimensions shall be in accordancewith the following:
6.2.1 For molded face units, no overall dimension (width,
height, and length) shall differ by more than :Va in. (3.2 mm)
featuresshall be within a%e in. (1.6 mm) of the specified
standarddimensions and shall be within + t/rc in. ( 1.6 mm) of
the specified placement of the molded feature.
NorB6-Molded featuresinclude.but arenot limitedto: r'ibs.scores,
andpatterns.
6.2.2 For split-faced units, all non-split overall dimensions
shall differ by not more than +Ve in. (3.2 mm) from the
specified standard dimensions. On faces that are split, overall
dimension will vary. Consult with local suppliers to determine
achievable dimensional tolerances.

ftii*j** w?:fimn,
n Thickness,min, 6.2.3 For slump units, no overall height dimension shall
in./linearft8'c differ by more than -+/s in. (3.2 mm) from the specified
(mm/linearm) standarddimension. On faces that are slumped, overall dimen-
3 (76.2)and 4 (102) 3/a (19) 3/t (19) 1% (136) sions will vary. Consult with local suppliers to determine
6 (15 2 ) 1 (2s)D 1 (25) 21/q(188)
achievable dimensional tolerances.
8 {203) 1V4 p2)D 1 (25) (188)
2%
10 (2s4) 13la (35)D 11/a(29) 21/e(209)
7. Finish and Appearance
11/+ (32)D'E
12 (305) and greater 1V, (38) 1Ve (29\ 21/z(209) 7.1 All units shall be sound urd free of cracks or other
11/t (32)D'E
defects that interfere with the proper placement of the unit or
AAverage of measurements on 3 units taken at the thinnest point when
significantly impair the strengthor perrnanenceof the construc-
measuredas describedin Test MethodsC 140. When this standardis used for split
face units, nol more than 10 % of a split face shell area shall be less than shown, tion. Minor cracks, incidental to the usual method of manufac-
and the face shell thicknessin this area shall be not less than % in. (19.'l mm). ture or minor chipping resulting from customary methods of
When the units are solid grouted the 10 o/. limit does not apply. handling in shipment and delivery, are not grounds for rejec-
aAverage of measurements on 3 units taken at the thinnest point when
measured as described in Test Methods C 140. The minimum web thickness for tion.
unitswith webs closerthan 1 in. (25.4 mm) apart shall be3/+in. (19.1 mm). 1.2 Where units are to be used in exposedwall construction,
c Sum of the measuredthicknessesot all webs in the unit,multipliedby 12 and
the face or faces that are to be exposed shall not show chips or
divided by the length of the unit. Equivalentweb thickness does not apply to the
portionof the unit to be filled with grout.The lengthof that portionshall be deducted cracks, not otherwise permitted, or other imperfections when
from the overall length ol the unit for the calculation of the equivalent web viewed from a distance of not less than 20 ft (6.1 m) under
thickness.
D For solidgroutedmasonryconstruction, minimumJaceshellthicknessshallbe
diffused lighting.
not less than % in. (.16mm). 7.2.1 Fle percentof a shipmentcontainingchips,not larger
EThis face shell thickness(t.) is applicablewhere allowabledesign load is
than 1 in. (25.4 mm) in any dimension, or cracks not wider than
reduced in proportion to the reduction in thickness from basic tace shell thick-
nesses shown, except that allowabledesign loads on solid grouled units shall not
0.02 in. (0.5 mm) and not longer than 25 Vo of the nominal
be reduced. height of the unit, is permitted.

TABLE 2 Strength, Absorption, and Weight Classification Requirements
MinimumNet Area
CompressiveStrength
- l..tnit tzOO(tt.z)
tnOiviOLrat
A Average oven-drydensity,based on a set of three units, shall fall within ranges defined in the table to be classifiedas lightweight,medium weight, or normal weight.
7.3 The color and texture of units shall be specified by the
purchaser.The finished surfacesthat will be exposed in place
shall conform to an approved sample, consisting of not less
than four units, representing the range of texture and color
permitted.
7.4 A shipment shall not contain more than 5 7o of units,
including broken units, that do not meet the requirements of
6 .1 , 7 . 1, 7. 2, and7. 2 .1 .
8. Sampling and Testing
8.1 The purchaser or authorized representative shall be
accordedproper facilities to inspect and sample the units at thE:+' testsis typicallyborneasfollows:(1) if theresultsof thetestsshowthat
place of manufacture from the lots ready for delivery.
and test units in accordance with Test Methods
8.2 Sample
c r40.
8.3 Total linear drying shrinkage shall be based on tests of
concretemasonry units made with the samematerials,concrete
mix design, manufacturing process, and curing method, con-
ducted in accordancewith Test Method C 126 and not more
than 24 months prior to delivery.
9. Compliance
9.1 If a sample fails to conform to the specified require-
ments, the manufacturer shall be permitted to remove units
(Nonmandatory
XI. WATER PENETRATION
X1.1 Exterior walls are often subjected to moisture pen-
etration from one or more sources. For example, basement
walls may be exposed to water from saturated soil. Above-
grade exterior walls are usually exposed to wind-driven rain.
To prevent water penetration, proper detailing, construction,
X2.L Restrained or differential movement in building
elements and building materials can result in cracking. Some
common causesof movement are: loads created by wind, soil
pressure,seismic forces, or other external sources; settlement
of foundations; or volume changesin materials. For example,
volume changes in concrete masoffy units can be caused by
moisture gain and loss, thermal expansionand contraction, and
carbonation. To limit and control cracking due to these and
,fipceo-05
Maximum Water tbltt3
ofG
, Less Than 105 MediumWeight,105 to
(1680) Less than 125 (1680-2000) or more
ZO(SZO) tz (ZzZ) tS (Z+O)
from the shipment. A new sample shall be selected by the
purchaser from remaining units from the shipment with a
similar configuration and dimension and tested at the expense
of the manufacturer.If the second sample meets the specified
requirements, the remaining ponion of the shipment repre-
sented by the sample meets the specified requirements.If the
second sample fails to meet the specified requirements, the
remaining portion of the shipment representedby the sample
fails to meet the specified requirements.
Nors 7-Unless otherwisespecified in thepurchase order,thecostof
theunitsdo notconformto therequirements thecost
of thisspecification,
is typicallyborne by the (2) if theresultsof thetestsshowtharthe
seller;
unitsconformto thespecification requirements, thecostis typicallyborne
by the purchaser.
10. Keywords
10.1 absorption; concrete masonry units; equivalent web
thickness; face shell; flange; lightweight; linear shrinkage;
loadbearing; medium weight; normal weight; webs
APPENDTXES
Information)
RESISTANCE
flashing, and drainage should be provided. Proper water
penetration resistanttreatmentsshould be applied to the walls.
While it is not within the scopeof Specification C 90 to include
information on resistanceto water penetration, such informa-
tion and guidelines are available from other organizations.
X2. CRACKCONTROL
other causes,proper design, detailing, construction, and mate-
rials are necessary.Specification C 90 provides a maximum
limitation on the total linear drying shrinkage potential of the
units, but it is not within the scope of this specification to
address other design, detailing, construction, or material rec-
ommendations.This type of information and related guidelines
for crack control are available from other orsanizations.
 ceo-os
,($fp
SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C15 has identified the location of selectedchangesto this standardsince the last issue (C 90 - 03)
that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) Table ? was modified to define individual unit requirements (2) Footnote A in Table 2 was rewritten to define that weight
for water absorption. classifications shall be determined based on oven-dry density.

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in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validw of any sueh patent ights, 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 reapprcved or withdrawn- Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and shoutd be addressed to ASTM lnternational Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
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make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

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tJnited States. lndividual reprinti (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
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