NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.

Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.

Designation: C 34 – 96 (Reapproved 2001)

Standard Specification for

Structural Clay Load-Bearing Wall Tile1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 34; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification covers structural clay loading-bearing 2.1 ASTM Standards:
wall tile. Two grades of tile are covered, as follows: C 43 Terminology of Structural Clay Products2
1.1.1 Grade LBX—Suitable for general use in masonry C 67 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and
construction and adapted for use in masonry exposed to Structural Clay Tile2
weathering, provided they meet the durability requirements for C 216 Specification for Facing Brick (Solid Masonry Units
Grade SW of Specification C 216. Made from Clay or Shale)2
1.1.2 Grade LB—Suitable for general use in masonry where
not exposed to frost action, or for use in exposed masonry 3. Physical Properties
where protected with a facing of 3 in. (76.2 mm) or more of 3.1 Structural clay load-bearing wall tile shall conform to
stone, brick, terra cotta, or other masonry. the physical properties for the grade specified as prescribed in
1.1.3 If tile having a particular color, texture, or finish are Table 1.
desired, these features shall be specified separately by the 3.2 Tile of Grade LBX shall be accepted under all condi-
purchaser. tions instead of Grade LB.
3.3 End-construction tile are tile designed to be placed in
NOTE 1—Color of tile varies with the type of clay used and degree of
burning; hence, it cannot be taken as indicative of classification until after the wall with axes of the cells vertical. Side-construction tile
it has been related to absorption and strength by actual tests. are tile designed to be placed in the wall with the axes of the
cells horizontal. Where end-construction tile are used on the
1.2 The property requirements of this standard apply at the
side they shall conform to the requirements of side-
time of purchase. The use of results from testing of tile
construction tile and vice versa.
extracted from masonry structures for determining conform-
3.4 Bonding tile shall be so designed as to provide recesses
ance or non-conformance to the property requirements (Section
for header brick courses when laid up in brick-faced walls.
3) of this standard is beyond the scope of this standard.
1.3 Tile covered by this standard are manufactured from 4. Number of Cells
clay, shale, or similar naturally occurring substances and
4.1 Load-bearing tile shall conform to the following re-
subjected to a heat treatment at elevated temperatures (firing).
quirements for minimum number of cellsA in the direction of
The heat treatment must develop sufficient fired bond between wall thickness (see Note 2 for approximate weights of tile):
the particulate constituents to provide the strength and dura-
Nominal Horizontal Minimum Number of
bility requirements of this specification. (See firing and fired Thickness of CellsA in Direction of
bond in Terminology C 43.) Tile as Laid in Wall, in. (mm) Wall Thickness
1.4 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes 4 (101.6) 1
6 (152.4) 1
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes 8 (203.2) 2
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered 10 (254.0) 2
as requirements of the standard. 12 (304.8) 3
A
Cells are hollow spaces enclosed within the perimeter of the exterior shells,
and having a minimum dimension of not less than 1⁄2 in. (12.7 mm) and a
cross-sectional area of not less than 1 in.2 (6.5 cm2).
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on Fire-resistance regulations of governing codes should be checked as to type of
tile required.
Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C15.02 on Brick and Structural Clay Tile.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1996. Published January 1997. Originally
2
published as C 34 – 21 T. Last previous edition C 34 – 93. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.

C 34
TABLE 1 Physical Properties
Maximum Water Minimum Compressive Strength (Based on Gross Area),B psi (MPa)
AbsorptionA by 1-h Boiling, % End Construction Tile Side Construction Tile
Grade
Average of Average of Average of
Individual Individual Individual
Five Tests Five Tests Five Tests
LBX 16 19 1400 (9.6) 1000 (6.8) 700 (4.8) 500 (3.4)
LB 25 28 1000 (6.8) 700 (4.8) 700 (4.8) 500 (3.4)
A
The range in percentage absorption for tile delivered to any one job shall be not more than 12.
B
Gross area of a unit shall be determined by multiplying the horizontal face dimension of the unit as placed in the wall, by its thickness.

NOTE 2—The following average masses of structural clay load-bearing tile, modular or nonmodular, available in the locality under consideration
wall tile are given only as information: and should specify accordingly, stating the size and type represented by
Nominal Horizontal the available tile.
Thickness of Tile as Average mass, lb/ft2 Modular sizes are designated by the specified nominal dimensions
Laid in Wall, in. (mm) (kg/m2) of tileA which are equal to the actual manufactured dimensions plus the thickness
4 (101.6) 20 (97.6) of one mortar joint, not to exceed 1⁄2 in. (12.7 mm) (see Section 5.) For
6 (152.4) 30 (146.4)
8 (203.2) 36 (175.7)
example, if the modular, specified, or nominal dimensions of a unit are 4
10 (254.0) 42 (205.0) by 8 by 12 in. (101.6 by 203.2 by 304.8 mm) the actual manufactured
12 (304.8) 52 (253.8) dimensions may be 31⁄2 by 71⁄2 by 111⁄2 in. (88.9 by 190.5 by 292.1 mm).
A
The masses given in the above table are for scored tile. If any of the faces are
not scored the weights are increased 1 lb/ft2 of unscored area.
6. Permissible Variations in Dimensions
4.2 In double-shell tile, the two voids between exterior and 6.1 No over-all dimension shall vary more than 3 % over or
interior shells on the sides of the tile shall be considered as one under the specified dimension for any form or size of tile.
cell in thickness of wall when their combined width is not less
than 1⁄2 in. (12.7 mm) provided the short webs between the 7. Finish
inner and outer shells are not greater in number of thickness 7.1 The finish of the outer face or faces of tile shall be
than the long transverse webs holding the inner shells. plaster-base finish or exposed wall finish as specified in the
4.3 Re-entrant spaces not less than 1 in. (25.4 mm) in depth invitation for bids.
and not less than 1 in.2 (6.5 cm2) in area, which form cells 7.2 Surfaces of tile for plaster-base finish shall be smooth,
when the units are laid in the walls, shall be considered as cells scored, combed, or roughened. When smooth, the tile shall be
in the direction of wall thickness, but not in the units. free of glaze and the absorption shall be not less than 5 % nor
more than 25 %. When scored, each groove shall be not less
5. Shell and Web Thickness than 1⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) nor more than 1⁄4 in. (6.4 mm) in depth,
5.1 The average over-all thickness of the shells, measured and not more than 1 in. (25.4 mm) in width. The area covered
between the inner and extreme outer surfaces of end- by the grooves shall not exceed 50 % of the area of the scored
construction load-bearing tile, shall be not less than 3⁄4 in. (19 faces. When combed, the tile shall be scratched or scarified,
mm) except that in double-shell tile the combined average prior to burning, by mechanical means which shall make
over-all thickness of the inner and outer shell shall be not less scratches or scarifications on the surface of the tile not less than
1⁄16 in., nor more than 1⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) in depth, and not more
than 3⁄4 in. The thickness of the webs shall be not less than 1⁄2
in. (12.7 mm). than 1⁄4 in. apart. When roughened, the die skin on the face of
5.2 The average over-all thickness of the shells, measured the tile shall be entirely broken by mechanical means, such as
between the inner and extreme outer surfaces of side- wire cutting or wire brushing. (The die skin may be observed
construction load-bearing tile, shall be not less than 5⁄8 in. (15.8 within the cells of the tile.)
mm) except that in double-shell tile the combined average 7.3 Surfaces of tile with exposed finish shall be smooth,
over-all thickness of the inner and outer shells shall be not less combed, or roughened. Combed or roughened tile surfaces
than 3⁄4 in. (19 mm). The thickness of the webs shall be not less shall conform to the requirements for these finishes given in
than 1⁄2 in. (12.7 mm). 7.2.
5.3 The width of any cell in side-construction tile, measured
in the direction of wall thickness, shall not exceed four and one 8. Sampling and Testing
half times the average over-all thickness of either the upper or 8.1 The purchaser or his authorized representative shall be
lower bearing shell. If no cell in side-construction tile, mea- accorded proper facilities for sampling and inspection of units
sured in the direction of the wall thickness, exceeds four times both at the place of manufacture and at the site of the work. At
the average over-all thickness of either the upper or lower least 10 days from the time of sampling is allowed for
bearing shell, the requirements for minimum shell and web completion of the tests.
thickness specified in 5.2 shall be waived. 8.2 Tile shall be sampled and tested in accordance with Test
5.4 The thickness of bonding and other types of tile manu- Methods C 67.
factured for use in combination with brick or other materials is
permitted to vary from the nominal thicknesses indicated in 9. Visual Inspection
Section 4, as required by construction requirements. 9.1 All tile shall be reasonably free of laminations and of
NOTE 3—Purchasers and designers should ascertain the type and size of cracks, blisters, surface roughness, and other defects that

2
 NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.

C 34
would interfere with the proper setting of the tile or impair the 11. Expense of Tests
strength or permanence of the construction.
11.1 Except as specified in Section 10, and unless otherwise
10. Rejection agreed, the expense of inspection and testing shall be borne by
10.1 In case the shipment fails to conform to the require- the purchaser.
ments for the grade specified, the manufacturer may sort it, and
new specimens shall be selected by the purchaser from the 12. Keywords
retained lot and tested at the expense of the manufacturer. In 12.1 clay; load-bearing tile; masonry construction; physical
case the second set of specimens fails to meet the requirements, properties; shale; structural wall tile; tile
the entire lot shall be rejected.

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).