NCMA TEK

National Concrete Masonry Association

an information series from the national authority on concrete masonry technology

TYPICAL SIZES AND SHAPES OF TEK 2-1A

Unit Properties (2002)
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS
Keywords: architectural units, bond beams, concrete UNIT SIZES
brick, dimensions, equivalent thickness, lintels, screen
block, sizes and shapes Typically, concrete masonry units have nominal face
dimensions of 8 in. (203 mm) by 16 in. (406 mm),
available in nominal thicknesses of 4 , 6, 8, 10, and 12 in.
INTRODUCTION (102, 152, 203, 254, and 305 mm). Nominal dimensions
refer to the module size for planning bond patterns and
Concrete masonry is one of the most versatile building modular layout with respect to door and window open-
products available because of the wide variety of appearances ings. Actual dimensions of concrete masonry units are
that can be achieved using concrete masonry units. Concrete typically 3/ 8 in. (9.5 mm) less than nominal dimensions, so
masonry units are manufactured in different sizes, shapes, that the 4 or 8 in. (102 or 203 mm) module is maintained
colors, and textures to achieve a number of finishes and with 3/ 8 in. (9.5 mm) mortar joints. Figure 1 illustrates
functions. In addition, because of its modular nature, different nominal and actual dimensions for a nominal 8 x 8 x 16
concrete masonry units can be combined within the same wall in. (203 x 203 x 406 mm) concrete masonry unit. In
to achieve variations in texture, pattern, and color. addition to these standard sizes, other unit heights, lengths,
Certain concrete masonry sizes and shapes are considered and thicknesses may be available from local concrete
standard, while others are popular only in certain regions. Local masonry producers.
manufacturers can provide detailed information on specific Standard Specification for Load-Bearing Concrete
products, or the feasibility of producing custom units. A more Masonry Units, ASTM C 90 (ref. 5) is the most frequently
complete guide to concrete masonry units is the Shapes and referenced standard for concrete masonry units. ASTM C
Sizes Directory (ref. 2). 90 includes minimum face shell and web thicknesses for

8" (203 mm)

)
8" (2 06 mm
(4
03 m
m) 16"
Nominal Unit Dimensions Stretcher unit Single corner unit

Concrete brick

75/8" (194 mm)

m)
7 5/8" " (397 m
(194 155 /8
mm)
Double corner or
Actual Unit Dimensions
Corner return unit plain end unit
Figure 1—Nominal and Actual Unit Dimensions Figure 2—Typical Concrete Masonry Units
TEK 2-1A © 2002 National Concrete Masonry Association
the different sizes of concrete masonry units as listed in
Table 1. Overall unit dimensions (height, width, or length) are UNIT SHAPES
permitted to vary by ±1/8 in. (3.2 mm) from the dimensions
specified by the manufacturer. Where required, units may be Concrete masonry unit shapes have been developed for a
manufactured to closer tolerances than those permitted in ASTM wide variety of applications. The most common shapes are
C 90. ASTM C 90 also defines the difference between hollow and shown in Figure 2. Typically, the face shells and webs are
solid concrete masonry units. The net cross-sectional area of a tapered on concrete masonry units. Depending on the core
solid unit is at least 75% of the gross cross-sectional area. molds used in the manufacture of the units, face shells and webs
In addition to the “standard” sizes listed above, concrete may be tapered with a flare at one end, or may have a straight
brick is available in typical lengths of 8 and 16 in. (203 and 406 taper from top to bottom. The taper provides a wider surface for
mm), nominal 4 in. (102 mm) width, and a wide range of heights. mortar and easier handling for the mason.
They may be 100% solid, or may have two or three cores. Like The shapes illustrated in Figure 3 have been developed
ASTM C 90, Standard Specification for Concrete Building specifically to accommodate reinforcement. Open-ended units
Brick, ASTM C 55 (ref. 4), permits overall unit dimensions to allow the units to be threaded around reinforcing bars. This
vary ±1/8 in. (3.2 mm) from the dimensions specified by the eliminates the need to lift units over the top of the reinforcing
manufacturer. Nominal dimensions of modular concrete brick bar, or to thread the reinforcement through the masonry cores
equal the actual dimensions plus 3/8 in. (9.5 mm), the thickness
of one standard mortar joint. However, nominal dimensions of
nonmodular sized concrete brick usually exceed the standard
dimensions by 1/8 to 1/4 in. (3.2 to 6.4 mm).

Table 1—Minimum Thickness of Face Shells

and Webs (ref. 5)
Open end, or Double open end unit
Web thickness "A" shaped unit
Equivalent
Face shell web thickness,
Nominal width thicknessa, Websa, in./linear footb,c
Lintel unit
of unit, in. (mm) in. (mm) in. (mm) (mm/m)
3 (76) and 4 (102) 3/4 (19) 3/4 (19) 15/8 (136)
d
6 (152) 1 (25) 1 (25) 21/4 (188)
d
8 (203) 1 /4 (32)
1 1 (25) 21/4 (188)
d
10 (254) 13/8 (35) 11/8 (29) 21/2 (209)
11/4 (32)d,e
12 (305) 11/2 (38) 11/8 (29) 21/2 (209)
d,e
11/4 (32)
a
Average of measurements on 3 units taken at the thinnest point
when measured as described in ASTM C 140 (ref. 3). When this
standard is used for split face units, a maximum of 10% of a split
face shell area is permitted to have thicknesses less than those
shown, but not less than ¾ in. (19.1 mm). When the units are solid
grouted, the 10% limit does not apply.
b
Average of measurements on 3 units taken at the thinnest point Bond beam units Pilaster units
when measured as described in ASTM C 140. The minimum web
Figure 3—Shapes to Accommodate Reinforcement
thickness for units with webs closer than 1 in. (25.4 mm) apart
shall be ¾ in. (19.1 mm). after the wall is constructed. Bond beams in concrete masonry
c
Sum of the measured thickness of all webs in the unit, multiplied walls can be accommodated either by saw-cutting out of a
by 12 and divided by the length of the unit. Equivalent web standard unit, or by using bond beam units. Bond beam units
thickness does not apply to the portion of the unit to be filled with are either manufactured with reduced webs or with “knock-out”
grout. The length of that portion shall be deducted from the overall webs, which are removed prior to placement in the wall.
length of the unit for the calculation. Horizontal bond beam reinforcement is easily accommodated
d
For solid grouted masonry construction, minimum face shell in these units. Lintel units are similar to the U shaped bond
thickness not less than 5/8 in. (16 mm). beam units. Lintel units are available in various depths to carry
e
This face shell thickness is applicable where allowable design appropriate lintel loads over door and window openings. The
load is reduced in proportion to the reduction in thickness from solid bottom confines grout to the lintel. Pilaster and column
basic face shell thicknesses shown, except that allowable design units are used to easily accommodate a wall-column or wall-
loads on solid grouted units shall not be reduced. pilaster interface, allowing space for vertical reinforcement in
 the hollow center.
Figure 4 shows units developed for specific wall applica-
tions. Sash block have a vertical groove molded into one end
to accommodate a window sash. Sash block can be laid with the
grooves adjacent to one another to accommodate a preformed
control joint gasket. Control joint units are manufactured with
one male and one female end to provide lateral load transfer
across control joints. An all-purpose or kerf unit contains two
Sash unit All purpose or kerf unit closely spaced webs in the center, rather than the typical single
web. This allows the unit to be easily split on the jobsite,
producing two 8 in. (203 mm) long units, which are typically
used adjacent to openings or at the ends or corner of a wall. Bull-
nosed units are available with either a single or double bull nose,
to soften corners. Screen units are available in many sizes and
patterns. Typical applications include exterior fences, interior
partitions, and openings within interior concrete masonry
walls. Bevelled-end units, forming a 45o angle with the face of
the unit, are used to form walls intersecting at 135o angles. Units
in adjacent courses overlap to form a running bond pattern at the
corner.
Control joint unit Bull-nosed unit A variety of concrete masonry units are designed to in-
crease energy efficiency. These units, examples of which are
shown in Figure 5, may have reduced web areas to reduce heat
loss through the webs. Web areas can be reduced by reducing the
web height or thickness, reducing the number of webs, or both.
In addition, the interior face shell of the unit can be made thicker
than a typical face shell for increased thermal storage, and hence
further increase energy efficiency. Insulating inserts can also be
incorporated into standard concrete masonry units to increase
energy efficiency.
Acoustical units (Figure 6) dampen sound, thus improv-
ing the noise reduction attributes of an interior space. Acoustical
units are often used in schools, industrial plants, and churches,
Bevelled unit Screen units and to improve internal acoustics.
Figure 4—Special Shapes SURFACE FINISHES

The finished appearance of a concrete masonry wall can be

varied with the size of units, shape of units, color of units and
mortar, bond pattern, and surface finish of the units. The various
shapes and sizes of concrete masonry units described above are
often available in a choice of surface finishes. Some of the
surfaces are molded into the units during the manufacturing
process, while others are applied separately.
Figure 7 shows some of the more common surface textures
available. Ribs, flutes, striations, offsets, and scores are accom-
plished by using a unit mold with the desired characteristics.
Figure 5—Examples of Concrete Masonry Units Split-faced units are molded with two units face-to-face and
Designed For Energy Efficiency then the units are mechanically split apart.
Glazed units are manufactured by bonding a permanent
colored facing to a concrete masonry unit, providing a smooth
impervious surface. Glazed units are often used for brightly-
colored accent bands, and in gymnasiums, rest rooms, and
indoor swimming pools where the stain and moisture resistant
finish reduces maintenance. Glazed units comply to Standard
Specification for Prefaced Concrete and Calcium Silicate
Masonry Units, ASTM C 744 (ref. 6).
Ground-face units are ground to achieve a smooth finish
which reveals the natural colors of the aggregates. Often,
Figure 6—Examples of Acoustical specific aggregates will be used to enhance the appearance.
Concrete Masonry Units For more information on surface finishes, see TEK 2-3A
Architectural Concrete Masonry Units (ref. 1).
 REFERENCES
1. Architectural Concrete Ma-
sonry Units, TEK 2-3A, Na-
tional Concrete Masonry Asso-
ciation, 2001.
2. Shapes and Sizes Directory, Na-
tional Concrete Masonry Asso-
ciation, 1995.
3. Standard Methods of Sampling
and Testing Concrete Masonry
Units and Related Units, ASTM
C 140-01ae1. American Society
for Testing and Materials, 2001.
4. Standard Specification for Con-
crete Building Brick, ASTM C
55-01a. American Society for
Testing and Materials, 2001.
5. Standard Specification for Load-
Bearing Concrete Masonry
Units, ASTM C 90-01a. Ameri-
can Society for Testing and Ma-
terials, 2001.
6. Standard Specification for Pref-
aced Concrete and Calcium
Figure 7—Examples of Surface Finishes Available For Concrete Masonry Units Silicate Masonry Units, ASTM
(clockwise from bottom left: split face with three scores; single score ground face; C 744-99. American Society for
glazed corner unit; ground face; ground face; single score glazed ; split face; ground Testing and Materials, 1999.
face; split face; center: eight-ribbed split face)

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does not assume responsibility for errors or omissions resulting from the use of this TEK.

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