Designation: C1692 − 11

Standard Practice for

Construction and Testing of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
(AAC) Masonry1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1692; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

INTRODUCTION

Masonry units of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) can be produced with dimensional tolerances
as small as 0.06 in. (1.5 mm). As a consequence, AAC masonry units can be laid with mortar joints
approximately 0.38 in. (10 mm) thick, and also with thinner joints. The exterior face of the resulting
AAC masonry wall is then protected from the elements using an exterior wythe of masonry, a cladding
system, or a breathable coating resistant to penetration by liquid water. The interior face can be
plastered, furred, or painted.

1. Scope* Aerated Concrete (AAC) Masonry

1.1 This practice applies to construction and testing of C1691 Specification for Unreinforced Autoclaved Aerated
masonry made of AAC units. It includes or references Concrete (AAC) Masonry Units
terminology, material specifications, and methods of test. It C1693 Specification for Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
references specifications and test methods. (AAC)
C1717 Test Methods for Conducting Strength Tests of Ma-
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded sonry Wall Panels
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical E96/E96M Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only Materials
and are not considered standard. E514 Test Method for Water Penetration and Leakage
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the Through Masonry
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the E518 Test Methods for Flexural Bond Strength of Masonry
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- E519 Test Method for Diagonal Tension (Shear) in Masonry
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- Assemblages
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 2.2 Other Standards:
TMS 402–08 / ACI 530–09 / ASCE 5–08 Building Code
2. Referenced Documents Requirements for Masonry Structures3
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 TMS 602-08 / ACI 530.1-08 / ASCE 6-08 Specification for
C270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry Masonry Structures3
C476 Specification for Grout for Masonry
C1072 Test Methods for Measurement of Masonry Flexural 3. Terminology
Bond Strength 3.1 Definitions—Terms defined in Terminology C1232 shall
C1232 Terminology of Masonry apply in this practice.
C1660 Specification for Thin-bed Mortar for Autoclaved
4. Significance and Use
1
4.1 This practice applies to the materials and methods used
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on Manufac-
tured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C15.10 on in the construction of AAC masonry. It directly references the
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Masonry Units. AAC materials standards under the jurisdiction of ASTM
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2011. Published December 2011. Originally Committee C27 and the workmanship requirements of TMS
approved in 2009. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as C1692 – 10. DOI:
10.1520/C1692-11.
602-08 / ACI 530.1-08 / ASCE 6-08 and supplements those
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from The Masonry Society, 3970 Broadway, Suite 201-D Boulder,
the ASTM website. CO 80304–1135, http://www.masonrysociety.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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

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 C1692 − 11
workmanship requirements with additional requirements par- 7. Workmanship for Thick-bed AAC Masonry
ticular to AAC masonry. 7.1 Workmanship shall be in accordance with TMS 602-08
5. Materials / ACI 530.1-08 / ASCE 6-08 (Part 3–Execution), and with the
additional requirements of this practice.
5.1 AAC masonry units shall conform to Specification
C1691. 7.2 Install the first course in a full bed of mortar conforming
to Specification C270, Type M, S or N.
5.2 Mortar for thick-bed AAC masonry shall meet the
performance standards prescribed by the AAC manufacturer. 7.3 Use thick-bed mortar complying with 5.2.
5.3 Mortar for thin-bed AAC masonry shall comply with 7.4 Mix thick-bed mortar as prescribed by the AAC manu-
Specification C1660. facturer.
NOTE 1—In general, AAC manufacturers’ performance standards for 7.5 Lay subsequent courses using thick-bed mortar, follow-
mortar for AAC masonry address minimum dry compressive strength,
minimum wet compressive strength, minimum bond strength, minimum ing the provisions of TMS 602-08 / ACI 530.1-08 / ASCE 6-08
open time, and minimum working time. They also require that the mortar (Part 3–Execution) for laying solid units.
provide sufficient bond to the AAC masonry unit so that flexural tensile
strength is controlled by the flexural tensile strength of the units rather
7.6 Make minor adjustments by sanding the surfaces of the
than by the bond between units and mortar. units using a sanding board.
5.4 Grout shall conform to Specification C476. 7.7 If it is necessary to field-cut units, cut them to
tolerances consistent with 5.1.
6. Methods of Test
7.8 If AAC masonry is to be grouted, wet it thoroughly
6.1 Compressive Strength Test for AAC Masonry—Report before grouting, to ensure that the grout flows to completely fill
the compressive strength of the AAC masonry as the strength the space to be grouted.
of the AAC material determined in accordance with Specifi-
cation C1693. 8. Workmanship for Thin-bed AAC Masonry
NOTE 2—Bond-strength requirements for AAC masonry mortar (Note
1) result in AAC masonry assemblages that behave monolithically. The 8.1 Workmanship shall be in accordance with TMS 602-08
compressive strength of an AAC prism depends on the prism’s aspect ratio / ACI 530.1-08 / ASCE 6-08 (Part 3–Execution), and with the
only, and not on the presence, number, or orientation of joints. Any additional requirements of this practice.
reasonable aspect ratio can be used to verify compressive strength,
provided that the same aspect ratio is used to calibrate design equations. 8.2 Install the first course in a full bed of mortar conforming
Design equations for AAC masonry are calibrated using compressive to Specification C270, Type M, S or N.
strengths determined in accordance with Specification C1693. It is
therefore appropriate to report those same strengths, which Specification 8.3 Use thin-bed mortar complying with 5.3.
C1693 requires AAC manufacturers to determine and report.
NOTE 3—The tests noted in subsections 6.2 through 6.4 are not required
8.4 Mix thin-bed mortar as prescribed by the AAC manu-
by TMS 402–08 / ACI 530–09 / ASCE 5–08 or TMS 602-08 / ACI facturer.
530.1-08 / ASCE 6-08. They may be required for research purposes or 8.5 Lay subsequent courses using thin-bed mortar. Use the
other reasons.
special notched trowel available from the AAC manufacturer to
6.2 Flexural Strength Test for AAC Masonry spread the thin-bed mortar so that it completely fills the bed
Assemblages—If required, conduct flexural strength tests in joints. Similarly fill the head joints, unless the units are
accordance with Test Methods C1717, E518, or C1072. designed to be connected across the head joints by tongue-and-
6.2.1 If conducting flexural strength tests in accordance groove or other mechanical means rather than by thin-bed
with Test Methods E518, construct at least five test specimens mortar. Spread mortar and place the next unit before the mortar
as stack-bonded prisms at least 32 in. (0.81 m) high. Use dries. Set the units into final position, in mortar joints approxi-
mortar meeting the performance requirements of the AAC mately 0.06-in. (1.5-mm) thick, by striking on the end and top
manufacturer. Conduct the flexural strength test in accordance of the unit with a rubber mallet.
with Test Methods E518, Test Method A (Simply Supported
Beam with Third-point Loading). 8.6 Lay units in alignment with either the inside or the
6.2.2 If conducting flexural strength tests in accordance outside plane of the wall. Align vertically and plumb using
with Test Method C1072, construct test specimens as stack- only the first course for reference. Make minor adjustments by
bonded prisms comprising at least three bed joints. Test a total sanding the surfaces of the units with a sanding board.
of at least five joints. Use mortar complying with 5.2 or 5.3 as 8.7 If it is necessary to field-cut units, cut them to
appropriate. tolerances consistent with 5.1.
6.3 Shear Strength Test for AAC Masonry Assemblages —If 8.8 If AAC masonry is to be grouted, wet it thoroughly
required, conduct shear strength tests in accordance with Test before grouting, to ensure that the grout flows to completely fill
Method E519. Cure the gypsum capping material for at least the space to be grouted.
six hours prior to testing. Use mortar complying with 5.2 or 5.3
as appropriate. 9. Exterior Surface Treatment
6.4 Modulus of Elasticity of AAC Units—If required, deter- 9.1 AAC masonry exposed to weather shall be protected
mine the modulus of elasticity in accordance with Specification with an exterior wythe of masonry, a cladding system, or a
C1693. coating complying with the requirements of 9.2 and 9.3.

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 C1692 − 11

FIG. 1 Masonry Assemblage for Testing Liquid Permeability of Exterior Surface Treatment for AAC Masonry

9.2 Vapor Permeability—The PERM rating of the coating, material and dimensions as the measurement tube. Fill the
determined in accordance with Test Methods E96/E96M, shall measurement tube and the reference tube with water to a height
not be less than 5. of 21.6 in. (0.55 m), within a tolerance of 61 in. (25 mm). Note
9.3 Liquid Permeability—The coating shall show no leak- the original height of water, and the height after 5 h, in the
age when tested using the following procedure: measurement tube and in the reference tube. Record the
9.3.1 As shown in Fig. 1, prepare an AAC masonry difference between the initial height and the final height of
assemblage with plan dimensions of 12 by 12 in. (0.3 by 0.3 m) water in the measurement tube, and in the reference tube. If
and a thickness of 1 in. (25 mm). Make the assemblage using those differences differ by less than 1 mm, the coating shall be
two pieces of AAC material with a vertically oriented joint considered to have shown no leakage.
NOTE 4—The above test method is intended to verify the water-
between them. Join the two pieces at the joint using thin-bed or penetration resistance of the coating only, when applied to an AAC
thick-bed mortar as appropriate to the AAC masonry being masonry substrate. To examine the water-penetration resistance of an
tested. Cover the top surface with the coating to be tested. Affix AAC masonry system, tests such as Test Method E514 are appropriate.
to the top surface of the specimen, over the joint, a clear glass
or plastic measurement tube with an inside diameter between 2 10. Keywords
and 4 in. (50 and 100 mm), and a height of at least 24 in. (0.6 10.1 autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC); masonry; work-
m). Prepare a reference tube, closed at the bottom, of the same manship

BIBLIOGRAPHY

(1) Autoclaved Aerated Concrete: Properties, Testing, and Design,

RILEM Recommended Practice, Taylor & Francis, 1st Ed., 1993 .

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 C1692 − 11
SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C15 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(C1692 – 10) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Dec. 1, 2011.)

(1) Deleted redundant definition of autoclaved aerated concrete

from Section 3.

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