CSA Group CSA Standards on concrete masonry units

A165 Series-14 - CSA Standards on concrete masonry units Preface This is the fifth edition of the CSA A165 Series, CSA Standards on concrete masonry units. It supersedes the previous editions, published in 2004, 1994, 1985, and 1977. This Series consists of three Standards: (a) CSA A165.1, Concrete block masonry units; (b) CSA A165.2, Concrete brick masonry units; and (c) CSA A165.3, Prefaced concrete masonry units. CSA A165.1 covers concrete block masonry units suitable for loadbearing and nonloadbearing applications. It classifies concrete block masonry units by four physical properties denoted by facets. These properties are solid content, specified compressive strength, concrete type, and maximum moisture content. The physical properties are based on performance rather than specific material combinations or manufacturing processes. To fully complete a block unit specification under this Standard, the specifier designates unit performance for each physical property using an identification code. The specified compressive strengths of units given in Table 1 of this Standard, based on the average net area of the unit, parallel those identified for the design of masonry in CSA S304, Design of Masonry Structures. CSA A165.2 covers both hollow and solid concrete brick units. Solid units are suitable for loadbearing and nonloadbearing applications, whereas hollow units are limited to nonloadbearing applications. The Standard identifies two grades of units: Grade I, for use in masonry exposed to the weather, and Grade II, for use as backup or interior facing masonry and not for exposure to the weather. Both hollow and solid concrete brick units are classified by their physical properties and the extent of coring and frogging. Physical properties include specified compressive strength, water absorption, and moisture content. CSA A165.3 specifies the properties of masonry units prefaced during manufacturing. The Standard provides requirements for resistance to aging, thermal shock, and freeze-thaw cycling, as well as referencing the requirements of ASTM C744, Standard Specification for Prefaced Concrete and Calcium Silicate Masonry Units. The base unit for the applied facing is governed by CSA A165.1 or CSA A165.2, as applicable. The principal changes to this edition of the CSA A165 Series include - adding Portland-limestone cements and blended hydraulic cements as acceptable cementitious materials for the manufacture of concrete masonry units; - referencing ASTM C979 as the required standard for colouring pigments for concrete masonry units; - using "normalized web area", rather than "equivalent web thickness", as the means of measuring and expressing the area of web between the faceshells of a concrete masonry unit; - adding clarifying notes on the maximum variation between concrete masonry units of a specified dimension within a job lot; - providing clarifying notes about the procedures required to determine the density of concrete block masonry units manufactured from Type C or D concrete; - reducing the permissible variation in the height of standard concrete block masonry units; - adding clarifying notes on the appearance of concrete block masonry units and the use of sample panels; and - referring to the nominal or actual dimension normal to the face of a concrete masonry unit as its "thickness" rather than its "width", to harmonize with the other CSA Group masonry standards and the National Building Code of Canada. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A165.1-14 - Concrete block masonry units Scope 1.1 This Standard applies to concrete block masonry units made from cementitious materials, water, and aggregates, with or without the inclusion of other materials. This Standard may be applied to other units of similar manufacture and size within the limitations of the Standard. Note: For concrete brick masonry units, see CSA A165.2. For prefaced concrete masonry units, see CSA A165.3. 1.2 In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (nonmandatory) to define their application. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A165.2-14 - Concrete brick masonry units Scope 1.1 This Standard applies to hollow and solid concrete brick masonry units and similar units manufactured from a mixture of cementitious materials, water, and aggregates, with or without the inclusion of other materials. Note: For concrete block masonry units, see CSA A165.1. For prefaced concrete masonry units, see CSA A165.3. 1.2 In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (nonmandatory) to define their application. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A165.3-14 - Prefaced concrete masonry units Scope 1.1 This Standard applies to concrete masonry units, both block and brick, having integral facings on one or two sides in gloss, semi-gloss, or matte finish. Note: For concrete block masonry units, see CSA A165.1. For concrete brick masonry units, see CSA A165.2. 1.2 In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (nonmandatory) to define their application.