Question

9) A severe weathering clay brick was tested for absorption according to ASTM C67 procedure and produced the following data: Dry mass of specimen = 2.186 kg Saturated mass after 24-hour submersion in cold water = 2.453 kg Saturated mass after 5-hour submersion in boiling water = 2.472 kg Calculate absorption by 24-hour submersion. Calculate absorption by 5-hour boiling. Does the brick satisfy the ASTM requirements?

Answer 1

Ans 9) We know,

Absoprtion = [(Saturated mass - Dry mass) / Dry mass] x 100

  For 24 hr submersion,

% cold water absorption = [(2.453 - 2.186) / 2.186] x 100 = 12.21 %

Now,

For 5 hr submersion,

% boiling water absorption = [(2.472 - 2.186) / 2.186] x 100 = 13.08 %

=> Saturation coefficient = 24 hr absorption / 5 hr absorption = 12.21 / 13.08 = 0.93

As per ASTM C67 requirements, a brick should either have maximum permissible cold water absorption less than 8% or maximum permissible saturation coefficient of 0.78. Since, this brick fails both requirements, this brick is not suitable as per ASTM C67 guidelines.