Designation: C 1232 – 05

Standard Terminology of
Masonry1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1232; 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.

1. Scope* freeze thaw resistance, n—the ability of masonry to maintain

1.1 This terminology covers generic terms and generic integrity under the forces caused by cyclic action of freezing
definitions of terms specifically associated with masonry. and thawing in the presence of moisture.
frog, n—an indentation in a bed surface of a masonry unit.
2. Referenced Documents Indentations not exceeding 3⁄8 in. are termed a frog,
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 sometimes called a panel or panel frog. Indentations exceed-
C 43 Terminology of Structural Clay Products ing 3⁄8 in. are termed a deep frog.
C 1180 Terminology of Mortar and Grout for Unit Masonry groove, n—a channel formed on surfaces other than faces of
C 1209 Terminology of Concrete Masonry Units manufactured masonry units for production or construction
purposes.
3. Terminology height, n—vertical dimension of the face of a unit when the
3.1 Definitions—The definitions in this terminology are unit is positioned as a stretcher.
generic as used by ASTM Committees C12 and C15. For hollow masonry unit—unit whose net cross-sectional area in
terminology specific to: (1) structural clay products, see any plane parallel to the surface containing cores, cells, or
Terminology C 43, (2) mortar and grout, see Terminology deep frogs is less than 75 % of its gross cross-sectional area
C 1180, and (3) concrete masonry units, see Terminology measured in the same plane.
C 1209. length, n—horizontal dimension of the face of a unit when the
unit is positioned as a stretcher.
bed surface, n—(1) the nonvertical surfaces of a manufactured manufactured masonry unit, n—a manmade noncombustible
masonry unit intended by the manufacturer to be joined by building product intended to be laid by hand and joined by
mortar or other methods. (2) the in situ nonvertical surfaces mortar, grout, or other methods of joining.
of a manufactured masonry unit joined by mortar or other masonry, n—the type of construction made up of masonry
methods. units laid with mortar, grout, or other methods of joining.
cryptoflorescence, n—crystalline deposit of water-soluble nominal dimension—dimension that is greater than the speci-
compounds in the pores of masonry. fied dimension by the thickness of a mortar joint. It is usually
efflorescence, n—crystalline deposit, usually white, of water- expressed as a whole number.
soluble compounds on the surface of masonry. score, n—a channel formed for appearance purposes on the
face, exposed, n—the in situ exposed surface(s) of a manu- face or faces of a manufactured masonry unit.
factured masonry unit. shell, n—the outer walls of a hollow masonry unit. Shell can
face, finished, n—any surface(s) of a manufactured masonry either be an end shell or a face shell.
unit intended by the manufacturer to be exposed to view. solid masonry unit—unit whose net cross-sectional area in
facing unit—manufactured masonry unit designed for use any plane parallel to the surface containing cores, cells, or
where one or more faces will be exposed and for which the deep frogs is 75 % or more of its gross cross-sectional area
specification includes requirements on color, finish, and measured in the same plane.
other properties affecting appearance. specified dimensions—dimensions to which masonry units or
constructions are required to conform. Actual (measured)
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on
dimensions may differ from the specified dimensions by
Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee permissible variations.
C15.08 on Terminology. surface feature, n—a quality or condition of the face of a
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2005. Published February 2005. Originally manufactured masonry unit.
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as C 1232–02.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or DISCUSSION—Surface features include coatings, colors, textures, re-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM lief, or combinations of these. A masonry unit may have different
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on surface features on individual faces.
the ASTM website.

*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.

1
C 1232 – 05
thickness—that dimension designed to lie at right angles to the units placed in usage—manufactured masonry units that have
face of the wall, floor, or other assembly. been installed in masonry.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C15 has identified the location of the following changes since C 1232–02 that may impact the use
of this standard.

(1) Terminology for surface feature was added to 3.1.

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