BRITISH STANDARD BS EN

772-14:2002

Methods of test for

masonry units —
Licensed Copy: :FULLNAME, : DATE, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Part 14: Determination of moisture

movement of aggregate concrete and
manufactured stone masonry units

The European Standard EN 772-14:2001 has the status of a

British Standard

ICS 91.100.30

NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW

 BS EN 772-14:2002

National foreword
This British Standard is the official English language version of EN 772-14:2001.
EN 772-14 is a supporting standard to the forthcoming ‘harmonized’ European product
standard specifications on aggregate concrete masonry unit, EN 771-3, and
manufactured stone units, EN 771-5. These standards are the subject of transitional
arrangements agreed under the Commission mandate. The Member States have agreed
a nominal transition period for the co-existence of these standards and their
corresponding national standard(s). It is intended that this period will comprise a
nominal nine month period during which any required changes to national regulations
are to be made, followed by a further nominal twelve month period for the
implementation of CE marking. At the end of this co-existence period, the national
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standard(s) will be withdrawn. In the UK, the corresponding national standard to

EN 772-14, EN 771-3 and EN 771-5 is:
— BS 6073-1:1981, Precast concrete masonry units — Part 1: Specification for precast
concrete masonry units.
As EN 772-14 is a supporting standard to the forthcoming ‘harmonized’ EN 771-3 and
EN 771-5, the nominal transition period of twenty-one months for EN 772-14 will
commence upon the date of availability of either EN 771-3 or EN 771-5, whichever is the
later. At the end of this period BS 6073-1:1981 will be withdrawn.
NOTE Users of BS 6073-1:1981 should contact BSI Customer Services for confirmation of
withdrawal.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted by Technical Committee B/519,
Masonry and associated testing, to Subcommittee B/519/1, Masonry units, which has
the responsibility to:
— aid enquirers to understand the text;

— present to the responsible European committee any enquiries on the

interpretation, or proposals for change, and keep the UK interests informed;
— monitor related international and European developments and promulgate
them in the UK.

A list of organizations represented on this subcommittee can be obtained on request to

its secretary.
Cross-references
The British Standards which implement international or European publications
referred to in this document may be found in the BSI Standards Catalogue under the
section entitled “International Standards Correspondence Index”, or by using the “Find”
facility of the BSI Standards Electronic Catalogue.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract.
Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from
legal obligations.

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Sector Policy
Summary of pages
and Strategy Committee for This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, the EN title page, pages 2
Building and Civil to 10, an inside back cover and a back cover.
Engineering, was published
under the authority of the The BSI copyright date displayed in this document indicates when the document was
Standards Policy and Strategy last issued.
Committee on 31 January 2002

Amendments issued since publication

Amd. No. Date Comments

© BSI 31 January 2002

ISBN 0 580 38985 5

 EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 772-14
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM November 2001

ICS 91.100.30

English version
Licensed Copy: :FULLNAME, : DATE, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Methods of test for masonry units - Part 14: Determination of

moisture movement of aggregate concrete and manufactured
stone masonry units

Méthode d'essai pour des éléments de maçonnerie - Partie: Prüfverfahren für Mauersteine - Teil 14: Bestimmung der
14 détermination de la variation due à l'humidité des feuchtebedingten Formänderung von Mauersteinen aus
éléments de maçonnerie en béton de granulats et en pierre Beton und Betonwerksteinen
reconstituée

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 13 October 2001.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the official
versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2001 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 772-14:2001 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
 EN 772-14:2001 (E)

Contents
page
Foreword 3
1 Scope 4
2 Normative references 4
3 Principle 4
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4 Symbols 4
5 Apparatus 5
6 Preparation of specimens 5
7 Procedure 7
8 Expression of results 9
9 Evaluation of results 9
10 Test report 10

2
 EN 772-14:2001 (E)

Foreword

This European Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 125 "Masonry", the
secretariat of which is held by BSI.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
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identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by May 2002, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by March 2004.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

3
 EN 772-14:2001 (E)

1 Scope

This European Standard specifies a method of measuring the moisture movement of aggregate
concrete and manufactured stone masonry units between two specified extreme moisture conditions.
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2 Normative references

This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other
publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text, and the
publications are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any
of these publications apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or
revision. For undated references the latest edition of the publication referred to applies (including
amendments).

prEN 771-3, Specification for masonry units - Part 3: Aggregate concrete masonry units (dense and
lightweight aggregates).

prEN 771-5, Specification for masonry units - Part 5: Manufactured stone masonry units.

3 Principle

This test measures, on masonry units of the same concrete compositions and the same sampling:

a) the expansion between the initial condition and after soaking in water for 4 days;

b) the shrinkage between the initial condition and after drying for 21 days in a ventilated
oven at 33 °C.

4 Symbols

l0i is the initial distance between gauge location pads, (mm)

l1i is the distance between gauge location pads after soaking, (mm)

l2i is the distance between gauge location pads after drying, (mm)

lg /l is the mean moisture expansion coefficient, (mm/m)

lr /l is the mean drying shrinkage coefficient, (mm/m)

lc /l is the total movement coefficient, (mm/m)

4
 EN 772-14:2001 (E)

lgi /l is the individual moisture expansion coefficient, (mm/m)

lri /l is the individual drying shrinkage coefficient, (mm/m)

mo,s is the mass of specimen before drying, (g)

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mdry,s is the mass of specimen after drying, (g)

ws is the moisture content, (%) by mass

5 Apparatus

5.1 Gauge location pads.

5.2 Adhesive appropriate for use under the conditions given in 5.4 and 5.5.

5.3 Measuring device suitable for measuring changes in length with an accuracy of at least
0,002 mm.

5.4 Ventilated oven with a volume of at least 9 times the volume of the specimens to be dried at one
time, capable of being maintained at a temperature of 33 °C ± 3°C. The oven is ventilated top and
bottom for free convection or by a forced system that ensures at least 3 air changes per hour.

5.5 Tank of water, maintained at a temperature of 20 °C ± 2 °C and of sufficient volume to hold all
the specimens to be soaked at one time and to ensure free access of the water to all faces.

5.6 Weighing instrument capable of weighing the specimens with an accuracy of 0,1 %.

5.7 Calibration rods of Invar steel.

2
5.8 Four support pads per specimen of 1 cm maximum cross-section and with a minimum height of
10 mm.

6 Preparation of specimens

6.1 Sampling

The test specimens shall consist of whole masonry units or be cut from whole masonry units. In every
case the samples shall be sealed in airtight bags immediately after sampling until they are prepared
for test. The dates of manufacturing and sampling shall be declared. The age of the specimens at the
beginning of the test shall be 28 days unless otherwise is specified.

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 EN 772-14:2001 (E)

The method of sampling shall be stated in the test report. The minimum number of specimens shall be
six, but a larger minimum number may be specified in the product specification, in which case that
larger number shall be used.

6.2 Conditioning
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Unless otherwise is specified, remove the specimens from the airtight bags after 14 days and store
them for a further 14 days in the laboratory under the following conditions:

Temperature
15 C
Relative humidity  65 %

In the laboratory store the specimens so that each one is similarly exposed.

At the end of the 14 day laboratory storage weigh every specimen and number them 1 to 6 from the
lightest to the heaviest (mo,s ).

The test shall be deemed to have begun at the end of the 14 day laboratory conditioning period
following the 14 days in airtight bags.

6.3 Preparation for measurements

Fix two gauge location pads (5.1) using appropriate adhesive glue (5.2) to each of the specimens at an
appropriate gauge length apart (see Table 1) in an appropriate position (see Figure 1) and mark one of
the pads on each specimen with a distinctive sign. A suitable template should be used to space the
pads.

Table 1 - Gauge length for specimens

Dimensions in millimetres
Length of specimen Minimum gauge length
100 to 200 80
201 to 300 180
over 300 280

6
 EN 772-14:2001 (E)
Licensed Copy: :FULLNAME, : DATE, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

a) Fix on bed face b) Fix on the external shell

Figure 1 - Positioning of gauge location pads

a) For specimens which are whole units without voids passing right through, fix the gauge
location pads on the bed face.

b) For specimens which are whole masonry units with voids passing right through, fix the
gauge location pads on the shell.

c) For specimens which are parts of masonry units fix the gauge location pads on a surface
which would be a bed face, see a) above.

7 Procedure

7.1 General

Carry out the test in laboratory maintained at a temperature of 20 °C ± 2 °C and a relative humidity of
50 % to 65 %.

Before taking any measurements calibrate the measuring device using the Invar calibration rods (5.7).

7.2 Initial measurement

Keep the specimen in the laboratory for 6 h before taking the first measurements. Measure the initial
distance loi between the pads on the 6 specimens, taking care to place the mobile end of the gauge on
the marked pad.

Record the results in mm at least to the nearest 0,002 mm.

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 EN 772-14:2001 (E)

7.3 Measurement of moisture expansion

Place the specimens Nos. 2, 4 and 6 in the water tank (5.5) at 20 °C ± 2 °C with the location pads
uppermost. Use the support pads (5.8) to keep the specimens at least 10 mm from the bottom of the
tank and ensure at least 50 mm of water over the top of them (see Figure 2).
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Dimensions in millimetres

≥ 50
≥ 10
Figure 2 - Positioning of specimens in water tank

After 96 h in water remove the specimens from the water tank, allow them to drain for 10 min and
then measure the distance l1i between the pads on the 3 specimens, placing the mobile end of the
gauge on the marked pad.

Record the results in mm at least to the nearest 0,002 mm.

7.4 Measurement of drying shrinkage

Place specimens Nos. 1, 3 and 5 in the ventilated oven (5.4) at 33 °C ± 3 °C oriented as they are
expected to be used. Ensure that the hot air has free access to all faces.

After 21 days, remove the specimens from the oven and allow to stabilize in the laboratory for 6 h.

Measure the distance l2i between the pads on the three specimens, placing the mobile end of the gauge
on the marked pad.

Record the results in mm at least to the nearest 0,002 mm.

Weigh each specimen (mdry,s ).

8
 EN 772-14:2001 (E)

8 Expression of results

8.1 Moisture expansion

Calculate the moisture expansion coefficient of each of the specimens using the formula:
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lgi l1i  l0i

  1000 mm / m
l l0i

8.2 Drying shrinkage

Calculate the drying shrinkage coefficient of each of the specimens using the formula:

l ri l0i  l 2i
  1000 mm / m
l l0i

Calculate the moisture content (ws )of the specimens 1, 3 and 5 from the ratio of the loss in mass during
drying to the dry mass expressed to the nearest 0,5%.

mo,s - mdry,s
ws =  100%
mdry,s

9 Evaluation of results

l g
Calculate the arithmetic mean of the moisture expansion coefficients for the three specimens to
l
two decimal places.

l r
Calculate the arithmetic mean of the drying shrinkage coefficients for the three specimens to
l
two decimal places.

Calculate the total movement coefficient of the sample

l c l r l g
 
l l l

and record it to 0,01 mm/m

9
 EN 772-14:2001 (E)

Calculate the mean value of the moisture content of the specimens 1, 3 and 5 (ws) to the nearest 1% and
report as the moisture content of the sample.

10 Test report
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The test report shall contain the following information:

a) the number, title and date of issue of this European Standard;

b) description of the masonry unit to the relevant standard prEN 771-3 or

prEN 771-5;

c) the method of sampling and by which organization;

d) the date of production and the date of sampling of the specimens;

e) the date of preparation of the specimens, the dates of commencement1) and completion of
the tests for moisture expansion and drying shrinkage;

f) the storage conditions between delivery and test;

g) the weight of each sample at the time of initial measurement, expressed in kg to 0,1 kg;

h) the individual drying shrinkage and moisture expansion coefficients in mm/m to

0,01 mm/m;

i) the mean shrinkage and expansion coefficients expressed in mm/m to 0,01 mm/m;

j) the total movement coefficient of the sample expressed in mm/m to 0,01 mm/m;

k) the individual values of moisture content of the specimens 1, 3 and 5 to the nearest 0,5% and
mean value of moisture content to the nearest 1 %;

l) remarks, if any.

1
The date of commencement of the test is defined in 6.1. The test will have two different end points,
one for the specimens which have been subjected to soaking and another for the specimens subjected
to drying.

10
 Licensed Copy: :FULLNAME, : DATE, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

blank
 BS EN
772-14:2002
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