BS EN 772-11:2011

BSI Standards Publication

Methods of test for

masonry units
Part 11: Determination of water
absorption of aggregate concrete,
autoclaved aerated concrete,
manufactured stone and natural
stone masonry units due to capillary
action and the initial rate of water
absorption of clay masonry units
BS EN 772-11:2011 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 772-11:2011.
It supersedes BS EN 772-11:2000, which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to
Technical Committee B/519/1, Masonry units.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be
obtained on request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary
provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct
application.
© BSI 2011
ISBN 978 0 580 70258 7
ICS 91.100.15; 91.100.30
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity
from legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 May 2011.
Amendments issued since publication
Date Text affected
 BS EN 772-11:2011

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 772-11

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM May 2011

ICS 91.100.15; 91.100.30 Supersedes EN 772-11:2000

English Version

Methods of test for masonry units - Part 11: Determination of

water absorption of aggregate concrete, autoclaved aerated
concrete, manufactured stone and natural stone masonry units
due to capillary action and the initial rate of water absorption of
clay masonry units

Méthodes d'essai des éléments de maçonnerie - Partie 11:
Détermination de l'absorption de l'eau par capillarité des
éléments de maçonnerie en béton de granulats, en béton
cellulaire autoclavé, en pierre reconstituée et naturelle et du
taux initial d'absorption d'eau des éléments de maçonnerie
en terre cuite
Prüfverfahren für Mauersteine - Teil 11: Bestimmung der
kapillaren Wasseraufnahme von Mauersteinen aus Beton,
Porenbetonsteinen, Betonwerksteinen und Natursteinen
sowie der anfänglichen Wasseraufnahme von
Mauerziegeln

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 25 December 2010.

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 CEN-CENELEC 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 CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

© 2011 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 772-11:2011: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN 772-11:2011
EN 772-11:2011 (E)

Contents Page

Foreword ..............................................................................................................................................................3
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................4
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................4
3 Principle ..................................................................................................................................................4
4 Symbols ..................................................................................................................................................4
5 Apparatus................................................................................................................................................5
6 Preparation of specimens ......................................................................................................................5
7 Test procedure........................................................................................................................................5
8 Calculation and expression of results ..................................................................................................6
9 Evaluation of results ..............................................................................................................................6
10 Test report ..............................................................................................................................................7
Annex A (informative) Significant technical changes between this European standard and the
previous edition .....................................................................................................................................8

2
 BS EN 772-11:2011
EN 772-11:2011 (E)

Foreword
This document (EN 772-11:2011) 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 identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by November 2011, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn
at the latest by November 2011.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document supersedes EN 772-11:2000.

Annex A provides details of significant technical changes between this European Standard and the previous
edition.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

3
BS EN 772-11:2011
EN 772-11:2011 (E)

1 Scope
This European Standard specifies a method of determining the water absorption coefficient due to capillary
action for aggregate concrete, autoclaved aerated concrete, natural stone and manufactured stone masonry
units and the initial rate of water absorption for clay masonry units.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 771-1, Specification for masonry units — Part 1: Clay masonry units

EN 771-2, Specification for masonry units — Part 2: Calcium silicate masonry units

EN 771-3, Specification for masonry units — Part 3: Aggregate concrete masonry units (Dense and light-
weight aggregates)

EN 771-4, Specification for masonry units — Part 4: Autoclaved aerated concrete masonry units

EN 771-5, Specification for masonry units — Part 5: Manufactured stone masonry units

EN 771-6, Specification for masonry units — Part 6: Natural stone masonry units

EN 772-16, Methods of test for masonry units — Part 16: Determination of dimensions

3 Principle
After drying to constant mass, a face of the masonry unit is immersed in water for a specific period of time and
the increase in mass is determined.

In the case of clay masonry units the initial rate of absorption of the bed face is measured. In the case of
aggregate concrete, autoclaved aerated concrete, natural stone and manufactured stone masonry units the
water absorption of face of the unit to be exposed is measured, as described in the relevant product standard.

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

mso,s is the mass of the specimen in grams after soaking for time t, (g);
2
As is the gross area of the face of the specimen immersed in water, (mm );

tso is the time of soaking, (s);

NOTE Specified in the relevant part of EN 771.

cw,s is the coefficient of water absorption due to capillary action for aggregate concrete autoclaved aerated
concrete, natural stone and manufactured stone masonry units;

2
cwi,s is the initial rate of water absorption for clay masonry units, [kg/(m × min)].

4
 BS EN 772-11:2011
EN 772-11:2011 (E)

5 Apparatus

5.1 Large tray of minimum depth of 20 mm and of plan area larger than the face of the masonry unit to be
immersed, fitted with a means of maintaining constant water level.

5.2 Supporting device of 400 mm2 maximum plan area to keep each specimen clear of the base of the
tray.

5.3 Stopwatch graduated in seconds.

5.4 Ventilated oven capable of maintaining a temperature of 70 °C ± 5 °C for aggregate concrete,

autoclaved aerated concrete, natural stone and manufactured stone units or 105 °C ± 5 °C for clay units.

5.5 Weighing instrument capable of weighing the specimens to an accuracy of 0,1 % of their mass
when dry.

6 Preparation of specimens

6.1 Sampling

The method of sampling shall be in accordance with the relevant part of EN 771. 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 Drying

Dry the test specimens to constant mass mdry,s in a ventilated oven (5.4) at a temperature of 70 °C ± 5 °C for
aggregate concrete, autoclaved aerated concrete, natural stone and manufactured stone masonry units or
105 °C ± 5 °C for clay masonry units. Constant mass is reached, if during the drying process in two subsequent
weighings with a 24 h interval, the loss in mass between the two determinations is not more than 0,1 % of the
total mass.

7 Test procedure
Allow the specimens to cool at room temperature. When cool, measure the dimensions of the faces to be
immersed in accordance with the principle incorporated in EN 772-16 and calculate the gross area As. Place
the specimens with their faces (bed faces in the case of clay units) supported on a supporting device (5.2) so
that they are clear of the base of the tray (5.1) and immerse in water to a depth of 5 mm ± 1 mm for the
duration of the test. In the case of masonry units with an extremely irregular face, raise the water-level in such a
way that the complete surface just makes contact with the water surface. For natural stone masonry units record
whether the test face is parallel or perpendicular to the bedding planes.

Activate the timing device. Maintain the water level constant throughout the test. For aggregate concrete,
autoclaved aerated concrete, natural stone and manufactured stone units, cover the tank to avoid evaporation
from the wet specimens.

After the immersion time (tso) specified in EN 771-1, EN 771-3, EN 771-4, EN 771-5 or EN 771-6 remove the
specimens, wipe off surface water and weigh them (mso,s).

For natural stone masonry units, remove the specimens from the water at regular intervals, wipe off the water,
weigh them, then re-immerse them. Continue this procedure until no further increase in mass is observed. For
some clay masonry units the initial rate of water absorption can differ for the two bed faces, in which case it will
be necessary to measure on both faces.

5
BS EN 772-11:2011
EN 772-11:2011 (E)

8 Calculation and expression of results

8.1 Coefficient of water absorption due to capillary action of aggregate concrete and
manufactured stone units

Calculate the coefficient of water absorption of the masonry units due to capillary action to the nearest
2
0,1g/m .s using the following formula:

mso,s − mdry,s
c w,s =
As ⋅t so
[ (
×10 6 g / m 2 ⋅ s )]

8.2 Coefficient of water absorption due to capillary action of autoclaved aerated concrete
and natural stone masonry units

Calculate the coefficient of water absorption of the masonry units due to capillary action of each specimen to
2 0,5
the nearest 1 g/(m × s ) using the following formula:

mso,s − mdry,s
c w,s = [ (
×10 6 g / m 2 × s 0,5 )]
As t so

mso,s − mdry,s
In the case of natural stone masonry units, plot a graph of against the square root of the time
As
immersed, in seconds. Calculate cw,s as the gradient over the initial linear portion of the graph.

8.3 Initial rate of water absorption of clay masonry units

2
Calculate the initial rate of water absorption of each clay masonry unit to the nearest 0,1 kg/(m × min) using
the following formula:

mso,s −mdry,s
c w,i =
As t
[
×10 3 kg / (m 2 × min ) ]
where t = 1 min.

9 Evaluation of results
For aggregate concrete and manufactured stone masonry units calculate the mean of the coefficients of water
2
absorption due to capillary action to the nearest 0,1 g/(m x s).

For autoclaved aerated concrete and natural stone masonry units calculate the mean of the coefficients of
2 0,5
water absorption due to capillary action to the nearest 1 g/(m x s ).

For clay masonry units calculate the mean of the initial rates of water absorption to the nearest
2
0,1 kg/(m × min).

6
 BS EN 772-11:2011
EN 772-11:2011 (E)

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

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

b) name of the organization that carried out the sampling and the method used;

c) date of testing (in the case of aggregate concrete, autoclaved aerated concrete and manufactured stone
masonry units only);

d) description of the specimens to the relevant part of EN 771;

e) number of specimens in the sample and whether these are whole units or representative portions thereof;

f) date of receipt of the specimens in the testing laboratory;

g) for aggregate concrete and manufactured stone masonry units, the individual values of water absorption
2
coefficient due to capillary action to the nearest 0,1 g(m x s) for each unit, the length of time of
2
immersion and the mean water absorption coefficient due to capillary action to the nearest 0,1 g(m x s);

h) for autoclaved aerated concrete and natural stone masonry units, the individual values of water
2 0,5
absorption coefficient due to capillary action to the nearest 1 g/(m x s ) for each unit, the length of time
of immersion and the mean water absorption coefficient due to capillary action to the nearest
2 0,5
1 g/(m x s ). For natural stone masonry units state whether the test face was parallel or perpendicular to
the bedding planes;

i) for clay masonry units, the individual values of initial rate of water absorption to the nearest
2 2
0,1 kg/(m × min), and the mean of the initial rates of water absorption to the nearest 0,1 kg/(m × min);

j) remarks, if any.

7
BS EN 772-11:2011
EN 772-11:2011 (E)

Annex A
(informative)

Significant technical changes between this European standard and the

previous edition

The coefficient of water absorption of aggregate concrete and manufactured stone masonry units is now
calculated to a new formula given in 8.1. In the previous edition, the formula now given in 8.2 had been
applied to these types of units also.

8
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