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    Understanding BS EN 771-3 Aggregate Concrete Masonry Units PDF

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    Hussein Beqai
    The document provides guidance on BS EN 771-3, the new harmonized European standard for aggregate concrete masonry units that will replace BS 6073-1 in the UK. Key changes include a shift to a performance-based approach, new requirements for testing, documentation and classification of units into groups based on void content. Dimensional tolerances have also changed with units now specified in length-width-height order instead of previous length-height-width order. The guidance aims to help specifiers and users understand and apply the new standard.

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    Understanding BS EN 771-3 Aggregate Concrete Masonry Units PDF

    Uploaded by

    Hussein Beqai
    2K views7 pages
    The document provides guidance on BS EN 771-3, the new harmonized European standard for aggregate concrete masonry units that will replace BS 6073-1 in the UK. Key changes include a shift to a performance-based approach, new requirements for testing, documentation and classification of units into groups based on void content. Dimensional tolerances have also changed with units now specified in length-width-height order instead of previous length-height-width order. The guidance aims to help specifiers and users understand and apply the new standard.

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    Understanding BS EN 771-3 Aggregate concrete masonry units.pdf

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    The document provides guidance on BS EN 771-3, the new harmonized European standard for aggregate concrete masonry units that will replace BS 6073-1 in the UK. Key changes include a shift to a performance-based approach, new requirements for testing, documentation and classification of units into groups based on void content. Dimensional tolerances have also changed with units now specified in length-width-height order instead of previous length-height-width order. The guidance aims to help specifiers and users understand and apply the new standard.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    2K views7 pages

    Understanding BS EN 771-3 Aggregate Concrete Masonry Units PDF

    Uploaded by

    Hussein Beqai
    The document provides guidance on BS EN 771-3, the new harmonized European standard for aggregate concrete masonry units that will replace BS 6073-1 in the UK. Key changes include a shift to a performance-based approach, new requirements for testing, documentation and classification of units into groups based on void content. Dimensional tolerances have also changed with units now specified in length-width-height order instead of previous length-height-width order. The guidance aims to help specifiers and users understand and apply the new standard.

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    of 7
    At a glance
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    The key takeaways are that BS EN 771-3 is a new performance standard for aggregate concrete masonry units that replaces BS 6073-1. It introduces new requirements, test methods, groupings and categories of units.

    The main differences are that BS EN 771-3 is a performance standard based on finished products, requires type testing and factory production control by manufacturers, and specifies dimensions in a different order (Length, width, height).

    The different groupings of units introduced in BS EN 771-3 are Group 1 to 4 based on percentages of vertical, horizontal and total voids.

    60 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FB

    Tel: 0116 253 6161 Fax: 0116 251 4568


    Email: [email protected] Website: www.cba-blocks.org.uk

    February 2006

    Understanding BS EN 771-3: Aggregate


    concrete masonry units
    Important guidance for specifiers and users on a new Standard
    for aggregate concrete blocks

    Introduction

    BS EN 771-3: Aggregate concrete masonry units (Dense and lightweight


    aggregates) is a new harmonized Standard for aggregate concrete bricks
    and blocks. It will replace BS 6073-1 in April 2006 after a 12-month period
    of co-existence.

    There is no doubt that over a period of 24 years BS 6073-1 has served our
    industry well in developing concise and unambiguous specifications for
    aggregate concrete bricks and blocks used in far ranging applications.

    Like most British Standards it has been necessary to adapt BS 6073-1 to


    suit an enlarged market as well as to reflect up to date materials testing and
    regulatory requirements.

    This Guide to BS EN 771-3: has been prepared to assist anyone involved in


    the design, specification and ordering of aggregate concrete blocks to understand
    the changes and thereby continue to make the specification and procurement
    of aggregate concrete blocks as straightforward as possible.

    Background

    BS EN 771-3 Aggregate concrete masonry units is written as a performance


    standard which means that all requirements are based on the finished product,
    rather than prescriptive standards which limit the materials that can be used
    in manufacture.

    Unlike BS 6073, BS EN 771-3 requires a manufacturer to conduct limited type


    testing and have a documented factory production control system. A third
    party to monitor the factory production control system is not essential.

    The test methods for the required properties are listed in BS EN 771-3.
    Some of these test methods are familiar but others are new.

    1
    Groupings of units are introduced.

    Categories of units are introduced.

    It contains a national foreword and a national annex, which between them


    explain the essential differences between BS 6073 and BS EN 771-3.

    Requirements

    Dimensions
    These have to be declared in the order: Length, width & height. (e.g. 440mm
    x 100mm x 215mm). This is an important distinction between the previous
    custom of specifying and ordering blocks based on dimensions in the order
    of length x height x width (thickness).

    BS EN 771-3 gives 4 tolerance classes (D1, D2, D3 & D4). Class D1


    (+3, -5mm on all dimensions) is the most appropriate for common block
    applications. Tolerance D4 is intended solely for blocks to be laid with thin
    joint mortar, a technique rarely used in the UK.

    Closer tolerances on any dimension may also be declared by the


    manufacturer for any tolerance category.

    The test method for dimensions is BS EN 772-16.

    Configuration
    Reference is made to the requirements of the groupings of units used in the
    European Masonry Design Code (BS EN 1996-1-1).

    BS EN 1996-1-1 puts lower limits on:

    Shell thickness
    Web thickness

    but these limits are generally much lower than used in current UK designs
    and are normally easily complied with using current aggregate block products.

    BS EN 1996-1-1 also categorizes units according to void percentages as


    follows:

    Group 1 < 25% formed vertical voids by volume


    Group 2 > 25% < 60% formed vertical voids by volume
    Group 3 > 25% < 70% formed vertical voids by volume
    Group 4 > 25% < 50% formed horizontal voids by volume

    2
    See Annex A for full details of the requirements for unit groupings.

    Blocks currently described as solid will become Group 1 units. Cellular and
    hollow blocks will, depending on void content, will be described as Group 1
    or 2 units. Group 3 and 4 units are not commonly manufactured for use in
    the UK.

    Configuration also covers flatness requirements for the faces of facing quality
    units only, and flatness requirements for the bed surfaces of units to be used
    with thin layer mortar in D4 tolerance category.

    There is also a requirement for the parallelism of bed faces of units to be


    used with thin layer mortar in conjunction with the D4 tolerance category.
    For facing units there is an optional but strongly recommended procedure
    for the site approval of the appearance of unit prior to their use.

    Density
    The gross dry density of the blocks has to be declared by the manufacturer.
    The standard also requires net dry density to be given when it is relevant
    to the application. The net dry density is rarely likely to be a necessity in
    practice.

    A density tolerance of + or 10% is allowed on both gross and net density.

    The appropriate test method is BS EN 772-13.

    The compressive strength will need to be declared air dry. The conditioning
    and surface preparation used need to be declared by the manufacturer.
    The appropriate test method is BS EN 772-1.

    Annex B gives new strengths referred to in Building Regulations and British


    Standards. These are slightly higher than strengths determined to BS 6073.

    The manufacturer will declare whether a unit is category I or category II.


    A category I unit would be approximately equivalent to special category
    as defined in BS 5628-1 and would require third party certification and
    monitoring of the production control system.

    Thermal properties
    In the UK, configuration and density is used primarily as the basis for the
    declaration of thermal properties. Manufacturers will still be allowed to give
    thermal resistance values of products using values from CIBSE Guide A.
    (For cellular/hollow units the thermal resistance can be calculated to
    BS EN ISO 6946 taking off the surface resistance values).

    3
    Durability
    Generally durability compliance criteria are to be found in BS 5628-3.

    Water absorption by capillarity


    Water absorption is only applicable to facing units with no applied finish.
    The appropriate test method is BS EN 772-11, (Clay and aircrete units
    use the same test method but using different procedures within the
    method and these will lead to test results for the products, which cannot
    be directly compared).

    Moisture movement
    This will now be declared to a new test method, which is a combination of
    drying shrinkage and wetting expansion.

    The appropriate test method is BS EN 772-14 (Aircrete is tested to


    BS EN 680 and this will lead to lower values which cannot be compared
    directly with results to BS EN 772-14).

    Water vapour permeability


    Tabulated values are likely to be declared in accordance BS EN 1745,
    BS 5250 & CIBSE Guide Book. If tested, values can be determined to
    BS EN ISO 12572.

    Reaction to fire (spread of flame)


    If the manufacturer uses materials that result in a unit containing more than
    1% by mass or volume of organic material then he is responsible for the
    following tests to be carried out:

    BS EN ISO 1182 Reaction to fire tests for building materials.


    Non- combustibility test.

    BS EN ISO 1716 Reaction to fire test for building materials Determination of


    the heat of combustion.

    And the results need to be classified according to BS EN 13501-1.

    Shear bond strength


    A value of shear bond strength needs to be given and it is recommended that
    the tabulated value of 0.15 N/mm from Annex C of BS EN 998-2 is declared.

    (The tabulated value or a measured value is of no practical use as bond


    strength in practice will be dependent on a number of factors outside the
    control of the producer and a value could not be guaranteed as being
    universally applicable, but only for a set of specific conditions, which would
    be difficult to replicate on site).

    4
    Flexural bond strength
    This requirement only applies in Finland and therefore a value need not be
    given as there is no regulatory requirement for this property to be declared
    in the UK.

    Classification
    There are no classification systems for masonry units in the UK but there
    are in some EU countries.

    Marking
    It is anticipated that product identification details and means of identification
    of the date of manufacture will be given on delivery documentation and on
    the product where appropriate.

    5
    Annex A

    Groupings of concrete units from EN 1996-1-1

    Limits for Masonry Units


    Group 2 Group 3 Group 4
    Group 1
    Horizontal
    (all materials) Vertical Holes
    Holes
    Volume of all
    holes (% of
    < 25 > 25; < 60 > 25; < 70 > 25; < 50
    the gross
    volume)

    Volume of Each of Each of


    any hole (% multiple holes < multiple holes < Each of multiple
    < 12,5
    of the gross 30 gripholes up 30 gripholes up holes < 25
    volume) to a total of 30 to a total of 30

    Declared Web Shell Web Shell Web Shell


    values of
    No
    thickness (b)
    Requirement
    of webs and
    > 15 > 18 > 15 > 15 > 20 > 20
    shells (mm)

    Declared
    value of
    combined
    thickness (a) No
    (b) > 18 > 15 > 45
    of webs Requirement
    and shells
    (% of the
    overall width)

    a) The combined thickness is the thickness of the webs and shells, measured
    horizontally across the unit at right angles to the face of the wall. The check is to
    be seen as a qualification test and need only be repeated in the case of principal
    changes to the design dimensions of units.

    b) In the case of conical holes, or cellular holes, use the mean of the thickness of
    the webs and the shells.

    6
    Annex B

    Compressive strength of units


    To BS 6073-1 To BS EN 771-3
    2.8 2.9
    3.5 3.6
    5.0 5.2
    7.0 7.3
    10.0 10.4

    Preferred higher unit compressive strengths


    BS 5628-1: 2005
    BS 5628-1: 1992 BS 5628-2: 2005
    BS 5628-2: 2000 (Not equivalent to 1992 &
    2000 strengths)

    17.5
    15
    22.5
    20
    30.0
    35
    40.0

    To order a copy of the full standards please visit: www.bsonline.bsi-global.com

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