: Test specimens (often ten units) must be prepared according to specific dimensions and surface conditions. Surfaces may need to be "capped" with mortar or ground flat to ensure even load distribution.
BS EN 772-1 is a European Standard adopted as a British Standard, developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) under committee B/519. It is intended to apply to the testing of all common masonry units, including clay, calcium silicate, aggregate concrete, and autoclaved aerated concrete masonry units, among others.
The official document is available through the shop.
If your search for "BS EN 7721 PDF" inadvertently omits the "EN" or the hyphen, you might encounter a different standard: .
The compression machine must meet strict accuracy and repeatability limits, typically with a maximum permissible repeatability of 2.0% of the indicated force. bs en 7721 pdf
The BS EN 772-1 PDF document provides detailed guidance on the testing and evaluation of masonry units. The standard covers the following aspects:
is a part of the BS EN 772 series, which deals specifically with the Methods of test for masonry units .
The next morning, John and Michael presented their findings to the project team. With a clear plan in place to address the compressive strength issue, they were able to move forward with confidence.
: Specimens are treated to a specific moisture state before testing. Common conditioning methods include: : Test specimens (often ten units) must be
The final result is calculated by dividing the maximum load by the area of the bearing surface. The standard guides how to calculate the "normalized strength," which adjusts the result based on the size and format of the unit, allowing for comparison between different types of masonry.
Compliance with is essential for several reasons: BS EN 772-1:2011+A1:2015 - BSI Knowledge
For manufacturers and quality control engineers, having the official, up-to-date is non-negotiable. The PDF provides:
is a European Standard that has been adopted as a British Standard. Its full title is: "Drainage channels for vehicular and pedestrian areas – Slotted top surfaces and/or gratings – Requirements, testing and marking." It is intended to apply to the testing
For construction professionals, engineers, and testing laboratories, having access to the official is vital.
While "BS EN" refers to British and European standards, related safety or technical standards in other fields include:
| Standard Designation | Title | Core Focus | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Methods of test for masonry units - Determination of compressive strength | The most frequently referenced part, specifying the procedure to determine the compressive strength (load-bearing capacity) of a masonry unit. | | BS EN 772-2:1998 | Methods of test for masonry units - Determination of percentage area of voids in masonry units (by paper indentation) | Outlines a method for calculating the percentage of voids within a masonry unit, which affects its weight, thermal properties, and strength. | | BS EN 772-7:1998 | Methods of test for masonry units - Determination of water absorption of clay masonry units by boiling in water | Specifies a test to measure how much water a clay masonry unit absorbs after being boiled, a key indicator of its durability in wet conditions. | | BS EN 772-9:1998 | Methods of test for masonry units - Determination of volume and percentage of voids and net volume of clay and calcium silicate masonry units by sand filling | Provides a test method using sand to accurately determine the volume of voids and the net volume of the unit material itself. | | BS EN 772-11:2011 | Methods of test for masonry units - 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 | Describes tests for capillary water absorption (wicking) for various unit types and the initial rate of absorption (suction) for clay units. | | BS EN 772-16:2011 | Methods of test for masonry units - Determination of dimensions | Defines a method for determining the overall dimensions, thickness, and other geometric properties of masonry units. | | BS EN 772-20:2000 | Methods of test for masonry units - Determination of flatness of faces of masonry units | Specifies a test to measure the flatness of the bed faces of a masonry unit, which is crucial for a uniform mortar bed. | | BS EN 772-21:2011 | Methods of test for masonry units - Determination of water absorption of clay and calcium silicate masonry units by cold water absorption | Describes a method for determining water absorption by immersing units in cold water, a different approach than the boiling method in Part 7. | | BS EN 772-22:2018 | Methods of test for masonry units - Determination of freeze/thaw resistance of clay masonry units | Specifies a method to determine a clay unit's resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, categorizing them as F1 or F2 based on their durability. |
The units are placed in a compression testing machine. The machine applies a vertical, increasing load until the unit fails (cracks or breaks). The machine must be calibrated to ensure accuracy in the results. 3. Calculation of Results