‫ﻫﻴﺌﺔ ﺍﻝﺘﻘﻴﻴﺱ ﻝﺩﻭل ﻤﺠﻠﺱ ﺍﻝﺘﻌﺎﻭﻥ ﻝﺩﻭل ﺍﻝﺨﻠﻴﺞ ﺍﻝﻌﺭﺒﻴﺔ‬

‫)‪GCC STANDARDIZATION ORGANIZATION (GSO‬‬

‫‪GSO 1912/2009‬‬

‫ﻁﺭﻕ ﺍﺨﺘﺒﺎﺭ ﺍﻝﻁﻭﺏ )ﺍﻝﻁﺎﺒﻭﻕ( ﺍﻝﺨﺭﺴﺎﻨﻲ ﺍﻝﻤﻔﺭﻍ ﻭﺍﻝﻤﺼﻤﺕ‬

‫‪Methods of Test Hollow and Solid Concrete Blocks‬‬

‫‪ICS : 91.100.00‬‬
Methods of Test Hollow and Solid Concrete Blocks

Date of GSO Technical Council : 14-16/2/1430h (10-12/2/2009)

Issuing Status : Standard
GSO STANDARD GSO 1912/2009

Foreword

GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) is a regional Organization which consists of the

National Standards Bodies of GCC member States. One of GSO main functions is to issue
Gulf Standards /Technical regulations through specialized technical committees (TCs).
GSO through the technical program of committee TC No (6) "Technical Committee of
Building Materials Standards" has prepared this Standard. The Draft Standard has been
prepared by Sultanate of Oman .
The draft Standard has been prepared based on relevant ADMO, International and National
foreign Standards and references.
This standard has been approved as a Gulf Standard by GSO Technical Council in its meeting
No.(15), held on 14-16/2/1430h (10-12/2/2009) .

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GSO STANDARD GSO 1912/2009

Method of test Hollow and Solid Concrete Blocks

1. Scope
This Standard specifies Methods of Testing Hollow and Solid Concrete Blocks.
2. Normative References
2.1 GSO 1911 "Hollow Concrete Blocks".
2.2 GSO 1910 "Solid Concrete Blocks".
3. Test for Measurement of Size:
3.1 All measurements shall be performed on clean blocks and made to the nearest
1.0mm using either a steel rule or a gauge or caliper having a scale graduated in
1mm division and having parallel jaws.
3.2 The length shall be the average of 4 readings measured along both beds and both
faces from the mid-points of the edges bounding the ends to include the outside
face of the texture.
3.3 The depth shall be the average of 6 readings, measured across both faces and both
ends from the mid-points of the edges bounding the beds.
3.4 The width shall be the average of 5 readings, measured both beds and both ends
from the mid-points of the edges bounding the faces to include the outside face of
the texture.
3.5 The web and shell thickness shall be the average of 4 readings, measured along
the top face of the hollow block.
Reporting shall include the sizes for individual samples and the overall average of
samples to the nearest 1mm.
4. Test for Water Absorption:
4.1 Test Specimens:
Full block or a part of it if the size of the block is larger than the space of the oven.
4.2 Apparatus:
4.2.1 Fan circulated drying oven.
4.2.2 Scale or balance sensitive to 0.01g.
4.3 Procedure:
4.3.1 Test specimens shall be dried in a fan circulated oven at (100-105oC) for a period
not less than 24 hours, the mass of each specimen shall be determined when cool
after oven drying and repeated every two hours until the difference between two
individual readings is less than 0.2% relative to the last reading.
4.3.2 Saturation:
The dry specimen shall be weighed and submerged in clean water tank having
temperature (20±5oC) in such a manner that water can circulate freely on all sides
of the specimen. The water shall be heated to boiling within 1 hour, boiled

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GSO STANDARD GSO 1912/2009

continuously for 5 hours and then allowed to cool by natural loss of heat to room
temperature for not less than 16 or more than 19 hours. The specimen shall then
be removed, the surface water wiped off with a damp cloth, and the mass of the
specimen determined within 2 minutes after the specimen removed from the bath.
4.4 Calculations:
The water absorption of specimen shall be calculated to the nearest 0.1% as
follows.
Absorption, Percent = 100(B-A) / A
Where:
A = Dry mass of the specimen at (100-115oC)
B = Saturated mass of the specimen after 5 hours submersion in boiling water
The Absorption of the individual specimens in percent and the average absorption
of all the specimens tested shall be reported.
5. Test for Drying Shrinkage:
5.1 Apparatus:
5.1.1 Suitable measuring instrument of precision 0.001mm, properly installed in a
standard frame, whose end fit with reference gauge points. A standard reference
metallic bar of a length equal to the length of specimens and of low coefficient of
thermal expansion.
5.1.2 Drying Oven
5.1.3 Suitable dishes or trays containing enough quantity of calcium chloride solution.
The dishes shall be provided to give an exposed area of not less than 1000mm2 for
each liter of oven volume.
5.2 Preparations of specimens:
A test specimen shall be taken from test unit, such that its length not less than
150mm and not more than 200mm with cross-sectional area closed to 75x75mm2.
Incase of small blocks the test specimen to be taken as whole unit.
Place a pair of reference metallic spherical gauge plugs on each specimen end.
The plug diameter is about 6.3 – 6.5mm. Drill plug holes slightly smaller in size
than the plug diameter to a depth of about 2.0mm. The plugs to be fixed by means
of quick hardened Portland cement or any approved alternate cementing agent.
The reference gauge plugs should be covered with metallic grease to avoid rust.
Spare specimens should be prepared and stored in tight containers at room
temperature for testing as required.
5.3 Procedure:
5.3.1 Immerse the prepared specimens in water for 4-7 days at a temperature (23±2oC),
at least for the last 4 hours.
5.3.2 Immediately after removing specimens from water the metallic grease to be
cleaned from the reference metallic gauge plugs, and initial length reading to be
taken by the measuring instrument to nearest 0.001mm.

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GSO STANDARD GSO 1912/2009

5.3.3 Specimens to be dried in the drying oven for a period not less than 44 hours at
temperature (50±1oC). The relative humidity inside the oven about 17% which is
controlled by the saturated calcium chloride solution placed inside the oven.
5.3.4 Specimens are removed from the oven, and cool for a period not less than 4 hours
in a cooling cabinet contains powder of calcium chloride.
Each specimen then measured at the temperature (23±2oC) and the difference
between the sample length and the standard reference bar length is recorded.
5.3.5 The process of drying, cooling and measuring shall be repeated until a constant
reading is obtained. The constant reading is obtained when the difference between
two readings (0.005mm) of 24 hours of drying period followed by 4 hours cooling
period for a specimen of length 150mm.
The last constant reading between the specimen and the standard reference bar is
the dry measurement.
Note: Any other wet specimens should not be placed in the drying oven during the
drying process.
5.3.6 After dry measurement is taken, the length of the specimens is recorded to the
nearest 0.001mm, and this is considered the dry length measurement.
5.4 Calculations:
The drying shrinkage for each specimen is calculated as the difference between the
original wet measurement and the dry measurement considered as a percentage
from dry length.
The drying shrinkage average is taken to the nearest 0.005%.
The drying shrinkage for each specimen and the drying shrinkage average to be
reported.

Original Wet Measurement – Dry Measurement

Drying Shrinkage (%) = x 100
Dry Length Measurement

6. Test for Compressive Strength:

6.1 Sample Preparation:
6.1.1 Solid and Hollow Blocks free of cavities:
Solid and Hollow Blocks free of cavities shall be submerged in water at room
temperature for at least 24 h; or in boiling water for at least 5 h prior to the testing.
6.1.2 Specimens containing cavities:
Hollow specimens containing cavities shall be submerged in water at room
temperature for at least 16 h; or in boiling water for at least 5 h prior to the testing.
Remove specimens from water and allow draining until the specimens stop
dripping. Both bed faces of each specimen shall be capped with mortar made of
sand and rapid hardening cement as described below.

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GSO STANDARD GSO 1912/2009

Firmly mount the steel plate or sheet glass with the working face upward so that
the surface is level. Apply suitable release agent. Place a uniform layer of mortar,
about 5mm. Press the bed face of the specimen firmly into the layer of mortar so
that the vertical axis of the specimen is perpendicular with the plane of the plate.
Ensure that the thickness of the mortar bed is at least 3mm over the whole area
make three number 75x75mm cubes from the same mortar used for capping.
Allow both the specimens and cubes to remain undisturbed for at least 16 h by
covering with damp burlap. De-mould both the cubes and the capped specimens.
If the capping is free from defects, cap the second bed face in the same way as the
first using fresh mortar and make three more cubes as before. Allow both the
specimens and cubes to remain undisturbed for at least 16 h by covering with
damp burlap. De-mould both the cubes and the bedded specimens. If capping is
free from defects, submerge cubes and specimens in water.
Before the capping, any cavity in the bed face, which is normally filled when
blocks are laid in the wall, should be completely filled with similar mortar being
used for capping. But cavities which are formed in the block for light weight shall
not be filled. Specimens having two or more significant cavities are filled-in one
cavity at a time. After the filling of each cavity, allow the specimen to remain
undisturbed for 4 to 8 h by covering with damp burlap.
When the mortar has reached a cube strength of at least 28 N/mm2, remove the
capped specimens about 30 min prior to be tested and allow to drain until the
specimen stops dripping.
6.1.3 If the surfaces which will become bearing faces during compression test, are
recessed or beveled, fill the depressions with one of the following methods.
6.1.3.l Gypsum Capping:
Bed one of the dry surfaces of the specimen in a thin coat of neat paste of calcined
gypsum (Plaster of Paris) that has been spread on an oiled non-absorbent plate,
such as glass or machined metal. The casting shall be sufficiently rigid and so
supported that it will not be measurably deflected during the capping operation.
Lightly coat it with oil or other suitable material. Repeat this procedure with the
other surface. Take care that the opposite bearing surfaces so formed will be
approximately parallel and perpendicular to the vertical axis of the specimen and
that the thickness of the caps will be approximately the same and not exceeding
3mm. Age the caps at least 16 hours before testing the specimens.
6.1.3.2 Mortar Capping:
The mortar shall be composed of the similar mix used for the reference cubes
mentioned in 6.1.2, and shall follow the procedure explained in 6.1.3.1 above.
6.1.3.3 Plywood Plate
For uniform bearing, place the specimen between plywood plates, not less than
2.5mm thick and not more than 5mm thickness to take up irregularities.Ensure
that the plywood extends min 5mm beyond the faces of the block all round. Use a
fresh pair of plywood plates for each test.
6.1.3.4 Fiber Board Plate

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GSO STANDARD GSO 1912/2009

For uniform bearing, place the specimen between fiber board sheets, not less than
12mm thick and not more than 25mm thickness to take up irregularities. Ensure
that the fiber board extends min 10mm beyond the faces of the block all round.
Use a fresh pair of plywood sheets for each test.
6.2 Testing Machine:
Compression Test Machine shall be hydraulically operated with pacing device to
control the rate of loading. The machine shall be equipped with two steel bearing
platens which shall normally be as large as the bedding faces of the specimens.
The upper platen is spherically seated to align freely with the specimen, but the
bottom platen is rigid and non-tilting on which the specimen is kept for testing.
6.3 Test Procedure:
When the mortar has reached a cube strength of at least 28 N/mm2, remove the
capped specimens about 30 min prior to be tested and allow to drain until the
specimen stops dripping. Test specimens whilst it is still in a wet condition.
Mount the test specimen in the machine (with or with out packing as appropriate)
so that its centroid coincides with the axis of loading.
Apply the load without shock and increase it continuously at a rate of 5±0.5
N/mm2. Maintain the loading rate, as far as possible, right up to failure. Record
the maximum compressive load to the nearest 100 Newton.
6.4 Calculation of Compressive Strength
Calculate the Gross Area Compressive Strength of each specimen by dividing the
maximum load obtained from 6.3 by the area of the bed face of the respective
specimen. Record the Crushing Strength in N/mm2 to the nearest 0.5 N/mm2 as
follows.
Maximum Compressive Load in
Compressive Strength (N/mm ) = 2 Newton
Gross Bed Face in Square Millimeter