Masonry units and masonry specimens are sometimes removed as part of an assessment of the condition of masonry construction. This document is intended to standardize the preparation of such units and masonry specimens for compressive strength testing.

Note 1-Masonry specimens removed from existing masonry construction (single wythe, multi-wythe or portions thereof) will sometimes contain mortar, grout, reinforcement, or accessory materials.

This practice provides information pertaining to the removal of hardened mortar, cleaning, and other special preparation required prior to compressive strength testing of a manufactured masonry unit or masonry specimen that has been removed from usage.

This practice does not address test procedures or the use of test results conducted on removed specimens. This practice does not determine whether removed masonry materials met original specification requirements.

Note 2-Compressive strength test results of masonry units and masonry specimens extracted from the field are expected to vary from and will likely be less than compressive strength test results of masonry units that have not been placed in service or masonry prisms that have been constructed within a controlled environment. Comparison of results of tests conducted on specimens removed from service to those of masonry units prior to use or of constructed prisms is difficult. Considerable judgment is typically required for the selection and preparation of specimens removed from service.