CONCRETE TILE CHARACTERISTICS ACCORDING TO EN 1339

Standard EN 1339 establishes a series of

requirements for concrete tiles, in some cases
associated with classes or categories that include a
marking code.

It distinguishes between single-layer tiles

(a single type of concrete) and double-layer tiles
(in this case the facing layer shall have a
minimum thickness of 4 mm). The agglomerated
materials may or may not appear at the surface.
The edges may be sharp (square), bevelled, or
rounded, and their dimensions (horizontal and
Cross-section at the edge of a concrete tile vertical) shall not exceed 2 mm (if they do exceed
1- Chamfer 2- Height this, they shall be considered chamfers and the
α- border coning
manufacturer shall state their dimension). The
tiles may also include functional and/or decorative
profiles which are, however, not included in the nominal dimensions of the tiles. The visible
surface may be texturised and receive mechanical and chemical treatments, and the
manufacturer shall declare and describe these.

Dimensional requirements

Concrete tiles are subject to maximum tolerances in their dimensional characteristics

as regards length, width, and thickness, measurement of diagonals (rectangularity), and
flatness, which are summarised in the following table.

MAXIMUM DIMENSIONAL TOLERANCES OF CONCRETE TILES

Maximum tolerances (en mm)
Class Marking Nominal dimension (mm)
Length Width Thickness
1 N All ±5 ±5 ±3
≤ 600 ±2 ±2 ±3
2 P
> 600 ±3 ±3 ±3
3 R All ±2 ±2 ±2
Note: The difference between two measurements of the length, width, and thickness of a given tile shall be ≤ 3 mm

Concrete tiles and paving blocks 1

Concrete tile characteristics according to EN 1339
 MAXIMUM DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MEASUREMENT OF THE TWO DIAGONALS
Class Marking Diagonal (mm) Maximum Difference (en mm)
≤ 850 5
1 J
> 850 8
≤ 850 3
2 K
> 850 6
≤ 850 2
3 L
> 850 4

MAXIMUM TOLERANCES OF FLATNESS AND CURVATURE

Length of the measuring apparatus Maximum convexity Maximum concavity
(mm) (mm) (mm)
300 1.5 1.0
400 2.0 1.5
500 2.5 1.5
800 4.0 2.5

Climate resistance

In order to define and evaluate this parameter, tile water absorption (in % by weight),
obtained according to the test described in Annex E of the standard, and the mass loss per
unit surface area (kg/m2) after the frost resistance test with de-icer salts (Annex D). The
results of both tests determine certain classes and marking codes, which are summed up in the
following table.

CLIMATE RESISTANCE OF CONCRETE TILES

Class Marking Water absorption (% by weight)
1 A Non-measured characteristic

2 B ≤ 6 as an average

3 D Mass loss after 28 frost/thaw cycles

≤ 1.0 kg/m2 as an average
No individual value > 1.5 kg/m2

Bending strength and breaking load

The test envisaged in Annex E of standard EN 1339 allows concrete tiles to be

classified with their related marking codes as a function of tile strength, in the same
categories as in standard EN 13748-2 for terrazzo tiles for external use (albeit with a different
code).
Concrete tiles and paving blocks 2
Concrete tile characteristics according to EN 1339
 MINIMUM BENDING STRENGTH OF CONCRETE TILES
Class Marking Characteristic value (MPa) Minimum tested value (MPa)
1 S 3.5 2.8
2 T 4.0 3.2
3 U 5.0 4.0

MINIMUM BREAKING LOAD OF CONCRETE TILES

Class Marking Characteristic value (kN) Minimum tested value (kN)
30 3 3.0 2.4
45 4 4.5 3.6
70 7 7.0 5.6
110 11 11.0 8.8
140 14 14.0 11.2
250 25 25.0 20.0
300 30 30.0 24.0

Abrasive wear resistance

This characteristic is evaluated according to the deep abrasion resistance test using an
abrasive disc (‘Capon’ method according to Annex G of the standard), measuring the length
of the groove produced on the surface (in mm); or by means of the Böhm test (Annex H of
the standard), in which the volume loss of the test piece per unit surface area is measured (in
mm3/mm2), through the mass loss and density of the material. Depending on the results, the
tests envisage four abrasion resistance classes, as detailed in the following table.

Abrasion Resistance of Concrete Tiles

Class Marking Maximum groove length (mm) Böhm test (mm3/mm2)
Annex G Annex H
1 F Non-measured characteristic Non-measured characteristic
2 G ≤ 26 ≤ 26000/5000
3 H ≤ 23 ≤ 20000/5000
4 I ≤ 20 ≤ 18000/5000

Concrete tiles and paving blocks 3

Concrete tile characteristics according to EN 1339
Slip resistance

The usual texture, stemming from the manufacturing process without subsequent
mechanical or chemical treatments, is generally considered to provide concrete tiles with
satisfactory slip resistance. In case of doubt, the tiles should be tested with the friction
pendulum (Annex I of the standard), the results of the test being stated by the manufacturer.

Since concrete tiles are intended for external public paving, the SU 1 document of the
Spanish CTE is applicable, with the friction resistance requirements that are envisaged there.
The test shall always be applied to polished tiles or tiles that receive a mortar layer or cement
slurry.

Reaction to fire

Owing to the composition of the materials used in the manufacture of concrete tiles,
these are classified A1fl without any need for testing (Commission Decision 96/603/EC,
amended).

Concrete tiles intended for decks have the same classification in regard to their fire
performance (Commission Decision 2000/553/EC), in this case in the parameter ‘external fire
performance’.

Thermal conductivity

This characteristic is related to the insulation capacity of concrete tiles in their use in
internal floors and decks in order to calculate the thermal performance of a construction
element. This is measured with test EN 13369.

Visual appearance

The standard establishes the appearance related to uniformity and the match with the
sample regarding colour, texture and outward form (absence of defects, such as cracks and
exfoliation; in addition, double-layer tiles shall display no delamination).

Concrete tiles and paving blocks 4

Concrete tile characteristics according to EN 1339