Designation: C 1329 03

Standard Specification for

Mortar Cement1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1329; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope C 185 Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement

1.1 This specification covers three types of mortar cement Mortar3
for use where mortar for masonry is required. C 187 Test Method for Normal Consistency of Hydraulic
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the Cement3
standard. Values in SI units shall be obtained by measurement C 188 Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement3
in SI units or by appropriate conversion, using the Rules for C 219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement3
Conversion and Rounding given in IEEE/ASTM SI 10, of C 230/C 230M Specification for Flow Table for Use in Tests
measurements made in other units. of Hydraulic Cement3
1.3 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes C 266 Test Method for Time of Setting of Hydraulic-
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes Cement Paste by Gillmore Needles3
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered C 305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement
as requirements of the standard. Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency3
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to C 430 Test Method for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by
Annex A1. This standard does not purport to address all of the the 45-m (No. 325) Sieve3
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the C 511 Specification for Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms, and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- Water Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- Cements and Concretes3
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (WarningFresh C 778 Specification for Standard Sand3
hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause C 780 Test Method for Preconstruction and Construction
chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.2) Evaluation of Mortars for Plain and Reinforced Unit
Masonry5
2. Referenced Documents C 1072 Test Method for Measurement of Masonry Flexural
2.1 ASTM Standards: Bond Strength5
C 91 Specification for Masonry Cement3 C 1506 Test Method for Water Retention of Hydraulic
C 109/C 109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cement-Based Mortars and Plasters3
Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or 50-mm Cube IEEE/ASTM SI 10 Standard for Use of the International
Specimens)3 System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System6
C 128 Test Method for Specific Gravity and Absorption of
3. Terminology
Fine Aggregate4
C 140 Test Methods of Sampling and Testing Concrete 3.1 DefinitionsTerms used in this specification are defined
Masonry Units5 in Terminology C 219.
C 151 Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Portland 3.2 Definition of Term Specific to This Standard:
Cement3 3.2.1 mortar cementa hydraulic cement, primarily used in
C 183 Practice for Sampling and the Amount of Testing of masonry construction, consisting of a mixture of portland or
Hydraulic Cement3 blended hydraulic cement and plasticizing materials (such as
limestone or hydrated or hydraulic lime), together with other
materials introduced to enhance one or more properties such as
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C01 on setting time, workability, water retention, and durability.
Cement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C01.11 on Masonry 3.2.1.1 DiscussionMortar cement is similar to masonry
Cement.
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 2003. Published May 2003. Originally cement in use and function. However, this specification re-
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as C 1329-00. quires lower air contents and includes a flexural bond strength
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01. See the section on Safety requirement.
Precautions in the Manual of Cement Testing.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
5 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.04.

Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 C 1329 03
4. Classification 11. Time of Setting
4.1 Mortar cements are classified as Type N, S, or M, 11.1 Determine the time of setting by the Gillmore needle
according to the physical requirements prescribed in Table 1. method in accordance with Test Method C 266.

5. Physical Properties 12. Density

5.1 Mortar cement shall conform to the applicable require- 12.1 Determine the density of the mortar cement in accor-
ments prescribed in Table 1 for its classification. dance with Test Method C 188, using kerosine as the liquid.
Use the density so determined in the calculation of the air
6. Sampling content of the mortars.
6.1 At the option of the purchaser, the cement shall be
13. Apparatus for Mortar Tests
sampled and tested to verify compliance with this specification,
sampling and testing shall be performed in accordance with 13.1 Weights and Weighing Devices, Sieves, Glass Gradu-
Practice C 183. ates, Specimen (Cube) Molds, Tamper, Trowel, and Testing
6.2 Practice C 183 is not designed for manufacturing quality Machine, as described in Test Method C 109/C 109M.
control and is not required for manufacturers certification. 13.2 Flow Table, conforming to the requirements prescribed
in Specification C 230/C 230M.
7. Temperature and Humidity 13.3 Mixing Apparatus, conforming to the requirements
7.1 The temperature and relative humidity of the air in the prescribed in Practice C 305.
vicinity of the mixing slab and dry materials, molds, base 13.4 Measure, Tapping Stick, and Spoon, conforming to the
plates, and mixing bowl shall conform to the requirements of requirements given in Test Method C 185.
Test Method C 109/C 109M. 14. Blended Sand
7.2 The moist cabinet or moist room shall conform to the
requirements of Specification C 511. 14.1 The sand shall be a blend of equal parts by weight of
graded standard sand and 2030 standard sand conforming to
8. Fineness Specification C 778.
8.1 Determine the residue on the 45-m (No. 325) sieve in 15. Preparation of Mortar
accordance with Test Method C 430.
15.1 Proportions for MortarMortar for air entrainment,
9. Normal Consistency compressive strength, and water retention tests shall be pro-
portioned to contain 1620 g of sand and a mass of cement, in
9.1 Determine the normal consistency by the Vicat appara- grams, as indicated in Table 2. The sand shall consist of 810 g
tus in accordance with Test Method C 187. of graded standard sand and 810 g of 20-30 standard sand
(Note 1). The quantity of water, measured in millilitres, shall
10. Autoclave Expansion
be such as to produce a flow of 110 6 5 as determined by Test
10.1 Determine the autoclave expansion in accordance with Method C 109/C 109M.
Test Method C 151. After molding, store the bars in the moist
cabinet or room for 48 h 6 30 min before removal from the NOTE 1Historically, field-mixed mortar has been proportioned by
volume measured in increments or fractions of 1 ft3. The comparable
molds for measurement and testing in the autoclave. Calculate whole SI-unit volume to 1 ft3 is 28 L. The specified mortar proportions
the difference in length of the test specimen before and after approximate the 1:3 nominal proportions by volume, commonly specified
autoclaving to the nearest 0.01 % of the effective gage length, for construction, on the basis of the following assumed mass and volume
and report as the autoclave expansion of the mortar cement. relationships:

TABLE 1 Physical Requirements

Mortar Cement Type N S M
Fineness, residue on a 45-m (No. 325) sieve, max, % 24 24 24
Autoclave expansion, max, % 1.0 1.0 1.0
Time of setting, Gillmore method:
Initial set, min, not less than 120 90 90
Final set, min, not more than 1440 1440 1440
Compressive strength (average of three cubes):
The compressive strength of mortar cubes, composed of 1 part cement and 3 parts blended sand (half graded
standard sand and half standard 2030 sand) by volume, prepared and tested in accordance with this
specification, shall be equal to or higher than the values specified for the ages indicated below:
7 days, MPa (psi) 3.5 (500) 9.0 (1300) 12.4 (1800)
28 days, MPa (psi) 6.2 (900) 14.5 (2100) 20.0 (2900)
Flexural bond strength
28 days, min, MPa (psi) 0.5 (70) 0.7 (100) 0.8 (115)
Air content of mortar:
Min, volume % 8 8 8
Max, volume % 17 15 15
Water retention value, min, %, of original flow 70 70 70

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 C 1329 03
TABLE 2 Cement in Laboratory Batch of Mortar cubes from the molds, and place them in the moist cabinet or
Mortar Cement Type Mass of Cement, g moist room for 5 days in such a manner as to allow free
N 480 circulation of air around at least five faces of the specimens. At
S 510 the age of 7 days, immerse the cubes for the 28-day tests in
M 540
saturated lime water in storage tanks of noncorrodible materi-
als.
17.2 Procedure:
The mass of dry sand in 28 L of loose damp sand is 36 kg.
17.2.1 Test the cube specimens immediately after their
28 L of Type N mortar cement has a mass of 32 kg.
28 L of Type S mortar cement has a mass of 34 kg. removal from the moist cabinet or moist room for 7-day
28 L of Type M mortar cement has a mass of 36 kg. specimens, and immediately after their removal from storage
For example, the amount of cement needed to provide a 1:3 volume water for all other specimens. If more than one specimen at a
proportion of cement to sand using a Type N mortar cement is calculated time is removed from the moist cabinet or moist room for
as follows: 7-day tests, cover these cubes with a damp cloth until the time
A 5 1620 3 ~C/B! 5 1620 3 ~32/108! 5 480 (1) of testing.
17.2.2 The remainder of the testing procedure shall conform
where: to Test Method C 109/C 109M.
A = number of grams of cement to be used in the mortar
with 1620 g of sand, 18. Water Retention
B = 3 3 36 = 108 kg, the mass of dry sand in 84 (or 3 3 18.1 Water retention shall be determined in accordance with
28) L of loose damp sand, and the procedures in Test Method C 1506.
C = mass of Type N mortar cement per 28 L.
15.2 Mixing of MortarsMix the mortar in accordance 19. Flexural Bond Strength
with Practice C 305. 19.1 Flexural bond strength shall be determined in accor-
15.3 Determination of FlowDetermine the flow in accor- dance with the procedure set forth in Annex A1 of this
dance with Test Method C 109/C 109M. specification.
16. Air Entrainment 20. Storage
16.1 ProcedureIf the mortar has the correct flow, use a 20.1 The cement shall be stored in such a manner as to
separate portion of the mortar for the determination of en- permit easy access for proper inspection and identification of
trained air. Determine the mass of 400 mL of mortar in each shipment, and in a suitable weathertight building that will
accordance with Test Method C 185. protect the cement from dampness and minimize warehouse
16.2 CalculationCalculate the air content of the mortar, set.
and report it to the nearest 1 % as follows:
D 5 ~W1 1 W2 1 Vw!/@~W1/S1! 1 ~W2/S2! 21. Inspection
1 Vw # A 21.1 Adequate facilities shall be provided to the purchaser
5 100 2 ~Wm/4D! (2) for the necessary inspection and sampling.
21.2 All packages shall be in good condition at the time of
where:
D = density of air-free mortar, g/cm3, inspection.
W1 = mass of cement, g, 22. Rejection
W2 = mass of sand, g,
Vw = mL-g of water used, 22.1 At the option of the purchaser, the cement shall be
S1 = density of cement, g/cm3, rejected if it fails to meet any of the requirements of this
S2 = density of standard sand, 2.65 g/cm3, specification.
A = volume percent of entrained air, and 22.2 At the option of the purchaser, packages more than 2 %
Wm = mass of 400 mL of mortar, g. below the mass marked thereon shall be rejected. At the option
of the purchaser, the entire shipment shall be rejected if the
17. Compressive Strength average mass of packages in any shipment, as shown by
17.1 Test Specimens: weighing 50 packages taken at random, is less than that marked
17.1.1 MoldingImmediately after determining the flow on the packages.
and mass of 400 mL of mortar, return all of the mortar to the 22.3 At the option of the purchaser, cement remaining in
mixing bowl and remix for 15 s at the medium speed. Then storage prior to shipment for a period greater than six months
mold the test specimens in accordance with Test Method after testing shall be retested and, at the option of the
C 109/C 109M, except that the elapsed time for mixing mortar, purchaser, shall be rejected if it fails to meet any of the
determining flow, determining air entrainment, and starting the requirements of this specification.
molding of cubes shall be within 8 min.
17.1.2 StorageImmediately after molding, store all test 23. Manufacturers Certification
specimens in the molds on plane plates in a moist cabinet or 23.1 Upon request of the purchaser in the contract or order,
moist room for 48 to 52 h in such a manner that the upper a manufacturers report shall be furnished at the time of
surfaces shall be exposed to the moist air. Then remove the shipment stating the results of the tests made on samples of the

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 C 1329 03
material taken during production or transfer and certifying that NOTE 2To facilitate the change to SI units, a standard metric package
the applicable requirements of this specification have been met. size of 32 kg for Type N, 34 kg for Type S, and 36 kg for Type M will
provide convenient mass increments reasonably similar to the traditional
24. Packaging and Package Marking 70, 75, and 80lb packages.
24.1 When mortar cement is delivered in packages, the
brand, name of the manufacturer, type of mortar cement, and 25. Keywords
net mass of the package in kilograms (Note 2) shall be 25.1 flexural bond strength; masonry; mortar; mortar
indicated plainly thereon. Similar information shall be pro- cement
vided in the shipping documents accompanying the shipment
of mortar cement in bulk.

ANNEX

(Mandatory Information)

A1. TEST METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF FLEXURAL BOND STRENGTH

A1.1 Scope A1.5 Materials

A1.1.1 This test method covers a laboratory procedure for A1.5.1 Standard masonry units shall be used for the purpose
determination of the flexural bond strength of masonry assem- of determining the flexural bond strength properties of mortar
blies made using mortar-cement mortars and standard masonry cement mortars. The standard unit shall be in accordance with
units. the following requirements:
A1.5.1.1 The dimensions of units shall be 92-mm (358-in.)
A1.2 Summary of Test Method wide by 57-mm (214-in.) high by 194-mm (758-in.) long within
a tolerance of 63 mm (18 in.) and shall be 100 % solid.
A1.2.1 This test method includes the following: require-
A1.5.1.2 The unit material shall be concrete masonry manu-
ments for standard concrete masonry units used in this test
factured with the following material proportions by volume: 1
procedure; procedures for proportioning and mixing test mor-
part portland cement to 8 parts aggregate.
tars used in the fabrication of test prisms; procedures for
fabricating, curing, and testing prism specimens; and reporting
requirements.
TABLE A1.1 Grading of Aggregate Used in the Manufacture of
Standard Concrete Masonry Units
A1.3 Significance and Use
Grading Percent Retained by Mass
A1.3.1 This test method provides a means for the determi- 9.53 mm ( in.) sieve
38 0
nation of flexural bond strength values to be used to determine 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve 0 to 5
2.36 mm (No. 8) sieve 20 to 30
compliance with the bond-strength requirements of this speci- 1.18 mm (No. 16) sieve 20 to 30
fication. 600 m (No. 30) sieve 15 to 25
A1.3.2 The flexural bond strength determined by this test 300 m (No. 50) sieve 5 to 15
150 m (No. 100) sieve 5 to 10
method is not to be interpreted as the flexural bond strength of Pan 5 to 10
a masonry wall constructed using the same mortar cement.
Flexural bond strength is not to be interpreted as an indication
of the extent of bond for purposes of water permeance
evaluation. A1.5.1.3 The aggregate used in manufacture of the unit
shall meet the grading requirements of Table A1.1. The bulk
A1.4 Apparatus specific gravity determined in accordance with Test Method
A1.4.1 Prism Fabrication Jig, as shown in Fig. A1.1. C 128 shall be not less than 2.6 and not more than 2.7.
A1.4.2 Mortar Joint Template, as shown in Fig. A1.2. A1.5.1.4 The density of the unit shall be 2000 to 2160
kg/m3(125 to 135 lb/ft3).
A1.4.3 Drop Hammer, as shown in Fig. A1.3.
A1.5.1.5 The unit shall be cured in a 100 % relative
A1.4.4 Mechanical Drum Mortar Mixer. humidity environment at 60 6 6C (140 6 10F) at atmo-
A1.4.5 Flow Table, Flow Mold, and Caliper, conforming to spheric pressure for 10 to 20 h. Additional curing, under
the requirements of Specification C 230/C 230M. covered atmospheric conditions, shall continue for at least 28
A1.4.6 Cone Penetrometer, Unit Measure, Straightedge, days. The unit shall be loose stacked in the cube (separated by
Spatula, Tapping Stick, and Spoon, conforming to the require- a 12-mm (12-in.) gap) to allow air to circulate during drying.
ments of Test Method C 780. A1.5.1.6 At the time of fabricating the prisms, the units
A1.4.7 Bond Strength Test Apparatus, conforming to the shall have a 25 to 35 % of total absorption when tested in
requirements of Test Method C 1072. accordance with Test Methods C 140.

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 C 1329 03

NOTE 1Base: 20 by 30 by 6.0-mm (8 by 12 by 14-in.) plate. Angles: 51 by 51 by 6 mm (2 by 2 by 14 in.), 414 mm (16516 in.) in length.
FIG. A1.1 Jig Used in Prism Fabrication

A1.5.1.7 During manufacturing of the standard masonry mixer. If the flow meets the required consistency, the batch
unit, precaution shall be exercised to prevent contamination of (including material used to determine flow) shall be mixed for
the surfaces of the unit by a mold release agent. the remaining 2 mins. If the flow is less than 120, additional
A1.5.1.8 Upon delivery, units shall be protected from any water is not prohibited from being added to the batch (includ-
outside contamination by means of covering with stretch ing material used to determine flow) and mixed for 1 min. If
wrapping or shrink wrapping. At seven days prior to use, units the flow then meets the required consistency, the batch (includ-
to be used shall be stored under conditions of laboratory ing material used to determine flow) shall be mixed for the
temperature and humiduty. The units shall not be wetted or remaining minute. If after the one-time addition of water the
surface treated prior to or during prism fabrication. flow does not meet the required consistrency, the batch shall be
discarded. Whenever the measured flow exceeds 130 the batch
A1.6 Procedure shall be discarded.
A1.6.1 Mortar shall be prepared in accordance with the A1.6.1.4 The initial cone penetration shall be determined in
following: accordance with Test Method C 780, immediately after mixing
A1.6.1.1 Sand shall be a blend of an equal mass of graded the mortar. Mortar shall not be used when the cone penetration
standard sand and standard 2030 m sand conforming to is less than 80 % of the initial cone penetration value.
Specification C 778. Mortar shall be proportioned to contain a
A1.6.2 Test specimens shall consist of a set of prisms such
mass of cement in kg equal to 0.20 times the net mass in kg
that 30 mortar joints are fabricated for testing. Prism specimens
printed on the bag and 22.0 kg of sand.
A1.6.1.2 Mortar materials shall be mixed in a paddle-type shall be not more than six units in height.
mortar mixer of no less than 18 L (0.6 ft3) capacity for 5 min. A1.6.3 Fabricate the test specimens as follows:
A1.6.1.3 Mortar flow shall be determined in accordance A1.6.3.1 Each prism shall be built in an opened moisture-
with Test Method C 109/C 109M. Water shall be adjusted until tight bag that is large enough to enclose and seal the completed
flow of 125 6 5 is achieved. The flow shall be determined on prism. Set the first unit of each prism on a 12-mm (12-in.)
mortar mixed 3 min after all of the ingredients are added to the plywood pallet in an alignment jig, as shown in Fig. A1.1.

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 C 1329 03

FIG. A1.2 Mortar Template Used in Prism Fabrication

A1.6.3.2 Place the mortar template shown in Fig. A1.2 on in the laboratory air, maintained at a temperature of 24 6 9C
the unit so that the mortar bed depth prior to compaction is 12 (75 6 16F), with a relative humidity between 30 and 70 %.
mm (12 in.). Place the mortar in the template, and strike off A1.6.4 Determine the flexural bond strength of the test
excess mortar with a straight edge. specimens in accordance with the procedure outlined in Test
A1.6.3.3 Remove the template, and immediately place the Method C 1072.
next unit on the mortar bed in contact with the three alignment
bolts for that course using a bulls-eye level to ensure uniform A1.7 Calculation
initial contact of the unit surface and bed mortar. Carefully A1.7.1 Calculate the modulus of rupture of each mortar
position the drop hammer apparatus shown in Fig. A1.3 on top joint as follows:
of the unit, and drop its 1.8 kg (4 lb), round end down, once 6~PL 1 P1L1! ~ P 1 P1 !
from a height of 38 mm (1.5 in.). fr 5 2 bd
bd 2
A1.6.3.4 Repeat the steps given in A1.6.3.2 and A1.6.3.3
until the prisms are complete. where:
A1.6.3.5 Joints shall be cut flush after the prism is com- fr = modulus of rupture, MPa (psi),
pletely built. The joints shall not be tooled. P = maximum applied load, N (lbf),
A1.6.3.6 Place two masonry units of the type used to P1 = weight of loading arm, N (lbf),
construct the prism upon the top course 1 h 6 15 min after the L = distance from center of prism to loading point, mm
completion of construction. (in.),
A1.6.3.7 Identify all test specimens using a water-resistant L1 = distance from center of prism to centroid of loading
marker. arm, mm (in.),
A1.6.3.8 Draw and seal the moisture-tight bag around the b = average width of cross section of failure surface, mm
prism. (in.), and
d = average thickness of cross section of failure surface,
A1.6.3.9 Cure all test specimens for 28 days. Two days prior
mm (in.).
to testing, remove the moisture-tight bag and continue curing

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 C 1329 03

FIG. A1.3 Drop Hammer Used in Prism Fabrication

A1.7.2 The flexural bond strength of mortar cement shall be A1.8.4 Report the standard deviation for all 30 joints tested.
determined as the average modulus of rupture of 30 joints A1.8.5 Report the flexural bond strength of the mortar
minus 1.28 times the standard deviation of the sample, which cement as determined in accordance with A1.7.2.
yields a value that a mortar joints modulus of rupture will
equal or exceed 9 out of 10 times. A1.9 Precision and Bias
A1.8 Report A1.9.1 Insufficient data are currently available for a preci-
A1.8.1 Include the name of the manufacturer of the mortar sion and bias statement.
cement being evaluated, place of manufacture, type of mortar
cement, date of testing, laboratory name, and names of A1.10 Keywords
laboratory staff in the report.
A1.8.2 Report the mortar flow and initial cone penetration. A1.10.1 flexural bond strength; mortar cement; standard
A1.8.3 Identify the prism and joint tested. Report the concrete masonry unit
maximum applied test load and the modulus of rupture.

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