Designation: C 952 – 02 e1

Standard Test Method for

Bond Strength of Mortar to Masonry Units1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 952; 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.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

e1 NOTE—Editorial changes were made throughout in December 2003.

1. Scope* E 518 Test Methods for Flexural Bond Strength of Ma-

1.1 This test method provides two procedures for measuring sonry2
bond strength of mortar to masonry units: a crossed brick
3. Significance and Use
couplet tensile test for evaluating mortar-brick bond strength
and a stacked-bond, flexural test for evaluating mortar-concrete 3.1 These procedures are useful for research into bond
block bond strength. strength of masonry. They are not intended to predict the bond
1.2 This standard does not purport to address the safety strength of commercial masonry construction. The bond
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility strength in commercially built structures is determined by
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and many factors beyond the characteristics of mortar, masonry
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory units, and the procedures of this test method.
limitations prior to use. NOTE 1—The crossed-brick couplets method measures a direct tensile
strength of the bond between the mortar and masonry unit. It does not
2. Referenced Documents determine the flexural strength of the unit mortar assembly. Other test
2.1 ASTM Standards: methods may be more appropriate for determining the flexural bond
C 67 Test Methods of Sampling and Testing Brick and strength between mortar and masonry units. These include, C 1072 Test
Method for Measurement of Masonry Flexural Bond Strength, C 1357
Structural Clay Tile2 Test Methods for Evaluating Masonry Bond Strength, and E 518 Test
C 90 Specification for Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Methods for Flexural Bond Strength of Masonry.
Units2
C 129 Specification for Nonloadbearing Concrete Masonry PREPARATION AND TESTING OF FRESH MORTAR
Units2
C 140 Test Methods of Sampling and Testing Concrete 4. Preparation of Mortar
Masonry Units and Related Units2 4.1 Proportion mortar materials by weights equivalent to
C 270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry2 volume proportions to be used in prism construction. Use unit
C 780 Test Method for Preconstruction and Construction weights for individual materials as given in Specification C
Evaluation of Mortars for Plain and Reinforced Unit 270. Sand shall be permitted to be used in a damp loose
Masonry2 condition, provided that moisture content of sand is determined
C 1072 Test Method for Measurement of Masonry Flexural with reference to the oven-dried condition and batch propor-
Bond Strength2 tions are adjusted accordingly. Record weight of ingredients
C 1357 Test Method for Evaluating Masonry Bond (including water) added to the batch of mortar.
Strength2 4.2 Mix mortar in a mechanical paddle-type mortar mixer.
C 1437 Test Method For Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mor- Time periods referenced below are measured from when water
tar3 and cementitious materials are combined.
4.2.1 Add an estimated amount of water to the mortar to
achieve the desired consistency (Note 2). Mix mortar for three
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on minutes and determine consistency. If the desired consistency
Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C15.04 on Research. Committee E-6 maintains a continued interest in these
is specified by flow determine it in accordance with Test
practices and will make use of them in the future. Method C 1437. If the desired consistency is specified as initial
Current edition approved December 10, 2002. Published March 2003. Originally cone penetration, determine it in accordance with Test Method
published as E 149 – 59 T. Redesignated C 952 – 76 in 1981. Last previous edition C 780. Once consistency is recorded, return the material used
C 952 – 91 (1997).
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05. to measure the consistency to the mixer. If the consistency is
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01. within the desired range, continue mixing the batch for an

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

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 C 952 – 02 e1
additional two minutes. If the consistency is less than the 6. Crossed-Brick Couplets
desired range, add water to the batch and mix for one minute 6.1 Brick—Test specimens consisting of crossed-brick cou-
and determine consistency. Once consistency is recorded, plets may be used to determine:
return the material used to measure consistency to the mixer. If 6.1.1 Bond between specified brick and a specified mortar,
the consistency is within the desired range, continue mixing the 6.1.2 Relative bond between different brick and a specified
batch for one minute. mortar, or
NOTE 2—Workable consistency of mortar for concrete masonry con- 6.1.3 Relative bond between a specified brick and different
struction generally requires an initial cone penetration reading of 55 6 5 mortars.
mm or a flow of 125 6 5 %. Workable consistency of mortar for clay 6.1.4 In each case, the initial rate of absorption of the brick
masonry construction generally requires an initial cone penetration shall be determined in accordance with Test Methods C 67. The
reading of 65 6 5 mm or a flow of 135 6 5 %. Optimum consistency for
a specific mortar-unit combination may differ from these values.
brick used for couplets shall include the full range of absorp-
tion rates acceptable under the specifications.
4.2.2 If after the one-time addition of water the consistency 6.2 Construction of Test Specimens:
is not in the desired range, discard the batch. 6.2.1 Center the mold on the lower brick of the couplet and
4.2.3 If the measured consistency exceeds the desired range lightly mix a small quantity of mortar on the board by turning
at any time, discard the batch. over with the spoon.
4.3 Immediately after mixing the mortar, determine its 6.2.2 Half-fill the mold by sharply dashing into each corner
initial cone penetration in accordance with Test Method C 780. and the center of the mold a small quantity of mortar from the
Determine the cone penetration of the mortar every 15 6 5 half-filled spoon. Note the time at start of a 1-min interval.
minutes. If the cone penetration is less than 80 % of its initial Apply additional mortar by heaping loosely with the spoon
value, discard the remaining portion of the mortar without above the top of the mold. Strike off excess mortar with the
constructing additional mortar joints. straightedge, starting on a diagonal across the mold and
working first to one corner and then to the opposite corner of
PREPARATION AND TESTING OF BOND STRENGTH the mold. Remove the mold from the mortar bed.
TEST SPECIMENS 6.2.3 At the end of the 1-min time interval, place the upper
brick on the mortar bed in a crosswise direction to the lower
5. Apparatus brick. Place the frame of the hammer on the top brick with the
5.1 Miscellaneous—Brass-covered mortar board 18 in. (457 weight of the hammer held in the other hand. Drop the hammer
mm) square, an 11-in. (279-mm) long mason’s trowel, labora- in a frame a distance of 11⁄2 in. (38 mm).
tory trowel with straight edges, short handled spoon or scoop 6.2.4 Measure and record the extrusion of the mortar on the
of 1⁄4-cup (0.5-dm3) capacity, steel straightedge 10 in. (254 top surface of the lower brick. Cut away extruded mortar from
mm) long, metal mold 1⁄2 in. (13 mm) deep with 35⁄8-in. all four edges of the mortar bed.
(92-mm) square opening beveled to slope of 0.08 (total 0.04), 6.3 Curing—Promptly enclose the test specimen within an
splash board (Fig. 1) with handle 20 in. (508 mm) long and 3 airtight covering. Keep covered for 7 days. Remove the cover
in. (76 mm) wide. and store until tested. Unless otherwise specified, the specimen
5.2 Drop Hammer for crossed-brick couplets (Fig. 2, Table shall be stored in laboratory air at a relative humidity of at least
1). 50 %.
5.3 Drop Hammer for block assemblies (Fig. 3). 6.4 Testing—Center the specimen between the upper and
5.4 Loading Jigs for crossed-brick couplets (Fig. 4). lower tripods and place in the testing machine as shown in Fig.
5.5 Frames (Fig. 5) for testing block assemblies: upper 6. Load the specimen at the rate of 600 lb (2.7 kN)/min or at
frame fitted with ball bearing mounted 10 in. (254 mm) from a rate sufficient to cause failure in 1 to 2 min. Note and record
vertical axis of specimen for eccentric application of vertical maximum load and type of failure.
load. . NOTE 3—The method of making the specimens typically produces a
5.6 Torque Wrench. failure of the joint at the top of the mortar bed.

FIG. 1 Splash Board

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 C 952 – 02 e1

FIG. 2 Drop Hammer for Cross-Brick Couplets

TABLE 1 Metric Equivalents for Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6

Inch-Pound Metric Inch-Pound Metric Inch-Pound Metric
1 / 16 in. 1.6 mm 13⁄4 in. 44 mm 5 in. 127 mm
1⁄8 in. 3 mm 17⁄8 in. 48 mm 51⁄4 in. 133 mm
3 / 16 in. 4.7 mm 2 in. 51 mm 53⁄4 in. 146 mm
1⁄4 in. 6.4 mm 21⁄8 in. 54 mm 6 in. 152 mm
3⁄8 in. 9.5 mm 21⁄4 in. 57 mm 61⁄4 159 mm
7 / 16 in. 11 mm 23⁄8 in. 61 mm 71⁄2 in. 190 mm
1⁄2 in. 12.7 mm 21⁄2 in. 64 mm 8 in. 203 mm
5⁄8 in. 15.8 mm 25⁄8 in. 67 mm 81⁄2 in. 216 mm
3⁄4 in. 19 mm 3 in. 76 mm 93⁄4 in. 248 mm
7 / 8 in. 22 mm 31⁄8 in. 79 mm 103⁄4 in. 273 mm
1 in. 25 mm 31⁄4 in. 82 mm 16 in. 406 mm
11⁄8 in. 28 mm 31⁄2 in. 89 mm 161⁄2 in. 419 mm
13⁄16 in. 30 mm 35⁄8 in. 92 mm 183⁄4 in. 476 mm
11⁄4 in. 32 mm 33⁄4 in. 95 mm 28 in. 711 mm
13⁄8 in. 35 mm 4 in. 102 mm 2 lb 0.9 kg
11⁄2 in. 38 mm 43⁄4 in. 121 mm 3.5 lb 1.6 kg

NOTE 4—Reproducibility of test results may be improved by the 7. Concrete Masonry Unit Assemblies
insertion of strips of high-density insulation board interlayers between the
test specimen and test apparatus. 7.1 Concrete Masonry Units—Concrete masonry units used
in test specimens shall conform to Specification C 90 or C 129.
6.5 Calculation—Calculate the maximum tensile bond The moisture content of the concrete masonry units shall be as
strength as follows: specified. In the absence of any other specified moisture
Tensile bond strength, T, psi ~or N/m2! 5 A/B (1) content, the concrete masonry units shall be conditioned to
have a moisture content of between 25 % and 35 % of total
where: absorption, as determined in accordance with Test Methods
A = total applied load, lbf (or N), and C 140.
B = cross-sectional area in bond, in.2(or m2).
7.2 Construction of Test Specimens:

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 C 952 – 02 e1

FIG. 3 Drop Hammer for Concrete Block Assemblies

7.2.1 Position the bottom concrete masonry unit of the beds by bringing the concrete masonry unit downward and
assembly on a metal pallet with the thickest part of the face forward to one end of the lower masonry unit. The upper
shells upwards. Lightly turn over and remix the mortar on the concrete masonry unit shall be placed with the thin edge of the
board with a mason’s trowel. face shells in the mortar.
7.2.2 With a mason’s trowel and technique, apply mortar to 7.2.5 Immediately position the drop hammer frame at the
the top of the face shell that will be in the compressive face of center of the upper masonry unit, holding the weight of the
the specimen, when tested. The amount of mortar applied shall hammer in the other hand. Drop the hammer in the tubular
be sufficient to produce a bed joint of the desired thickness in frame a distance of 4 in. (102 mm). Remove the drop hammer.
the finished specimen (Note 5). In the absence of any specified No further adjustment of the top masonry unit on its bed shall
thickness, the bed joints in the finished specimen shall be of a be made.
nominal 3⁄8-in. (9.5-mm) thickness.
7.2.6 Measure and record the extrusion of mortar from the
NOTE 5—The consistency of the mortar, when made, and the amount of faces of the specimen. Cut extruded mortar away with the
water used in the mortar shall have been adjusted to meet the requirements mason’s trowel. Tool the joints with a rounded iron.
for the proper joint thickness of concrete masonry unit assemblies.
7.3 Curing—Promptly enclose the specimen in an airtight
7.2.3 Hold the splash board along the top of the opposite covering. Keep covered for 7 days. Remove the cover and store
face shell (the shell that will be in the tensile face of the until tested. Unless otherwise specified, the specimen shall be
specimen) and with the mason’s trowel lightly loaded, sharply stored in laboratory air at a relative humidity of at least 50 %.
dash a thin bed of mortar on the top of this shell as shown in
Fig. 7. Remove the splash board. Note the time for the start of 7.4 Testing—Clamp the specimen in the lower and upper
a 1-min interval. Load the trowel and build up the mortar bed test frames by tightening the screws of the test frames with a
by gently rolling or dropping a sufficient amount of additional torque wrench (see Fig. 8). Center the ball bearing on the upper
mortar. test frame in the testing machine. Apply a vertical load to the
7.2.4 At the end of the 1-min time interval, pick up and level specimen at the rate of 600 lbf (2.7 kN)/min or at a rate
the upper concrete masonry unit of the assembly on the mortar sufficient to cause failure in 1 to 2 min.

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 C 952 – 02 e1

FIG. 4 Loading Jigs for Crossed-Brick Couplets

FIG. 5 Frames for Testing Concrete Block Assemblies

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 C 952 – 02 e1

FIG. 5 Frames for Testing Concrete Block Assemblies (continued)

FIG. 6 Crossed-Brick Test Assembly Positioned in Testing Machine

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 C 952 – 02 e1

FIG. 7 Preparing Concrete Block Test Assembly

FIG. 8 Concrete Block Test Assembly Positioned in Testing Machine

7.5 Calculation—Calculate the maximum flexural bond x = lever arm of load about vertical axis of specimen, in.
strength of the section for the gross and the net section of the (or m),
specimen, taken normal to the face shells, as follows: P = applied load, lbf (or N),
fg 5 ~xPc/Ig! 2 ~P/Ag! (2) c = distance from neutral axis to face of specimen, in. (or
m),
fn 5 ~xPc/In! 2 ~P/An!
Ig = moment of inertia of gross section, in.4 (or m4),
where: In = moment of inertia of net section, in.4(or m4),
fg = flexural bond stress on gross area, psi (or N/m2) b = length of masonry unit, in. (or m),
fn = flexural bond stress on net area, psi (or N/m2), d = width of masonry unit, in. (or m),

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 C 952 – 02 e1

t = minimum thickness of face shell, in. (or m), methods. Coefficients of variation of 15 to 35 % are common-
Ag = gross area of section = bd, in.2(or m2), and place in published investigations using the methods of this
An = net area of section = 2bt, in.2(or m2). standard.

8. Precision and Bias 9. Keywords

8.1 Variability is a characteristic of tensile and flexural bond 9.1 bond; concrete masonry unit; crossed brick couplet;
stresses. Round robin testing has not been performed on these mortar; masonry

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C 12 has identified the location of selected changes to the standard since the C 952-91 (Reapproved
1998) version that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) Section 2.1 was changed to add those standards that are notes were renumbered to reflect this change.
now referenced by this standard and to eliminate those stan- (4) New Section 6.1.4 was modified.
dards that are no longer referenced by this standard. (5) New Sections 7.1, 7.2.1 and 7.2.4 were changed to
(2) A note was added to Section 3 to direct the user to other
reference ’masonry unit’ instead of ’block’.
test methods that may be more appropriate for their use.
(3) The PREPARATION AND TESTING OF FRESH MOR- (6) New Section 7.1 was changed to refer to Test Method C
TAR section was modified by removing the old Sections 4 - 8 140 for determining moisture content instead of Test Method C
and replacing them with a new Section 4. All other sections and 427 for equivalent relative humidity.

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