Designation: C1329/C1329M − 16a

Standard Specification for

Mortar Cement1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1329/C1329M; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube

1.1 This specification covers three types of mortar cement Specimens)
for use where mortar for masonry is required. C151 Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic
Cement
1.2 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch- C183 Practice for Sampling and the Amount of Testing of
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The Hydraulic Cement
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; C185 Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement
therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Mortar
Combining values from the two systems may result in non-
C187 Test Method for Amount of Water Required for Nor-
conformance with the standard. Values in SI units shall be
mal Consistency of Hydraulic Cement Paste
obtained by measurement in SI units or by appropriate
C188 Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement
conversion, using the Rules for Conversion and Rounding
C219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement
given in Standard IEEE/ASTM SI 10, of measurements made
C266 Test Method for Time of Setting of Hydraulic-Cement
in other units. Values are stated in only SI units when
Paste by Gillmore Needles
inch-pound units are not used in practice.
C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement
1.3 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes C430 Test Method for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by the
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered 45-µm (No. 325) Sieve
as requirements of the standard. C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets,
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
Section 16. This standard does not purport to address all of the Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the C778 Specification for Standard Sand
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- C1072 Test Methods for Measurement of Masonry Flexural
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- Bond Strength
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Warning—Fresh C1506 Test Method for Water Retention of Hydraulic
hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause Cement-Based Mortars and Plasters
chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.2) IEEE/ASTM SI 10 Standard for Use of the International
System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:3 3. Terminology
C91 Specification for Masonry Cement 3.1 Definitions—Terms used in this specification are defined
C109/C109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of in Terminology C219.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
3.2.1 mortar cement, n—a hydraulic cement, primarily used
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C01 on
Cement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C01.11 on Masonry
in masonry construction, consisting of a mixture of portland or
Cement. blended hydraulic cement and plasticizing materials (such as
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2016. Published December 2016. Originally limestone or hydrated or hydraulic lime), together with other
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as C1329/C1329M – 16. materials introduced to enhance one or more properties such as
DOI: 10.1520/C1329_C1329M-16A.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01. See the section on Safety setting time, workability, water retention, and durability.
Precautions in the Manual of Cement Testing. 3.2.1.1 Discussion—Mortar cement is similar to masonry
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
cement in use and function (see Specification C91). However,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Specification C1329 includes a flexural bond strength require-
the ASTM website. ment.

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

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

1
 C1329/C1329M − 16a
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 C266.

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 C188, 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
sampled and tested to verify compliance with this specification, 13. Blended Sand
sampling and testing shall be performed in accordance with 13.1 The sand shall be a blend of equal parts by weight of
Practice C183. graded standard sand and 20-30 standard sand conforming to
6.2 Practice C183 is not designed for manufacturing quality Specification C778.
control and is not required for manufacturer’s certification.
14. Preparation of Mortar
7. Temperature and Humidity
14.1 Proportions for Mortar—Mortar for air entrainment,
7.1 The temperature and relative humidity of the air in the compressive strength, and water retention tests shall be pro-
vicinity of the mixing slab and dry materials, molds, base portioned to contain 1620 g of sand and a mass of cement, in
plates, and mixing bowl shall conform to the requirements of grams, as indicated in Table 2. The sand shall consist of 810 g
Test Method C109/C109M. of graded standard sand and 810 g of 20-30 standard sand. The
7.2 The moist cabinet or moist room shall conform to the quantity of water, measured in millilitres, shall be such as to
requirements of Specification C511. produce a flow of 110 6 5 as determined by Test Method
C109/C109M.
8. Fineness
14.2 Mixing of Mortars—Mix the mortar in accordance with
8.1 Determine the residue on the 45 µm (No. 325) sieve in Practice C305.
accordance with Test Method C430.
14.3 Determination of Flow—Determine the flow in accor-
9. Normal Consistency dance with Test Method C109/C109M.
9.1 Determine the normal consistency by the Vicat appara- 15. Air Entrainment
tus in accordance with Test Method C187.
15.1 Procedure—If the mortar has the correct flow, use a
10. Autoclave Expansion separate portion of the mortar for the determination of en-
10.1 Determine the autoclave expansion in accordance with trained air. Determine the mass of 400 mL of mortar in
Test Method C151. After molding, store the bars in the moist accordance with Test Method C185.
cabinet or room for 48 h 6 30 min before removal from the 15.2 Calculation—Calculate the air content of the mortar,
molds for measurement and testing in the autoclave. Calculate and report it to the nearest 1 % as follows:
the difference in length of the test specimen before and after D 5 ~ W 1 1W 2 1V w ! / @ ~ W 1 /S 1 ! 1 ~ W 2 /S 2 ! 1 V w # (1)
autoclaving to the nearest 0.01 % of the effective gauge length,
and report as the autoclave expansion of the mortar cement. A 5 100 2 ~ W m /4D !

TABLE 1 Physical Requirements

Mortar Cement Type N S M
Fineness, residue on a 45 µm (No. 325) sieve, max, % 24 24 24
Autoclave expansion, max, % 1.0 1.0 1.0
Time of setting, Gillmore method:
Initial set, minutes, not less than 120 90 90
Initial set, minutes, not more than 1000 1000 1000
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 20-30 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 % 21 19 19
Water retention value, min, %, of original flow 70 70 70

2
 C1329/C1329M − 16a
TABLE 2 Cement in Laboratory Batch of Mortar Specification C778 and mortar shall be proportioned to contain
Mortar Cement Type Mass of Cement, g mass of cement in kg equal to 0.20 times the net mass in kg
N 480 printed on the bag and 22.0 kg of sand. The flexural bond
S 510 strength of mortar cement shall be determined as the average
M 540
gross area flexural bond strength of 30 joints minus 1.28 times
the standard deviation of the sample.
where: 19. Storage
D = density of air-free mortar, g/cm3,
W1 = mass of cement, g, 19.1 The cement shall be stored in such a manner as to
W2 = mass of sand, g, permit easy access for proper inspection and identification of
Vw = mL-g of water used, each shipment, and in a suitable weathertight building that will
S1 = density of cement, g/cm3, protect the cement from dampness and minimize warehouse
S2 = density of standard sand, 2.65 g/cm3, set.
A = volume percent of entrained air, and
Wm = mass of 400 mL of mortar, g. 20. Inspection
20.1 Adequate facilities shall be provided to the purchaser
16. Compressive Strength for the necessary inspection and sampling.
16.1 Test Specimens: 20.2 All packages shall be in good condition at the time of
16.1.1 Molding—Immediately after determining the flow inspection.
and mass of 400 mL of mortar, return all of the mortar to the
mixing bowl and remix for 15 s at the medium speed. Then 21. Rejection
mold the test specimens in accordance with Test Method
21.1 At the option of the purchaser, the cement shall be
C109/C109M, except that the elapsed time for mixing mortar,
rejected if it fails to meet any of the requirements of this
determining flow, determining air entrainment, and starting the
specification.
molding of cubes shall be within 8 min.
16.1.2 Storage—Immediately after molding, store all test 21.2 At the option of the purchaser, packages more than 2 %
specimens in the molds on plane plates in a moist cabinet or below the mass marked thereon shall be rejected. At the option
moist room for 48 to 52 h in such a manner that the upper of the purchaser, the entire shipment shall be rejected if the
surfaces shall be exposed to the moist air. Then remove the average mass of packages in any shipment, as shown by
cubes from the molds, and place them in the moist cabinet or weighing 50 packages taken at random, is less than that marked
moist room for five days in such a manner as to allow free on the packages.
circulation of air around at least five faces of the specimens. At 21.3 At the option of the purchaser, cement remaining in
the age of seven days, immerse the cubes for the 28-day tests storage prior to shipment for a period greater than six months
in saturated lime water in storage tanks of noncorrodible after testing shall be retested and, at the option of the
materials. purchaser, shall be rejected if it fails to meet any of the
16.2 Procedure: requirements of this specification.
16.2.1 Test the cube specimens immediately after their
22. Manufacturer’s Certification
removal from the moist cabinet or moist room for seven-day
specimens, and immediately after their removal from storage 22.1 Upon request of the purchaser in the contract or order,
water for all other specimens. If more than one specimen at a a manufacturer’s report shall be furnished at the time of
time is removed from the moist cabinet or moist room for shipment stating the results of the tests made on samples of the
seven-day tests, cover these cubes with a damp cloth until the material taken during production or transfer and certifying that
time of testing. the applicable requirements of this specification have been met.
16.2.2 The remainder of the testing procedure shall conform
to Test Method C109/C109M. 23. Packaging and Package Marking
23.1 When mortar cement is delivered in packages, the
17. Water Retention brand, name of the manufacturer, type of mortar cement, and
17.1 Water retention shall be determined in accordance with net mass of the package in kilograms shall be indicated plainly
the procedures in Test Method C1506. thereon. Similar information shall be provided in the shipping
documents accompanying the shipment of mortar cement in
18. Flexural Bond Strength bulk.
18.1 Flexural bond strength shall be determined in accor-
dance with the test method for laboratory prepared specimens 24. Keywords
of Test Methods C1072, except sand shall be a blend of equal 24.1 flexural bond strength; masonry; mortar; mortar ce-
mass of graded and standard 20-30 sand conforming to ment

3
 C1329/C1329M − 16a
SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(C1329/C1329M – 16) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Dec. 1, 2016.)

(1) Revised 3.2.1.1.

Committee C01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(C1329/C1329M – 15) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved April 1, 2016.)

(1) Replaced Test Methods C1357 with Test Methods C1072 in (2) Replaced reference to Test Methods C1357 with reference
Referenced Documents (Section 2). to Test Methods C1072 in subsection 18.1.

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the Copyright Clearance Center, 222
Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: (978) 646-2600; http://www.copyright.com/