Masonry Magazine December 1988 Page. 15
BIA Technical Notes
on Brick Construction
Brick Institute of America 11490 Commerce Park Drive, Reston, Virginia 22091
8A
REVISED
September
1988
:
:
1300
1. SCOPE
STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR
PORTLAND CEMENT-LIME MORTAR FOR BRICK MASONRY
BIA Designation M1-88
1.1 This specification covers mortars for use in the construction of non-reinforced and reinforced brick masonry. Four types of mortar are covered in this specification. Each mortar type may be specified by proportion specifications or by property specifications.
1.2 The proportion or property specifications shall govern as specified. The mortar type shall be specified by letter designation.
1.3 When neither proportion or property specifications are specified, the proportion specifications shall govern, unless data are presented to and accepted by the specifier to show that the mortar meets the requirements of the property specifications.
2. MORTAR TYPES
2.1 Four types of mortar are covered.
2.1.1 Type M. A high compressive strength mortar specifically recommended for masonry below grade and in contact with earth.
2.1.2 Type S. A mortar recommended for use in masonry where maximum flexural strength is required.
2.1.3 Type N. A medium strength mortar suitable for general use in exposed masonry above grade and specifically recommended for parapets, chimneys and exterior walls subjected to severe weathering conditions.
2.1.4 Type O. A low strength mortar suitable for use in non-loadbearing walls of solid masonry units, loadbearing walls of solid units in which the axial compressive stresses developed do not exceed 100 psi (7 kgf/cm²) and where the masonry will not be subject to severe weathering.
3. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
3.1 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards
C91 Specification for Masonry Cement
(For determination of water retention and air content, see Section 7.2 and 7.3)
C109 Test Methods for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-inch or 50-mm Cube Specimens)
C144 Specification for Aggregate for Masonry Mortar
C150 Specification for Portland Cement
C207 Specification for Hydrated Lime for Masonry Purposes
C511 Specification for Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
C780 Method for Preconstruction and Construction Evaluation of Mortars for Plain and Reinforced Unit Masonry
3.2 International Masonry Industry All-Weather Council
Recommended Practices and Guide Specifications for Cold Weather Masonry Construction: Section 04200 Unit Masonry, Article 3 of the Guide Specifications, Ninth Printing. June 6, 1984
4. MATERIALS
4.1 Materials used as ingredients in mortar shall conform to the requirements specified in 4.2 to 4.5.
4.2 Cementitious Materials. Cementitious materials shall conform to the following ASTM specifications:
4.2.1 Portland Cement. Types I, II or III of ASTM Specification C150.
4.2.2 Hydrated Lime. Type S of ASTM Specification C207. Type N may be permitted if shown by test or performance record not to be detrimental to the soundness of the mortar.
4.3 Aggregates. ASTM Specification C144, except that the grading shall comply to the following limits:
Sieve Size
No. 4 (4.75-mm)
No. 8 (2.36-mm)
No. 16 (1.18-mm)
No. 30 (600-µm)
No. 50 (300-µm)
No. 100 (150-µm)
No. 200 (75-μm)
Percent Passing
100
95 to 100
60 to 100
35 to 70
15 to 35
2 to 15
0 to 2
4.4 Admixtures. No air-entraining admixtures or cementitious materials containing air-entraining admixtures or agents shall be used in the mortar.
Antifreeze compounds, accelerators, retarders, water-repellent agents or other admixtures shall not be added to mortar (see Note 1). Calcium chloride or admixtures