Masonry Magazine January 2007 Page. 44
Mortar Admixtures
While pre-blended admixtures have their advantages, mason contractors and their crews still need to adhere to established guidelines when using them.
ASTM COMMITTEE C12 CELEBRATES ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Mixing Admixtures
Most commercial admixtures are now pre-blended, which saves masons the time and hassle of mixing them onsite. "It's one less thing the guys have to worry about in the field," Grace Construction's Jablonski said.
Pre-blended admixtures help keep the mortar consistent, said Nick Blohowiak, regional manager for Mendota Heights, Minn.-based SPEC MIX. "The key to successful admixture use in masonry is to control and keep consistent the admixture you're using," he said. "The benefit of pre-blended is you always know the admixture is in there in the proper dosage.
While pre-blended admixtures have their advantages, mason contractors and their crews still need to adhere to established guidelines when using them.
"Even with pre-blended mixes, they still have to follow masonry practices. One of the fallacies is you don't have to follow the same rules," Leonard said. "If you're mixing in Admixtures continued on p.42
The New Improved Quikpoint Drill-Mate Mortar Gun.
★ Tuckpointing
★ Paving
★ Stonework
★Tile
★Thin Brick
★ Cultured Stone
★Steel Casements
★All types of
masonry joints
Melvin Mancia (Mason Forman)
Job: The John Winthrop School, Dorchester, Ma.
Just scoop mortar into the
three quart capacity hopper,
pull the trigger on the drill
and a continuous controlled
bead of mortar can be
applied, up to five times
faster than conventional
pointing methods, to
any masonry application.
Quikpoint, Inc. 23 B Bradford St, Concord, Ma. 01742 USA
Phone: 978-371-3267 Fax: 978-371-2292 Toll Free USA: 800-368-2292 Toll Free USA: 800-368-2292
Web: www.quikpoint.com E-Mail: sales@quikpoint.com
CIRCLE 165 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Albert W. Isberner received the J. Ivan Davison Memorial Award for his lifelong work for the industry.
The ASTM International Committee C12 on Mortars and Grouts for Unit Masonry celebrated its 75th anniversary at the Atlanta Hyatt Regency on Dec. 6, 2006. It was a quiet celebration; a piano player in the background, cocktails and a seated dinner for approximately 60 guests. The attendees - many of whom are among the "Who's Who" of the masonry, mortar and grout industries came from every part of the nation to commemorate the history and advancements that the group and its members have achieved.
Many in the industry do not even realize the significance of this group's accomplishments. Mason contractors and their crews work daily with mortar and grout, with nary a thought to the years of hard work and effort that Committee C12 has provided in creating the research, methods for testing and specifications that make it possible for masons to construct reliable masonry structures. Since 1931, the Committee has developed 15 standards that are the basis for sound mortar and grout creation and use.
During the main attraction of the anniversary presentation, three members of the Committee - John Heslip, past executive director of the Masonry Institute of Michigan and president of the National Concrete Masonry Association; Colin Munro, Chartered Masonry Consultant; and Jerry Painter, president of Painter Masonry Inc. presented their reflections on the Committee's accomplishments. With many nodding heads of agreement and smiles throughout the audience, they recounted the struggles endured and successes won by the group during the Committee's history.
The evening culminated with the introduction of the new J. Ivan Davison Memorial Award, named after one of the group's most profound members. This award was established to recognize an individual who has made exemplary technical, practical and/or administrative contributions to Committee C12 during a long and continuous period of time. To no one's surprise, the award was then presented to Albert W. Isberner, an avid leader and participant in the creation of many of the C12 standards.
For more information on the ASTM Committee C12, please visit www.astm.org.