ASTM C1586-20

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Designation: C1586 − 18 C1586 − 20
Standard Guide for
Quality Assurance of Mortars
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1586; 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*
1.1 This document provides guidance regarding the proper use of Specification C270 and Test Method C780 for evaluating
masonry mortar produced in the laboratory and at the construction site.
1.2 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C144 Specification for Aggregate for Masonry Mortar
C270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry
C780 Test Method for Preconstruction and Construction Evaluation of Mortars for Plain and Reinforced Unit Masonry
3. Significance and Use
3.1 This document is intended to provide guidance and clarification to designers, specifiers, inspectors, testing agencies,
producers, and users in specifying and evaluating masonry mortar.
3.2 Users of documents Specification C270 and Test Method C780 often confuse and sometimes inadvertently misuse parts of
the two documents when specifying or evaluating masonry mortar. This guide seeks to address specific items within Specification
C270 and Test Method C780 to help promote their proper use and interpretation.
4. Specifying Masonry Mortar
4.1 Use Specification C270 to specify masonry mortar by either the Proportion or Property Specifications of that standard, but
not both. If neither Proportion or Property Specification C270 are specified, the Proportion specification shall govern, unless data
are presented to and accepted by the specifier to show that the mortar meets the property specification requirements.
4.2 Proportion Specifications—These Specifications direct the mason to produce the masonry mortar using designated
volumetric proportions of cementitious materials and aggregate as set forth in Table 2, Proportionthe Specification C270
Specifications, of SpecificationProportion Specifications table C270for the Type of mortar specified. This procedure of specifying
mortar requires no sampling or testing of mortar, and hence, no measurement of mortar properties in the laboratory or the field
is required. All that is necessary is field confirmation of the proper proportions of the mixes used in construction.
4.3 Property Specifications—These Specifications require testing of laboratory-prepared mortar for compliance with the
requirements of Table 1, Propertythe Specification C270 Specifications, of SpecificationProperty Specifications table C270for the
Type of mortar specified.
4.3.1 The Property Specifications require evaluation of a mortar with a consistency (flow) of 110 6 5 %. This is an arbitrarily
established mortar consistency that is used to approximate the water content of mortar after it is placed in a masonry assemblage
with absorbent masonry units. The amount of water required in mortar produced at the construction site is normally greater than
the amount used for Specification C270 Property Specifications testing.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C12 on Mortars and Grouts for Unit Masonryand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C12.03 on
Specifications for Mortars.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2018July 1, 2020. Published December 2018July 2020. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20172018 as
C1586 – 17.C1586 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/C1586-18.10.1520/C1586-20.
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volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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C1586 − 20
4.3.2 Do not use the Specification C270 Property Specifications requirements to evaluate construction site-produced mortars.
Due to the higher amount of water necessary for actual masonry construction, mortar produced and sampled in the field will
typically have lower compressive strength than that produced in the laboratory per Specification C270.
4.3.3 When mortar is specified by the Property Specifications, the quantities of cementitious materials and aggregates as
determined through laboratory testing are converted to volumetric proportions to produce masonry mortar at the construction site.
5. Quality Assurance of Masonry Mortar
5.1 Mortar Materials—Verify that individual mortar materials being used meet the ASTM Standards listed under the Materials
Section of Specification C270. Compliance is typically verified by submission of a letter of certification or test report for each
mortar material.
NOTE 1—If any of the materials used do not comply with the material requirements of Specification C270, the Proportion Specifications can not be
used. Specification C270 specifically permits the use of masonry sands that do not comply with the gradation requirements of Specification C144 provided
that the Property Specifications of Specification C270 are used rather than the Proportion Specifications.
5.2 Property Specifications—Verify that the tested properties of the laboratory-prepared mortar meet the appropriate Property
Specifications’ requirements of Specification C270 for the specified mortar Type. Also verify that the laboratory test report includes
the volumetric proportions and materials used to meet the Property Specifications.
5.3 Proportioning of Materials—Use inspection, testing, or both to assure proper proportioning of mortar mat
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