ASTM C144-18

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it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C144 − 17 C144 − 18 American Association State Highway and Transportation Officials Standard
AASHTO No.: M45-70 (1974)
Standard Specification for
Aggregate for Masonry Mortar
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C144; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers aggregate for use in masonry mortar.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 78, of this standard. This standard
does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.4 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:
C40C40/C40M Test Method for Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregates for Concrete
C87C87/C87M Test Method for Effect of Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregate on Strength of Mortar
C88C88/C88M Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
C117 Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-μm (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
C123C123/C123M Test Method for Lightweight Particles in Aggregate
C128 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
C136C136/C136M Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
C142C142/C142M Test Method for Clay Lumps and Friable Particles in Aggregates
C270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry
C404 Specification for Aggregates for Masonry Grout
C1180 Terminology of Mortar and Grout for Unit Masonry
C1713 Specification for Mortars for the Repair of Historic Masonry
D75D75/D75M Practice for Sampling Aggregates
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this specification, refer to Terminology C1180.
4. Materials and Manufacture
4.1 Aggregate for use in masonry mortar shall consist of natural sand or manufactured sand. Manufactured sand is the product
obtained by crushing stone, gravel, or air-cooled iron blast-furnace slag specially processed to ensure suitable gradation.
NOTE 1—Care should be taken to ensure a suitable particle shape, since excessive quantities of flat and elongated particles have historically caused
problems with workability.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C12 on Mortars and Grouts for Unit Masonry and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C12.04
on Specifications for Aggregates for Mortars.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2017Dec. 1, 2018. Published January 2018December 2018. Originally approved in 1939. Last previous edition approved in 20112017
as C144 – 11.C144 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/C0144-17.10.1520/C0144-18.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
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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C144 − 18
5. Grading
5.1 Aggregate for use in masonry mortar shall be graded within the following limits, depending upon whether natural sand or
manufactured sand is to be used:
Percent Passing
Sieve Designation Natural Sand Manufactured
Sand
4.75-mm (No. 4) 100 100
2.36-mm (No. 8) 95 to 100 95 to 100
1.18-mm (No. 16) 70 to 100 70 to 100
600-μm (No. 30) 40 to 75 40 to 75
300-μm (No. 50) 10 to 35 20 to 40
150-μm (No. 100) 2 to 15 10 to 25
75-μm (No. 200) 0 to 5 0 to 10
5.2 The aggregate shall not have more than 50 % retained between any two consecutive sieves of those listed in 4.15.1 nor more
than 25 % between 300-μm (No. 50) and the 150-μm (No. 100) sieve.
5.3 If the fineness modulus varies by more than 0.20 from the value assumed in selecting proportions for the mortar, the
aggregate shall be rejected unless suitable adjustments are made in proportions to compensate for the change in grading.
NOTE 2—For heavy construction employing joints thick
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