ASTM C780-06a

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Designation:C780–06a
Standard Test Method for
Preconstruction and Construction Evaluation of Mortars for
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Plain and Reinforced Unit Masonry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C780; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
INTRODUCTION
This test method provides a standard procedure for sampling and testing mortars for composition
and plastic and hardened properties, either before or during actual construction. The procedures
outlined in the Annexes are considered applicable for evaluating various combinations of portland
cement, lime, and masonry cement for mortars common to plain and reinforced unit masonry
construction.
The test procedures describe methods for the measurement of mortar composition and mortar
properties. No attempt is made to claim or substantiate specific correlations between the measured
properties and mortar performance in the masonry. However, data from these test methods can be
combined with other information to formulate judgments about the quality of the masonry.
Testing using these procedures is limited to the preconstruction evaluation of masonry mortars
withinthelaboratory,totheevaluationofmasonrymortarsattheconstructionsite,andinestablishing
the degree of quality control exercised during mortar production at the construction site.
1. Scope* 1.4 The test results obtained under this test method are not
required to meet the minimum compressive values in accor-
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversproceduresforthesamplingand
dance with the property specifications in Specification C270.
testing of mortars for composition and for their plastic and
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
hardened properties, either before or during their actual use in
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
construction.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
NOTE 1—Guide C1586 provides guidance on evaluating mortar and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
clarifies the purpose of both this test method and Specification C270.
bilityofregulatorylimitationspriortouse.Forspecifichazards
NOTE 2—The testing agency performing this test method should be
statements, see Section 8.
evaluated in accordance with Practice C1093.
1.2 Preconstruction Evaluation—This test method permits
2. Referenced Documents
comparisons of mortars made from different materials under 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
simulated field conditions. It is also used to establish baseline
C39/C39M Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cy-
values for comparative evaluation of field mortars.
lindrical Concrete Specimens
1.3 Construction Evaluation—Use of this method in the
C109/C109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of
field provides a means for quality assurance of field-mixed
Hydraulic Cement Mortars(Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube
mortar. It includes methods for verifying the mortar mix
Specimens)
proportions, comparing test results for field mortars to precon-
C128 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific
struction testing, and determining batch-to-batch uniformity of
Gravity), and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
the mortar.
C173/C173M Test Method for Air Content of Freshly
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ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC12onMortars
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and Grouts for Unit Masonry and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
C12.02 on Research and Methods of Test. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2006. Published February 2007. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1974. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as C780–06. the ASTM website.
*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.
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C780–06a
Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method mortar board shall be so identified to differentiate them from
C187 Test Method for Normal Consistency of Hydraulic samples taken from a mortar board used exclusively for test
Cement purposes.
C231 Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed
4. Summary of Test Method
Concrete by the Pressure Method
4.1 Preconstruction evaluation of mortar systems involves
C270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry
thepreparationofoneormoretrialbatcheswhicharemixe
...