ASTM C946-10

Standard Practice for Construction of Dry-Stacked, Surface-Bonded Walls

ABSTRACT
This practice covers material, workmanship, and construction procedures for applying surface bonded mortar to both sides of dry stacked concrete masonry units. Mortar shall be mixed and shall be selected in accordance with the proportion specification prescribed. Shims shall be corrosion-resistant metal or plastic with a required minimum compressive strength. Courses of concrete masonry units between the leveling courses shall be placed without mortar on the bed or head joints. Place units in running bond. Remove burrs and butt blocks tightly. Use shims, mortar, or surface bonding mortar to plum and level individual units when necessary. Use clean mixing equipment and water free of deleterious amounts of acid, alkali, and organic materials. Mix only full bag multiples of material to overcome any segregation of ingredients. Mixing time shall be kept to a minimum, as over mixing may cause damage to the fibers. Before applying surface bonding mortar, wet the wall uniformly with water to prevent excessive suction of water from the surface bonding mortar. Trowel- or spray-apply surface bonding mortar to both sides of dry-stacked concrete masonry units. When a second coat of surface bonding mortar is to be applied, the first coat shall have taken its initial set. Dampen the wall with a water mist after a specified time, but within a day of application of surface bonding mortar. The top of the walls shall be covered with a nonstaining, waterproof covering to prevent moisture from entering the wall until the top is permanently protected.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers material, workmanship, and construction procedures for applying surface bonded mortar to both sides of dry stacked concrete masonry units. It does not include grout, reinforcing, anchorage, or control joints since their use is essentially the same as conventional concrete masonry construction, unless specifically mentioned in this practice.
Note 1—Design and construction procedures for conventional concrete masonry construction are found in Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures (TMS 402-08/ACI 530-08/ASCE 5-08) and Specification for Masonry Structures (TMS 602-08/ACI 530.1-08/ASCE 6-08).  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2009
• ICS: 91.060.10 - Walls. Partitions. Facades
• Technical Committee: C12 - Mortars and Grouts for Unit Masonry
• Drafting Committee: C12.06 - Surface Bonding

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C946-91(2001) - Standard Practice for Construction of Dry-Stacked, Surface-Bonded Walls
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2010
• Referred By: ASTM C1180-22 - Standard Terminology of Mortar and Grout for Unit Masonry
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2010

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: C946 − 10
Standard Practice for
1
Construction of Dry-Stacked, Surface-Bonded Walls
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C946; 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 2.2 Other Documents:
TMS 402-08/ACI 530-08/ASCE 5-08 The Masonry Society,
1.1 This practice covers material, workmanship, and con-
3
Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures
struction procedures for applying surface bonded mortar to
TMS 602-08/ACI 530.1-08/ASCE 6-08 The Masonry
both sides of dry stacked concrete masonry units. It does not 3
Society, Specification for Masonry Structures
include grout, reinforcing, anchorage, or control joints since
TEK 10-2A National Concrete Masonry Association, Con-
their use is essentially the same as conventional concrete 4
trol Joints for Concrete Masonry Walls
masonry construction, unless specifically mentioned in this
Standard Practice for Bracing Masonry Walls Under Con-
5
practice.
struction, Masonry Contractors Association of America
NOTE 1—Design and construction procedures for conventional concrete
3. Storage
masonry construction are found in Building Code Requirements for
Masonry Structures (TMS 402-08/ACI 530-08/ASCE 5-08) and Specifi-
3.1 Deliver and store surface bonding mortar in original
cation for Masonry Structures (TMS 602-08/ACI 530.1-08/ASCE 6-08).
containers off the ground to prevent contact with water. Protect
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded from rain with suitable covering.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.2 Store concrete masonry units off the ground to prevent
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
contamination by mud, dust, and materials likely to cause
and are not considered standard.
staining or other defects, and protect from rain.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Materials and Manufacture
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 Concretemasonryunitsshallbecleanandshallmeetthe
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
requirements of either Specifications C55, C90,or C129. The
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. surfacetoreceivesurfacebondingmortarshallbefreeofpaint,
oil, efflorescence, or foreign materials that interfere with
2. Referenced Documents bonding.
2
4.2 Surface bonding mortar shall meet the requirements of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Specification C887. If the dry mix contains hard lumps, it shall
C55 Specification for Concrete Building Brick
not be used.
C90 Specification for Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units
C129 Specification for Nonloadbearing Concrete Masonry
4.3 Leveling course shall be bedded with a mortar meeting
Units
either Specification C270 or Specification C887.
C270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry
4.4 Shims shall be corrosion-resistant metal or plastic with
C887 Specification for Packaged, Dry, Combined Materials
a minimum compressive strength of 2000 psi (13.8 MPa), or
for Surface Bonding Mortar
steel protected from corrosion by a coating of zinc at least 0.8
2 2
oz/ft (2.4 gm/mm ), or by a coating of cadmium or zinc of
equivalent corrosion resistance.
1
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC12onMortarsand
GroutsforUnitMasonryandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeC12.06on
Surface Bonding.
3
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2010. Published February 2010. Originally Available from The Masonry Society, www.masonrysociety.org; American
approvedin1981.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2001asC946 – 91(2001).DOI: Concrete Institute, www.aci-int.org; and American Society of Civil Engineers,
10.1520/C0946-10. www.asce.org.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from the National Concrete Masonry Assn. (NCMA), P.O. Box 781,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Herndon, VA 22070, http://www.ncma.org.
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Masonry Contractors Association of America (MCAA), 33
the ASTM website. South Roselle Rd., Schaumberg, IL 60193, http://www.masoncontractors.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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C946 − 10
5. Leveling Courses 7.2 Surface bonding mortar shall be mixed according to the
manufacturer’s instructions and used within the time recom-
5.1 Leveling courses, when needed,
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
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:C946–91(Reapproved 2001) Designation: C946 – 10
Standard Practice for
1
Construction of Dry-Stacked, Surface-Bonded Walls
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C946; 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 practice covers material, workmanship, and construction procedures for applying surface bonded mortar to both sides
of dry stacked concrete masonry units. It does not include grout, reinforcing, anchorage, or control joints since their use is
essentially the same as conventional concrete masonry construction, unless specifically mentioned in this practice.
NOTE1—Design and construction procedures for conventional concrete masonry construction have been written by the American Concrete Institute,
“Building Code Requirements for Concrete Masonry Structures” and the National Concrete Masonry Associations, “Specification for the Design and
Construction of Load-Bearing Concrete Masonry.”
1.2The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
information only. 1—Design and construction procedures for conventional concrete masonry construction are found in Building
Code Requirements for Masonry Structures (TMS 402-08/ACI 530-08/ASCE 5-08) and Specification for Masonry Structures
(TMS 602-08/ACI 530.1-08/ASCE 6-08).
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C55 Specification for Concrete Building Brick
C90 Specification for Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units
C129 Specification for Nonloadbearing Concrete Masonry Units C145Specification for Solid Load-Bearing Concrete Masonry
Units
C270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry
C887 Specification for Packaged, Dry, Combined Materials for Surface Bonding Mortar
2.2 American Concrete Institute Standard: Other Documents:
531Building Code Requirements for Concrete Masonry Structures, Commentary-ACI 531R-79
2.3 International Masonry Industry All-Weather Council Standards: TMS 402-08/ACI 530-08/ASCE 5-08 The Masonry Society,
3
Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures
Recommended Practices and Guide Specifications for Cold Weather Masonry Construction
2.4 National Concrete Masonry Association Standard: TMS 602-08/ACI 530.1-08/ASCE 6-08 The Masonry Society, Specifi-
3
cation for Masonry Structures
Specification for the Design and Construction of Load-Bearing Concrete MasonryTEK 10-2A National Concrete Masonry
4
Association, Control Joints for Concrete Masonry Walls
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C12 on Mortars and Grouts for Unit Masonry and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C12.06 on
Surface Bonding.
Current edition approved September 15, 1991. Published November 1991. Originally published as C946–81. Last previous edition C946–84 (1989). DOI:
10.1520/C0946-91R01.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2010. Published February 2010. Originally approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as C946 – 91(2001). DOI:
10.1520/C0946-10.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from the American Concrete Institute, P.O. Box 9094, Farmington Hills, MI 18333.
3
Available from The Masonry Society, www.masonrysociety.org;American Concrete Institute, www.aci-int.org; andAmerican Society of Civil Engineers, www.asce.org.
4
Available from the International Masonry Industry All-Weather Council, Mason Contractors Association of America, 17 W601 Fourteenth St., Oakbrook Terrace, IL
60181.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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