ASTM C1403-15

Standard Test Method for Rate of Water Absorption of Masonry Mortars

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method provides a laboratory procedure for determining the relative water absorption properties over time of mortars used for masonry construction. Because the specimens are made under laboratory conditions and do not take into account the effect of the masonry substrate or field mixing procedures, this method is not intended for field use. Data generated from this test method may be useful for determining the relative effectiveness of water repellent admixtures or the effect of other admixtures or mortar components on the water repellency of a mortar. However, use caution in interpreting the results. While the resistance of masonry to water penetration may be related to the water absorption of the mortar, it also depends on other factors, such as the workmanship, extent of bond, and the properties of the masonry units and mortar.
Note 1: This test method is specified in Specification C1384 for demonstrating compliance of mortar admixtures classified as Water Repellent. In this compliance testing, the admixed mortar is compared to a reference mortar made with the same mortar materials except that it does not include the admixture. For quality control testing of water repellent preblended dry mortar mixes, the reference mortar is not typically available since the water repellent additive is added during the manufacturing process prior to bagging the final product. In these cases, the procedure in Annex A1 can be used to determine the relative resistance of the mortar to absorption by capillary uptake.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a standardized laboratory procedure for determining the relative water absorption by capillary uptake (wicking) characteristics of masonry mortars. This test method is not applicable for determining the effectiveness of water repellent coatings.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.2.1 Inch-pound units are given in parentheses for temperature specification and are for information only.  
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: 30-Jun-2015
• ICS: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar
• Technical Committee: C12 - Mortars and Grouts for Unit Masonry
• Drafting Committee: C12.02 - Research and Methods of Test

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: C1403 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Rate of Water Absorption of Masonry Mortars
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1403; 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* Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
C778 Specification for Standard Sand
1.1 This test method covers a standardized laboratory pro-
C1180 Terminology of Mortar and Grout for Unit Masonry
cedure for determining the relative water absorption by capil-
C1384 Specification for Admixtures for Masonry Mortars
lary uptake (wicking) characteristics of masonry mortars. This
C1437 Test Method for Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
test method is not applicable for determining the effectiveness
of water repellent coatings.
3. Terminology
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
method, refer to Terminology C1180.
standard.
1.2.1 Inch-poundunitsaregiveninparenthesesfortempera-
4. Significance and Use
ture specification and are for information only.
4.1 This test method provides a laboratory procedure for
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
determining the relative water absorption properties over time
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
of mortars used for masonry construction. Because the speci-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
mensaremadeunderlaboratoryconditionsanddonottakeinto
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
account the effect of the masonry substrate or field mixing
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
procedures, this method is not intended for field use. Data
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
generated from this test method may be useful for determining
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
the relative effectiveness of water repellent admixtures or the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
effect of other admixtures or mortar components on the water
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
repellencyofamortar.However,usecautionininterpretingthe
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
results. While the resistance of masonry to water penetration
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
may be related to the water absorption of the mortar, it also
depends on other factors, such as the workmanship, extent of
2. Referenced Documents
bond, and the properties of the masonry units and mortar.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 1—This test method is specified in Specification C1384 for
C109/C109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of
demonstrating compliance of mortar admixtures classified as Water
Repellent. In this compliance testing, the admixed mortar is compared to
Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube
areferencemortarmadewiththesamemortarmaterialsexceptthatitdoes
Specimens)
not include the admixture. For quality control testing of water repellent
C270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry
preblended dry mortar mixes, the reference mortar is not typically
C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement
available since the water repellent additive is added during the manufac-
Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
turing process prior to bagging the final product. In these cases, the
procedure in AnnexA1 can be used to determine the relative resistance of
C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets,
the mortar to absorption by capillary uptake.
Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
5. Apparatus
5.1 Balance—A balance readable and accurate to 0.1 g.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C12 on Mortars
and Grouts for Unit Masonry and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
5.2 Uptake Container—A watertight container with a mini-
C12.02 on Research and Methods of Test.
mum cross sectional area that is at least 50 % greater than the
Current edition approved July 1, 2015. Published July 2015. Originally approved
total area of the specimens’ test surface(s) and a minimum
in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C1403 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/
C1403-15.
depth of 75 mm. Provide a cover for the container to minimize
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
evaporation.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.2.1 Usespecimensupportsthatallowaminimumof3mm
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
t
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: C1403 − 14 C1403 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Rate of Water Absorption of Masonry Mortars
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1403; 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 test method covers a standardized laboratory procedure for determining the relative water absorption by capillary
uptake (wicking) characteristics of masonry mortars. This test method is not applicable for determining the effectiveness of water
repellent coatings.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.2.1 Inch-pound units are given in parentheses for temperature specification and are for information only.
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:
C109/C109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube Specimens)
C270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry
C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic
Cements and Concretes
C778 Specification for Sand
C1180 Terminology of Mortar and Grout for Unit Masonry
C1384 Specification for Admixtures for Masonry Mortars
C1437 Test Method for Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology C1180.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method provides a laboratory procedure for determining the relative water absorption properties over time of
mortars used for masonry construction. Because the specimens are made under laboratory conditions and do not take into account
the effect of the masonry substrate or field mixing procedures, this method is not intended for field use. Data generated from this
test method may be useful for determining the relative effectiveness of water repellent admixtures or the effect of other admixtures
or mortar components on the water repellency of a mortar. However, use caution in interpreting the results. While the resistance
of masonry to water penetration may be related to the water absorption of the mortar, it also depends on other factors, such as the
workmanship, extent of bond, and the properties of the masonry units and mortar.
NOTE 1—This test method is specified in Specification C1384 for demonstrating compliance of mortar admixtures classified as Water Repellent. In this
compliance testing, the admixed mortar is compared to a reference mortar made with the same mortar materials except that it does not include the
admixture. For quality control testing of water repellent preblended dry mortar mixes, the reference mortar is not typically available since the water
repellent additive is added during the manufacturing process prior to bagging the final product. In these cases, the procedure in Annex A1 can be used
to determine the relative resistance of the mortar to absorption by capillary uptake.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C12 on Mortars and Grouts for Unit Masonry and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C12.02
on Research and Methods of Test.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2014July 1, 2015. Published January 2015July 2015. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20132014 as
C1403 – 13.C1403 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/C1403-14.10.1520/C1403-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM 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.
*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
1

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C1403 − 15
5. Apparatus
5.1 Balance—A balance readable and accurate to 0.1 g.
...