ASTM C946-18

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 402-16) and Specification for Masonry Structures (TMS 602-16).  
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, 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2018
• ICS: 91.060.10 - Walls. Partitions. Facades
• Technical Committee: C12 - Mortars and Grouts for Unit Masonry
• Drafting Committee: C12.06 - Surface Bonding

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 − 18
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 C270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry
C887 Specification for Packaged, Dry, Combined Materials
1.1 This practice covers material, workmanship, and con-
for Surface Bonding Mortar
struction procedures for applying surface bonded mortar to
2.2 Other Documents:
both sides of dry stacked concrete masonry units. It does not
TMS 402-16 The Masonry Society, Building Code Require-
include grout, reinforcing, anchorage, or control joints since
3
ments for Masonry Structures
their use is essentially the same as conventional concrete
TMS 602-16 The Masonry Society, Specification for Ma-
masonry construction, unless specifically mentioned in this
3
sonry Structures
practice.
TEK 10-2C National Concrete Masonry Association, Con-
NOTE 1—Design and construction procedures for conventional concrete
trol Joints for Concrete Masonry Walls—Empirical
masonry construction are found in Building Code Requirements for
4
Method
Masonry Structures (TMS 402-16) and Specification for Masonry Struc-
Standard Practice for Bracing Masonry Walls Under Con-
tures (TMS 602-16).
struction, Masonry Contractors Association of America,
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
5
2012
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3. Storage
and are not considered standard.
3.1 Deliver and store surface bonding mortar in original
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
containers off the ground to prevent contact with water. Protect
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
from rain with suitable covering.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 Store concrete masonry units off the ground to prevent
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
contamination by mud, dust, and materials likely to cause
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
staining or other defects, and protect from rain.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4. Materials and Manufacture
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1 Concrete masonry units shall be clean and shall meet the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
requirements of either Specifications C55, C90, or C129. The
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
surface to receive surface bonding mortar shall be free of paint,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
oil, efflorescence, or foreign materials that interfere with
2. Referenced Documents
bonding.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2 Surface bonding mortar shall meet the requirements of
C55 Specification for Concrete Building Brick
Specification C887. If the dry mix contains hard lumps, it shall
C90 Specification for Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units
not be used.
C129 Specification for Nonloadbearing Concrete Masonry
4.3 Leveling course shall be bedded with a mortar meeting
Units
either Specification C270 or Specification C887.
4.4 Shims shall be corrosion-resistant metal or plastic with
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C12 on Mortars and
a minimum compressive strength of 2000 psi (13.8 MPa), or
Grouts for Unit Masonry and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C12.06 on
steel protected from corrosion by a coating of zinc at least 0.8
Surface Bonding.
Current edition approved June 1, 2018. Published July 2018. Originally approved
in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as C946 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/
3
C0946-18. Available from The Masonry Society, www.masonrysociety.org
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from the National Concrete Masonry Assn. (NCMA), 13750 Sunrise
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Valley Drive, Herndon, VA 20171, 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), 1481
the ASTM website. Merchant Drive, Algonquin, IL 60102, http://www.masoncontractors.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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C946 − 18
2 2
oz/ft (2.4
...

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: C946 − 10 C946 − 18
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.
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) (TMS 402-16) and Specification for Masonry Structures (TMS 602-08/ACI 530.1-08/ASCE 6-08).
602-16).
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C55 Specification for Concrete Building Brick
C90 Specification for Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units
C129 Specification for Nonloadbearing Concrete Masonry Units
C270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry
C887 Specification for Packaged, Dry, Combined Materials for Surface Bonding Mortar
2.2 Other Documents:
3
TMS 402-08/ACI 530-08/ASCE 5-08TMS 402-16 The Masonry Society, Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures
3
TMS 602-08/ACI 530.1-08/ASCE 6-08602-16 The Masonry Society, Specification for Masonry Structures
TEK 10-2A10-2C National Concrete Masonry Association, Control Joints for Concrete Masonry WallsWalls—Empirical
4
Method
5
Standard Practice for Bracing Masonry Walls Under Construction, Masonry Contractors Association of AmericaAmerica, 2012
3. Storage
3.1 Deliver and store surface bonding mortar in original containers off the ground to prevent contact with water. Protect from
rain with suitable covering.
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 Jan. 1, 2010June 1, 2018. Published February 2010July 2018. Originally approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 20012010 as
C946 – 91C946 – 10.(2001). DOI: 10.1520/C0946-10.10.1520/C0946-18.
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.
3
Available from The Masonry Society, www.masonrysociety.org; American Concrete Institute, www.aci-int.org; and American Society of Civil Engineers, www.asce-
.org.www.masonrysociety.org
4
Available from the National Concrete Masonry Assn. (NCMA), P.O. Box 781, 13750 Sunrise Valley Drive, Herndon, VA 22070,20171, http://www.ncma.org.
5
Available from Masonry Contractors Association of America (MCAA), 33 South Roselle Rd., Schaumberg, IL 60193,1481 Merchant Drive, Algonquin, IL 60102,
http://www.masoncontractors.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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C946 − 18
3.2 Store concrete masonry units off the ground to prevent contamination by mud, dust, and materials likely to cause staining
or other defects, and protect from rain.
4. Materials and Manufacture
4.1 Concrete masonry units shall be c
...