Development of Specifications for Mortar Cement Available to Purchase

A specification for mortar cement was incorporated into the Uniform Building Code (UBC) Standards by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) in 1991. This action was taken on the basis of recommendations made by the Masonry Industry Code Committee (MICC), a volunteer committee of producers, general interest, and user individuals, which coordinates masonry industry input with respect to the UBC and UBC Standards. The UBC Mortar Cement Standard represents the culmination of research and standards development effort that was coordinated by the MICC. More recently, ASTM Subcommittee C01.11 on Masonry Cement has undertaken action to develop an ASTM consensus standard for mortar cement.

This paper examines the research, rationale, and events that led to the development of the UBC mortar cement standard, explains how mortar cement differs from masonry cement in use and requirements, and discusses key issues being considered in the development of an ASTM Standard Specification for Mortar Cement.