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Section 2.11.2
MASONRY GROUT
SCOPE Conversely, grout is poured with a significantly higher
water-cement ratio into what are essentially absorptive
This Technology Brief presents general information on forms - masonry unit cells or cores. The initially high
masonry grout, discussing such topics as grout materials, water-cement ratio of grout is rapidly reduced because
mixes, and admixtures. Knowledge of applicable standards, the masonry absorbs much of the water.
codes and field practices is required to thoroughly
understand masonry grout. The information contained in Mortar, on the other hand, differs from grout in that it
this guide is intended to further educate the user on grout often contains hydrated lime, additives, finer aggregates
and grout materials. and only enough water to make it workable.
C 476 – 09
TABLE 1 Conventional Grout Proportions by Volume
Type Parts by Volume of Parts by Volume of Aggregate,
Portland Cement or Hydrated Lime or Lime Measured in a Damp, Loose Condition
Blended Cement Putty
Fine Coarse
Fine grout 1 0– ⁄
1 10 2 ⁄ –3 times the sum of the
14 ...
volumes of the cementitious
materials
Coarse grout 1 0–1⁄10 21⁄4 –3 times the sum of the 1–2 times the sum of the
volumes of the cementitious volumes of the cementitious
materials materials
GROUT TESTING
To ensure consistency of grout strength, field samples
should be tested periodically in accordance with ASTM
Standard C 1019. This standard requires testing of field
samples constructed from a mold consisting of the
masonry units proposed for construction. (See Figure 1).
Typically called a “pinwheel”, molding the grout sample
with masonry units simulates the water absorption from
the grout that will take place in an actual wall.
This document is intended for the use of industry professionals who are competent to evaluate the significance and limitations of
the information provided herein. This publication should not be used as the sole guide for masonry design and construction, and
IMI disclaims Mold for
any and allCombinations of Units
legal responsibility for the consequences of applying the information.
GROUT ADMIXTURES
Grout admixtures should not be used unless specified Masonry Sustainable Design
in the contract documents. Some common grout
admixtures are: Fly ash is a mineral by-product of coal combustion
that is often used to supplement the portland
cement in masonry grout. As such it can contribute
Superplasticizers - Substituting superplasticizers for a toward LEED Materials and Resources points for
portion of water in a grout mix can provide additional use of recycled materials. It may be called for
fluidity while maintaining a low water-cement ratio, specifically as part of the grout mix or included in
ensuring high compressive strengths. Superplasticizers a blended cement. ASTM C 476 permits the use of
can be used when grouting masonry assemblies with cement meeting ASTM C 595, Standard Specification
very low absorption rates. for Blended Hydraulic Cements, which allows 15 to
40 percent fly ash by weight of portland cement as
Anti-Shrinking Agents - These admixtures counter a cement replacement. This means fly ash can be
grout’s tendency to shrink as water is absorbed substituted for portland cement up to these limits
from it. Anti-shrinking agents act as an expanding per ASTM C 476.
agent and are typically combined with other commonly
used plasticizers. Besides adding strength, the fine spherical particles
of fly ash enhance the important grout properties
Accelerators - Adding accelerators to grout will of flow and pumpability. Grout containing fly ash
hasten grout set time during cold weather, minimizing generally reaches at least a similar compressive
the amount of time the wall must be protected strength as grout with just portland cement.
from freezing. Accelerators containing calcium However, most fly ash grout develops compressive
chloride should not be used in grout that will be in strength slower. Therefore, this should be
contact with reinforcing steel or any other embedded investigated in situations where the early strength
steel items. of a grouted wall is critical, such as when setting
planks or floor joists on newly-built masonry or
Retarders - Adding retarders to grout will delay when building in cold weather conditions.
grout set time during hot weather construction.
Retarders help extend grout fluidity keeping it
workable long enough to be placed properly and Currently two types of fly ash, Class C and Class
consolidated sufficiently. F, are used in masonry grout. The designations
result from the coal source. Class C fly ashes
Fly Ash - Fly ash is a pozzolanic material produced from are typically found west of the Mississippi and
coal and man ufacturing by-products. A cementitious Class F east of the Mississippi. Class C has
material that can be more economical than portland some cementitous properties when used alone
cement, fly ash can be added to a grout mixture as but Class F needs portland cement or calcium
a partial substitute for portland cement or lime. hydroxide resulting from hydrating cement to
Also, fly ash helps grout maintain a given slump and kick off its reaction. Usually this means that
improves grout pumpability. Note that the strength Class C fly ash hydrates faster and may have
gain of the grout may be slower with fly ash than more early strength. This underscores why it
with portland cement and this must be factored into is important to know the products available in
construction sequencing. However, it is important to be the project area.
familiar with the specific fly ash product being used as
in a few cases, compressive strength gain may actually
be accelerated.
This
This document
document is
is intended
intended for
for the
the use
use of
of industry
industry professionals
professionals who
who are
are competent
competent toto evaluate
evaluate the
the significance
significance and
and limitations
limitations of
of
the
the information
information provided
provided herein.
herein. This
This publication
publication should
should not
not be
be used
used as
as the
the sole
sole guide
guide for
for masonry
masonry design
design and
and construction,
construction, and
and
IMI
IMI disclaims
disclaims any
any and
and all
all legal
legal responsibility
responsibility for
for the
the consequences
consequences ofof applying
applying the
the information.
information.
CC IMI
IMI 2009.
2009. ALL
ALL RIGHTS
RIGHTS RESERVED.
RESERVED.
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International Masonry
Masonry Institute
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