Designation: C 1072 – 00a

Standard Test Method for

Measurement of Masonry Flexural Bond Strength1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1072; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope * unit and mortar properties, workmanship, curing conditions,

1.1 This test method covers the determination of flexural coatings on masonry units, or any other factors that may be of
bond strength of nonreinforced masonry by physical testing of concern.
each joint of masonry prisms. 3.3 Flexural bond strength determined by this test method
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the should not be interpreted as the flexural bond strength of a wall
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the constructed of the same material. However, results may be
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- used to predict the flexural strength of a wall. Nor should it be
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- interpreted as an indication of extent of bond for purposes of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. water permeance evaluation.

2. Referenced Documents 4. Apparatus

2.1 ASTM Standards: 4.1 The test apparatus is shown in Figs. 1-4. The upper and
C 67 Test Methods of Sampling and Testing Brick and lower clamping mechanisms shall be constructed as shown,
Structural Clay Tile2 except that the hex head bolts are permitted to be replaced by
C 140 Test Methods of Sampling and Testing Concrete other tightening devices of equal, or greater, strength and
Masonry Units2 stiffness. The support frame shall be constructed as shown or
C 270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry2 shall be constructed using configurations and materials of
C 780 Test Method for Preconstruction and Construction equal, or greater, strength and stiffness. The testing apparatus
Evaluation of Mortars for Plain and Reinforced Unit shall be constructed to apply the load vertically downward on
Masonry2 the upper clamping system in such a manner that the upper and
C 1357 Test Methods for Evaluating Masonry Bond lower clamp do not come in contact during the tests. The prism
Strength2 support system shall be able to accommodate the size of the
prism to be tested.
3. Significance and Use
5. Sampling and Testing
3.1 This test method is intended to provide a simple and
economical means for the determination of comparative values 5.1 Brick Masonry Units—Representative brick masonry
of flexural bond strength. It may be used either on specimens units shall be sampled and tested in accordance with Test
especially fabricated for bond strength evaluation or on speci- Methods C 67.
mens cut from existing masonry. NOTE 1—Brick properties for which there are methods of test in Test
3.2 The bond strengths determined from this test method Methods C 67 that may be of interest are cold-water absorption, boiling-
can be used as a means of evaluating the compatibility of water absorption, initial rate of absorption, and compressive strength.
mortars and masonry units. It may also be used to determine 5.2 Concrete Masonry Units—Representative concrete ma-
the effect on flexural bond strength of such factors as masonry sonry units shall be sampled and tested in accordance with Test
Methods C 140.
1
5.3 Mortar—When mortar property testing is specified, the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on
Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee compressive strength, air content, initial flow, cone penetration,
C15.04 on Research. and water retention shall be determined in accordance with the
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2000. Published January 2001. Originally requirements of Specification C 270 or Test Method C 780.
published as C 1072–93. Last previous edition C 1072–00.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05.

*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.

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 C 1072 – 00a

FIG. 1 Bond Wrench Testing Apparatus

6. Test Specimen 6.3.1.6 Generally, all prisms should be cured for 28 days;
6.1 The test specimen shall consist of a prism, two or more however, different periods of time may be used provided the
units in height, with a minimum width (b) of 4 in. (see Note 2) relationship between that period and 28 days strength has been
as shown in Fig. X1.1. Any type of masonry unit and mortar established, or if the effect of age is the parameter being
may be used. studied. Prisms fabricated in the laboratory shall be cured in
laboratory air. It is recommended that the laboratory air be
NOTE 2—It is recommended that a width (b) of 1 full masonry unit be maintained at a temperature of 75 6 15°F (24 6 8°C), with a
used. However, full widths may not be possible for samples obtained in
accordance with 6.3.2.
relative humidity between 30 and 70 %. Temperature and
humidity shall be recorded and reported. Closer controls on
6.2 A minimum of five joints shall be tested, using mortar temperature and humidity (for example, self cure in a plastic
joints 3⁄8 6 1⁄16 in. (9.5 6 1.5 mm) or as specified. membrane) are permitted, and may result in less variation of
6.3 Prisms may be constructed in a laboratory or in the field test results.
or may be removed from existing masonry.
6.3.1 Prisms Fabricated in Laboratory or Field: NOTE 4—Workmanship during fabrication, temperature of the materials
6.3.1.1 Set the first unit of each prism on a firm, horizontal during fabrication, curing conditions, time between removal from moist
surface without the use of mortar. curing to test, and other factors may affect the bond strengths measured by
this test. Standardized specimen fabrication and curing procedures that
NOTE 3—An alignment device may be used to ensure plumbness and attempt to control these variables are prescribed in Test Methods C 1357.
joint thickness uniformity.
6.3.1.7 When prisms are made during construction at the job
6.3.1.2 Place a full or face shell mortar bed on all units site, they shall be constructed in a location where they will not
without furrowing unless the effect of furrowing is being be disturbed, but will be subjected to atmospheric conditions
studied. similar to those in the masonry structure whose properties they
6.3.1.3 Immediately place the next course on the mortar bed are intended to represent.
and tap it to proper level and joint thickness. One face of each
6.3.2 Prisms Obtained from Existing Masonry:
prism shall be in a nearly true plane.
6.3.1.4 Repeat 6.3.1.2 and 6.3.1.3 until the prisms are the 6.3.2.1 Using a portable hand held masonry saw, cut all
desired height. Then 1 6 1⁄4 h after completion of construction, edges adjacent to the prism being removed. If embedments are
place two of the masonry units of the type used to construct the embedded in the intended sample, cut and remove sufficient
prism upon the top course. Identify all specimens using a adjacent masonry to permit cutting the embedments.
water-resistant marker. 6.3.2.2 Identify all samples with a water-resistant marker.
6.3.1.5 Joints may be tooled or struck flush, depending upon 6.3.2.3 Where mortar fins and extrusions project from the
the desired test conditions. If tooling is required, tool only the specimen to the extent that they may interfere with the
joints on one face of each prism. attachment of the bond wrench, they shall be removed without

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 C 1072 – 00a

FIG. 2 Bond Wrench Frame and Elevation

causing damage to the specimen. Remove only enough mate- 7.2 Attach the upper clamping bracket to the top brick as
rial to enable proper attachment of the bond wrench. shown in Fig. 1. Tighten each clamping bolt using a torque not
6.3.3 Handling Prisms—Prisms shall receive a minimum of greater than 50 lbf·in. (5.7 N·m).
handling, and shall be handled in such a way that the joints will 7.3 Lower base support away from the bottom of the brick
not be subjected to tensile stresses. prism so that no contact occurs during testing.
NOTE 5—One method to guard against tension stresses is to use a 7.4 Apply the load at a uniform rate so that the total load is
strapping apparatus (box bander) around the specimen which creates applied in not less than 1 min or more than 3 min. Measure
compression perpendicular to the bed joints.
load (see Note 6) to an accuracy of 62 % with maximum error
7. Procedure of 5 lbf (22 N).
7.1 Place the prism vertically in the support frame as shown NOTE 6—The load indicated in Fig. 1 may be applied by any means,
in Fig. 1, and clamp firmly into a locked position using the such as a testing machine, hydraulic jack, dead weights, etc. but must be
lower clamping bracket. Orient the prism so that the face of the within 63° of vertical. Load may be measured using the testing machine
joint intended to be subjected to flexural tension is on the same indicator, proving ring, load cell, or any device capable of the prescribed
side of the specimen as the clamping screws. The prism shall precision. Special attention must be given to non-recording load measur-
be positioned at the required elevation that results in a single ing devices. Since failure of the specimen is sudden, the device must be
brick projecting above the lower clamping bracket. continuously monitored or the failure load will be lost.

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 C 1072 – 00a

FIG. 3 Material List and Detail Drawings

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 C 1072 – 00a

FIG. 4 Detail Drawings of Bond Wrench

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 C 1072 – 00a

FIG. 4 Detail Drawings of Bond Wrench (continued)

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 C 1072 – 00a

FIG. 4 Detail Drawings of Bond Wrench (continued)

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 C 1072 – 00a
thickness (within 1⁄8 in. (3 mm)) and are symmetrical about the
centroidal axis of the prism, calculate the section properties of
8. Calculations
the prism as follows:
8.1 For specimens built of solid masonry units (at least 75 %
An 5 2b ~tfs! (3)
net area), calculate the gross area flexural strength as follows:
S5I/c
6~PL 1 Pl Ll! ~P 1 P l!
Fg 5 2 bd (1) c5d/2
bd 2

where: I52 F 12
3
b 3 ~tfs!
S DG tfs
1 ~b 3 tfs! 3 c – 2
2
5
b~tfs!3 btfs 3 ~d2tfs!2
6 1 2
Fg = gross area flexural tensile strength, psi (MPa),
P = maximum applied load, lbf (N),
Pl = weight of loading arm, lbf (N), (see Appendix X1), An = net bedded area of the prism, in.2 (mm2),
L = distance from center of prism to loading point, in. S = section modulus of the net bedded area of the prism,
(mm), in.3 (mm3),
Ll = distance from center of prism to centroid of loading I = moment of inertia of the net bedded area of the prism,
arm, in. (mm) (see Appendix X1), in.4 (mm4),
b = cross-sectional width of the mortar-bedded area, mea- c = distance from the centroid to the most extreme
sured perpendicular to the loading arm of the upper tension fiber of the mortar bedded area, in. (mm),
clamping bracket as determined in 8.3 (see Fig. 5), b = cross-sectional width of the mortar-bedded area, mea-
and sured perpendicular to the loading arm of the upper
d = cross-sectional depth of the mortar-bedded area, mea- clamping bracket as determined in 8.3 (see Fig. 6),
sured parallel to the loading arm of the upper clamp- d = cross-sectional depth of the mortar-bedded area, mea-
ing bracket as determined in 8.4 (see Fig. 5). sured parallel to the loading arm of the upper clamp-
8.2 For prisms built with hollow masonry units (less than ing bracket as determined in 8.4 (see Fig. 6), and
75 % net area), calculate the net area flexural tensile stress as tfs = minimum face shell thickness of unit (determined in
follows: accordance with Test Methods C 140), in. (mm) (see
Fig. 6).
PL 1 Pl L l P 1 Pl
Fn 5 S – A (2) 8.3 Determine the cross-sectional width of the mortar-
n
bedded area, measured perpendicular to the loading arm of the
where: upper clamping bracket, b, as follows:
Fn = net area flexural tensile strength, psi (MPa), 8.3.1 For clay masonry units, determine the length of the
S = section modulus of the net bedded area of the prism, unit using Test Methods C 67. This length shall be considered
in.3 (mm3), and as the cross-sectional width of the mortar-bedded area, b, as
An = net bedded area of the prism, in.2 (mm2). defined in this test method.
8.2.1 If hollow masonry prisms are constructed using face 8.3.2 For concrete masonry units, determine the length of
shell mortar bedding in which opposing face shells are equal in the unit using Test Methods C 140. This length (referred to as
L in Test Methods C 140) shall be considered as the cross-
sectional width of the mortar-bedded area, b, as defined in this
test method.
8.4 Determine the cross-sectional depth of the mortar-
bedded area, measured parallel to the loading arm of the upper
clamping bracket, d, as follows:
8.4.1 For clay masonry units, determine the width of the
unit using Test Methods C 67. This width shall be considered
as the cross-sectional depth of the mortar-bedded area, d, as
defined in this test method.
8.4.2 For concrete masonry units, determine the width of the
unit using Test Methods C 140. This width (referred to as W in
Test Methods C 140) shall be considered as the cross-sectional
depth of the mortar-bedded area, d, as defined in this test
method.

9. Report
9.1 Report the following information:
9.1.1 Identification number of prism,
9.1.2 Average prism dimensions to the nearest 0.05 in. (1.0
FIG. 5 Example Cross-Section of Solid Masonry Units mm) including width, depth, and height,

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 C 1072 – 00a
9.1.3 Weight of specimen, lbf (N),
9.1.4 Individual and average gross or net area flexural
tensile stress calculated to the nearest psi (MPa), standard
deviation, and position of the joint tested within the specimen.
The top mortar joint shall be designated joint Number 1, the
second, Number 2, etc. Measured loads and calculation shall
also be included,
9.1.5 Description of failure, especially indicating whether
failure occurred at the top or bottom of the mortar joint, or
both,
9.1.6 Sketch or photo of masonry unit showing core con-
figuration and mortar bedded area, full or face shell, and
9.1.7 Description of bonding pattern, joint tooling, location
of tooled joint during test, and joint thickness.
9.2 Where specified the report shall include the following:
9.2.1 Type and mix proportions of mortar,
9.2.2 Compressive strength of mortar, psi (MPa),
9.2.3 Initial flow or cone penetration of mortar as used,
9.2.4 Water retention of mortar,
9.2.5 Mortar air content,
9.2.6 Physical properties of masonry units, and
9.2.7 Curing history and age of specimen at each break.

10. Precision and Bias

10.1 Insufficient data is currently available for a precision
and bias statement.

11. Keywords
11.1 assemblies; bond; flexural; masonry; tensile

FIG. 6 Example Dimensions of Hollow Masonry Units Used to

Determine Section Properties

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 C 1072 – 00a
APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. DETERMINATION OF WEIGHT AND CENTROID OF UPPER CLAMPING BRACKET

X1.1 Side and plan views of the upper clamping bracket are method, vary the position of the frame upon the knife edge
illustrated in Fig. X1.1. The weight (P) of the upper clamping balance. The location of the frame centroid is the point where
bracket including the loading arm, is determined by weighing the frame balances upon the knife edge.
to the nearest 25 g or oz. A brick weighing within 0.1 lbf (0.44
X1.1.1 Determine L for use in Eq 1 and Eq 2 by the
N) and having a thickness (d) within 0.25 in. (6 mm) of those
being tested must be clamped into the position shown for the following expression:
brick in Fig. X1.1 before determining the weight and centroid Ll 5 r 1 d/2 (X1.1)
of the upper clamping bracket. The centroid of the upper
where:
clamping bracket is located by positioning the bracket upside
r = is shown in Fig. X1.1.
down upon a knife edge balance. Using a trial and error

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 C 1072 – 00a

FIG. X1.1 Upper Clamping Bracket

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C15 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since C 1072–00 that may
impact the use of this standard.
(1) The definitions of b and d in Eq 1 were changed.
(2) The notation for net bedded area in Eq 2 was changed from A to An.
(3) A new paragraph 8.2.1 (and Fig. 6) was added with procedures to calculate section properties of hollow
masonry prisms constructed using face shell bedded mortar.
(4) New paragraphs 8.3 and 8.4 give further guidance for the measurement of the width and depth of the mortar
bedded area.

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