Central Market Development, Abu Dhabi

Contents
Z21 MORTARS .............................................................................................................2

Z21.2000 MATERIALS/PRODUCTS..................................................................................... 2

Z21.2100 MATERIALS ........................................................................................................................ 2

Z21.2101 Mortar Generally .............................................................................................................................................................................2

Z21.2200 WORKMANSHIP ............................................................................................................... 2

Z21.2201 General .............................................................................................................................................................................................2

Z21.2300 TESTING ............................................................................................................................. 2

Z21.2301 Mortar Testing .................................................................................................................................................................................2

Z21.2400 TRANSPORTATION, HANDLING AND STORAGE OF MATERIALS ........................ 3

Z21.2401 Storage of Materials ......................................................................................................................................................................3

Architectural Specification – Package 6: Main Z21/1 Foster and Partners

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Z21 MORTARS
To be read in conjunction with Section A and other related sections of the Specification, Preliminaries
and Contract Conditions.

Z21.2000 MATERIALS/PRODUCTS

Z21.2100 MATERIALS
Z21.2101 Mortar Generally
a) Mortar mix proportions shall be cement, lime and sand as specified, with nominal mix
proportions to BS 5628: Part 3.
b) Sand for mortar:
i) All sand shall comply with, and be from one source, to BS EN 13139BS 1199 and BS
1200, unless specified otherwise. It shall be well graded from 5mm in accordance with
Table 1 therein.
ii) Where a range is specified (e.g. 1:1:5-6) the lower proportion for grade ‘g’ sands and
higher proportion for grade 's' sands shall be used.
iii) Marine sand shall not be used with sulphate resisting or super sulphated cement.
c) Portland cements shall conform to BS EN 197: Part 1. Unless otherwise stated the cement
shall be of Ordinary Portland Cement and be delivered in the original sealed bags of the
manufacturer or in acceptable bulk containers.
d) All cement used shall be obtained from a supplier capable of complying with the requirements
of the Specification.
e) Lime shall conform to BS EN 459: Part 1 and be hydrated lime Type (i), (ii) or (iii).
f) Any mortar plasticiser used shall be agreed with the Engineer prior to commencement of any
work, and used in the proportions recommended in writing by the manufacturer. Mortar mixes
shall also be altered in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendations. The
suitability of the mixture for use in any particular mortar shall be demonstrated.
g) Admixtures shall not be used in mortar unless agreed. Calcium chloride, or any admixtures
containing calcium chloride, shall not be used. Admixtures, if specified, shall be to BS EN 934:
Part 3.

Z21.2200 WORKMANSHIP
Z21.2201 General
a) Mixing plant, tools and banker boards shall be kept clean at all times.
b) Materials shall be measured accurately by volume using clean gauge boxes. Proportions of
mixes shall be for dry sand making allowance for bulking if it is damp.
c) Ingredients shall be mixed thoroughly to a consistency suitable for the work and free from
lumps. Mortars containing air-entraining admixtures shall be mixed by machine, but not
overmixed.
d) Retarded mortar shall be used within the time recommended in writing by the manufacturer
relative to the extreme temperatures that may be experienced on Site. Mortar shall be
retempered to restore workability, but only within these time limits.
e) The required amount of water shall be determined to achieve a workable mix.
f) If pre-mixed mortars are used, the characteristics, product data, and testing criteria shall be
submitted to the Engineer for review.

Z21.2300 TESTING
Z21.2301 Mortar Testing
a) Tests:
i) Testing of mortars shall be carried out in accordance with BS 5628: Part 1, BS 4551 and
BS EN 1015, or to equal standards acceptable to the Engineer.

Architectural Specification – Package 6: Main Z21/2 Foster and Partners

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ii) All testing shall be carried out by a UKAS accredited laboratory.

iii) Specimens for preliminary tests of the mortars shall be prepared at least six weeks in
advance of any walling commencing.
iv) All material sources shall be identified to the Engineer for acceptance prior to
commencement of preliminary tests.
v) Samples shall be taken at the point of mixing or use.
vi) Additional tests and sampling shall be performed if the mortar does not comply with the
Specification.
vii) Subject to the test results, the specified nominal mix proportions shall be adjusted and
tested.
viii) Half of the samples shall be tested at 7 days, the remainder at 28 days. The 28-day
crushing strength of the cubes shall not be less than 3.6N/mm² for the preliminary test
and 2.5N/mm² for the work test.
ix) Unless acceptance can be obtained to the contrary, the consistency of fresh mixed mortar
is the standard recommended in BS EN 1015: Part 4.
x) Tests for cement content shall be carried out using the Bremortest method described in
Building Research Establishment Information Paper 8/89, or other equivalent agreed with
the Engineer. Tests shall be instructed by the Engineer.
b) Testing Apparatus:
Ensure that on Site the following apparatus is maintained in good repair:
i) Maximum and minimum thermometers as and where required.
ii) Soil thermometers as required for measuring the mortar and ground temperatures.
iii) Apparatus for carrying out the test described in BS EN 932: Parts 1 and 6.
iv) Syphon can, Gammon Morgan or Speedy apparatus for measuring the moisture content
of aggregate.
v) Apparatus for carrying out the test described in BS EN 1015: Part 4.
vi) Apparatus for making mortar cubes or prisms in accordance with BS 4551.
vii) Apparatus for measuring the air content of the mortar in accordance with BS EN 1015:
Part 7.
c) Frequency of Testing: Cubes shall be prepared for each type of mortar and for each type of
brick/block walling or for every storey of the building, whichever is the more frequent. In any
event the minimum frequency of testing shall be no less than that required by BS 5628: Part 1
and BS EN 1052: Part 1.
d) Failure of mortars: Brick/Block walling containing mortar that does not comply with the
requirements of the Specification shall be demolished, debris carted away, and rebuilt.

Z21.2400 TRANSPORTATION, HANDLING AND STORAGE OF MATERIALS

Z21.2401 Storage of Materials
a) Cements and lime shall be stored off the ground, under cover, away from damp and in such a
manner as to enable them to be used in order of delivery.
b) Sands shall be stored separately, according to type, on clean, hard, dry standings and shall be
protected from contamination.
c) Pre-mix mortars, if used, shall be stored in accordance with the manufacturer's printed
instructions.

End of Section

Architectural Specification – Package 6: Main Z21/3 Foster and Partners

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vii) Finish to joints:

• Raked for render or plaster finish. Refer to Section M20 for render/plaster.
• Flush for plasterboard finish. Refer to Section K10 for plasterboard.
• Flush joint where final finish to be provided by others.
viii) Fire resistance: Provide fire resistant filler material and sealant to walls requiring to be fire
rated as Section F30 and to meet the fire ratings as applicable. Refer to the Fire Strategy
Drawings/Report.
c) Block manufacturer: The Contractor shall propose a suitable block product to meet the
requirements of the Specification.
d) Other requirements:
i) Provide reinforcement and mortar fill in cavity in accordance with the CMU Schedule for
connection to structural slab as required by the Structural Engineer’s documentation.
ii) Provide trough lintel ring beam with mortar fill and reinforcement as shown on the Design
Drawings.
iii) Fill block cavities with mortar including reinforcement to all openings, jambs and wall ends
as recommended by the block manufacturer as indicated on the Design Drawings.
iv) Fill block cavities with mortar including reinforcement where required to meet the
compressive strength requirements as recommended by the block manufacturer.
v) Provide concealed head restraint fixings and fill material to accommodate slab/beam
deflection as required. Refer to clause F10.3101.
vi) Provide precast concrete trough lintels with reinforcement and cavity fill as Section F30 or
precast concrete lintels as Section F31.

F10.2300 MORTARS
F10.2301 Mortar for Walling
In addition to the requirements of Section Z21 the following shall apply:
a) Block Mortar:
i) Generally: Select all mortar types to provide a compressive strength of 13.2 N/mm² to
comply with BS EN 998: Part 2 and the requirements of the Structural Engineer.
ii) Submit details of all mortar mixes for agreement with the CAEngineer.
b) Mortar to be colour matched with blockwork for all fair-faced work.
c) Sand for facework mortar shall be from one source to ensure consistency of colour and texture.
Submit samples of sand proposed in accordance with the requirements of the Specification
and identify:
i) Name of supplier.
ii) The pit the material came from.
iii) Sieve analysis.
iv) Maximum aggregate size: To be agreed with the CAEngineer.
d) Ready-mix mortar may be submitted as an alternative to that specified, subject to the
acceptance of the CAEngineer.

F10.3000 SITE INSTALLATION

F10.3100 INSTALLATION
F10.3101 Site Control
a) Site installation shall be carried out in accordance with BS 5628 and BS 8000: Part 3.
b) Materials shall be clean and built uniform and level within the tolerances specified.
c) Quoins and jambs shall be plumbed as the work proceeds. The head of all walls shall be laid

Architectural Specification – Package 6: Main F10/15 Foster + Partners

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