The Ontario Building Code | Mortar and Grout Mixes

9.20.3.2. mortar and Grout Mixes

(1) mortar types shall conform to Table 9.20.3.2.A.

(2) mortar for glass block masonry shall be,

(a) Type S Portland cement-lime where exposed to the exterior, or

(b) Type S or N where protected from the exterior.

(3) mortar mix proportions shall conform to Table 9.20.3.2.B., with sufficient water to bring the mixture to a consistency adequate for laying masonry units.

(4) Grout mix proportions shall conform to Table 9.20.3.2.C., with sufficient water to provide a suitable flow to fill all voids completely, without excessive segregation or bleeding.

(5) Except as provided in Sentence (6), mortar shall be used and placed in final position,

(a) within 1.5 h after mixing when the air temperature is 25°C or higher, and

(b) within 2.5 h after mixing when the air temperature is less than 25°C.

(6) mortar and grout containing a set-control admixture shall be manufactured off-site in a batching plant and shall be used and placed in final position within a time not exceeding the useful life as stipulated by the manufacturer.

(7) Grout used for reinforced masonry shall be placed in accordance with the requirements of CAN/CSA-A371, "masonry Construction for buildings".

Table 9.20.3.2.A.
mortar Use

Forming Part of Sentence 9.20.3.2.(1)

Item	Column 1 Location	Column 2 Building Element	Column 3 Mortar Type
1.	Exterior, above ground	Loadbearing walls and columns	S
		Non-loadbearing walls and columns	N or S
		Parapets, chimneys and masonry veneer	N or S
2.	Exterior, at or below ground	Foundation walls and chimneys	S
3.	Interior	Loadbearing walls and columns	N
		Non-loadbearing walls and columns	N

Table 9.20.3.2.B.
Mortar Mix Proportions (by Volume)

Forming Part of Sentence 9.20.3.2.(3)

Item	Column 1 Mortar Type	Column 2 Portland Cement	Column 3 Lime	Column 4 Masonry Cement Type N	Column 5 Masonry Cement Type S	Column 6 Fine Aggregate (damp, loose-state sand)
1.	S	1	½	-	-	3½ to 4½
		-	-	-	1	2¼ to 3
		½	-	1	-	3½ to 4½
2.	N	1	1	-	-	4½ to 6
		-	-	1	-	2¼ to 3

Table 9.20.3.2.C.
Grout Mix Proportions (by Volume)

Forming Part of Sentence 9.20.3.2.(4)

Column 1 Portland Cement	Column 2 Lime	Column 3 Fine Aggregate (sand)	Column 4 Coarse Aggregate
1	0 to 1/10	2¼ to 3 times the sum of the cement and lime volumes	1 to 2 times the sum of the cement and lime volumes

9.20.4. Mortar Joints