Water Transport Characteristics of Masonry Restoration Mortars (2004-26)

The Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute received funding from the National Center for Preservation Training and Technology grant # MT-2210-04-NC-06 for research to assist in the development of a new ASTM specification for historic mortar. Atkinson-Noland’s particular focus in this project was to investigate test methods for determining water vapor transmission (WVT) rates in mortar and to assign appropriate WVT rates for specific hydraulic and non-hydraulic restoration mortars.

After review by ASTM, it is intended that the recommendations resulting from this research will be considered for inclusion in the new ASTM specification for mortars for historic masonry. Seven mortar types were tested in this research program in a 1-part binder to 3 part sand ratio.