ICS 91.080.30   
 
Reference number  
DRS  211-4: 2010 
© RSB 2021  
  
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS  
211-4  
 
First edition  
2010 -03-18 
Reaffirmed 2021 -mm-dd 
Mortar for masonry — Test method s —  
Part 4:  
Determination of consistence of fresh 
mortar (by plunger penetration ) 
   
DRS 211-4: 2010 
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  ii 
 In order to match with technological development and to keep continuous progress in industries, 
standards are subject to periodic review. Users shall ascertain that they are in possession of the latest 
edition  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© RSB 2021  
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized 
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without 
prior written permission from R SB. 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to : 
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E-mail: info@rsb.gov.rw  
Website: www.rsb.gov.rw  
ePortal: www.portal.rsb.gov.rw   DRS 211-4: 2010 
iii                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  iv 
Introduction  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  vi 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  1 
4 Principle  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  1 
5 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 1 
6 Sampling, preparatio n and storage of test samples  ................................ ................................ . 2 
7 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 2 
8 Calculation and expression of results  ................................ ................................ .......................  2 
9 Test report  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 4 
 DRS 211-4: 2010 
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  iv 
 Foreword  
Rwanda Standard s are prepared  by Technical Committees and approved by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) 
Board  of Directors in  accordance with the procedures of RSB, in compliance with Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT 
agreement on the preparation, adoption and application of standards.  
The main task of technical committees is to prepare national standards.  Final Draft Rwanda S tandards adop ted 
by technical  committ ees are ratified  by me mbers of RSB Board of Director s for publication and gazettment as 
Rwanda Standards.  
DRS 211-4 was prepared by Technical Committee RSB/TC 009, Civil engineering and building materials . 
In the preparation of this  standard, reference was made to the following standard s: 
1) BS EN 1015 -2, Methods of test for mortar for masonry – Part 2: Bulk sampling of mortars and preparation 
of test mortars  
2) BS EN 1015 -3, Methods of test for mortar for masonry – Part 3: Determination of consistence of fresh mortar 
(by flow table)  
The assistance de rived f rom the above source is hereby acknowledged with thanks.  
DRS 211 consists of the following parts, under the general title Mortar for masonry  — Test method s: 
⎯ Part 1: Determination of particle size distribution (by sieve analysis)  
⎯ Part 2: Bulk sampling of m ortars and preparation of test mortars  
⎯ Part 3: Determination of consistence of fresh mortar (by flow table)  
⎯ Part 4: Determination of consistence of fresh mortar (by plunger penetration)  
⎯ Part 5: Determination of flexural and compressive strength of harden ed mortar  
⎯ Part 6: Determination of adhesive strength of hardened rendering and plastering mortars on substrates  
⎯ Part 7: Determination of water absorption coefficient due to capillary action of hardened mortar  
 
 
 
 DRS 211-4: 2010 
v                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Committee membership  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee on Building materials and civil 
engineering  (RSB/TC 009)  in the preparation of this standard.  
Adavanced Construction Technology Services - Rwanda (ACTS)  - RWANDA  
CIMERWA   
City of Kigal i  
Green Pact Africa   
Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA)  
RTDA   
Standard Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Ltd (STAGECO Ltd)  
SJEC Ltd  - Nyamirambo   
UR-CST  
Rwanda  Standards Board  (RSB) – Secretariat  
  DRS 211-4: 2010 
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  vi 
  
Introduction  
Fresh mortar is brought to a defined level of consistence as measured using the plunger penetration rod prior 
to the assessment of those properties which are used to characterize it.  
Consistence is a measure of the fluidity and and/or wetnes s of the fresh mortar and gives a measure of the 
deformability of the fresh mortar when subjected to a certain type of stress. The consistence however is not 
directly associated with the manner in which the fresh mortar handles when used by a craftsman.  
Normally there will be a linear correlation between the plunger penetration value, measured according to this 
test method, and the flow value measured in accordance with DRS  211-3, for the same type of mortar with 
increasing water content, but the slope wil l differ with different types of mortars.  DRS 211-4: 2010  
1                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Mortar for masonry — Test method s — Part 4: Determination of 
consistence of fresh mortar (by plunger penetration )  
1 Scope  
This Draft Rwanda Standard provides  a method for determining the consistence of freshly mixed mortars (in the 
following briefly referred to as fresh mortars) including those co ntaining mineral binders and both dense and 
lightweight aggregates, which is by means of the plunger penetration value.  
2 Normative references  
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of  their content constitutes 
requirements of this document.  For dated references, only the edition  cited applies. For undated references, the 
latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
RS 108, Mortar for masonry — Specification  
DRS 211-1, Mortar for masonry − Test method s – Part 1, Determination of particle size distribution (by sieve 
analysis)  
DRS 211-2, Mortar for masonry – Test method s – Part 2: Sampling of mortars and preparation of test mortars.    
3 Terms and definitions  
No terms and definitions are listed in this document  
4 Principle  
The plunger penetration value of a defined sample of fresh mortar is measured by the vertical penetration of a 
defined plunger rod which has been allowed to fall freely through a given height into the fresh  mortar sample.  
5 Apparatus  
5.1 Plunger apparatus ; Conforming to Figure 1, and consisting of the following parts: Plunger standard, with 
the base plate (A), frame, clamp with guide bushes (B) and fixing screw (C). Cylindrical vessel, (D) secured 
centrally in a positioning recess. Penetration rod, (E) with an upper scale and having a plastics plunger (F) of 
circular cross -section at the base and with a hemispherical lower end of the same diameter. The total mass of 
the penetration rod and plunger is 90 g + 2 g. The penetration rod is fixed in an initial position 100 mm above 
the mortar surface, measured from the lower, hemispherical end of the plunger . 
 5.2 Tamper ; consisting of a rigid, non -absorptive rod of circular cross -section, approximately 40 mm in 
diameter and approximately 200 mm long. The tamping face is flat and at right angles to the length of the 
tamper. The mass of the tamper is 0.250 kg + 0.015 kg.  
5.3  Tower   
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  2 
 5.4  Palette knife  
6 Sampling, preparation and storage of test samples  
The fresh mort ar for this test shall have a minimum volume of 1.5 L and shall be obtained by reduction 
of the bulk test sample in accordance with  DRS 211-2, using a sample divider or by quartering. Ready 
to use mortars (plant -made wet mortars which are retarded), and pr e-batched air -lime/sand wet 
mortars when not gauged with hydraulic binders, shall be tested within their specified workable life. 
Mortars that are made from dry constituents and water shall be mixed in accordance with DRS 211-1 
unless otherwise specified. The length of mixing period shall be measured from the moment all the 
constituents are introduced into the mixer. Before testing, the batch shall be gently stirred by hand 
using a trowel ( 5.3) or palette knife ( 5.4) in 5 - 10 sec to counteract any false se tting etc, but without 
any additional mixing of the batch. Any deviation from the mixing procedure shall be noted. Two test 
samples shall be tested.  
7 Procedure  
Using the fixing screw [ 5.1 (C)], secure the penetration rod ( 5.1 (E) in its initial position. Wipe the 
plunger ( 5.1 (F) clean with a damp cloth and dry before use. Fill the vessel [ 5.1 (D)] with mortar in two 
layers, each layer being compacted by 10 short strokes of the tamper ( 5.2), to ensure uniform filling of 
the vessel. Skin off the excess mortar with a palette knife leaving the mortar surface plane and level 
with the top rim of the vessel. Do not trowel further. Place the filled vessel on the base plate [( 5.1 (A)] 
and release the fixing screw, allowing the plunger to fall freely, sta rting from its initial position. 
Determine the penetration of the plunger into the mortar by reading the scale on the lower side of the 
upper guide bush [( 5.1 (B)] to the nearest mm.  
8 Calculation and expression of results  
Calculate the mean value of the plunger penetration from the individual values for each mortar test 
sample, to the nearest mm. If the two individual values deviate from their mean value by less than 
10 % use this mean value as the plunger penetration value  of the mortar. If the two individual plunger 
penetration values deviate from their mean value by more than 10 % repeat the test using further 
mortar from the reduced bulk test sample (see clause 5) and if the results deviate from their mean 
value by less than 10 % use the mean value from the repeat test as the plunger penetration value of 
the mortar. If the results differ by more than 10 % consider the measurements unsatisfactory and take 
fresh test samples from the bulk test sample or laboratory prepared mortar and repeat the test.  
Dimensions in millimetres  DRS 211-4: 2010  
3                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
   
Figure 1 — Plunger apparatus  
Key  
1 Cylindrical vessel  
2 Base plate  
3 Plastic plunger  
4 Frame  
5 Clamp  
 
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  4 
 6 Guide bush  
7 Fixing screw  
8 Penetration rod  
9 Test report  
The test report shall inclu de the following information:  
a) the place, date and time of taking the bulk test sample;  
b) the method used for taking the bulk test sample (if known) and the name of the organization that took it;  
c) the type, origin and designation of the mortar by reference to RS 108;  
d) preparation (mixing, casting) and storage (curing) conditions;  
e) the date and time of preparing test samples for test (i.e. date and time of any mixing, casting, moulding, 
or demoulding procedure, if appropriate);  
f) the date and time of testing;  
g) test results (individual measurements and the plunger penetration values in mm for each test sample); 
and  
h) remarks if any.  
NOTE  This is the sample taken from the bulk supply that is to be used for all of the tests in DRS  211.  
 DRS 211-4: 2010  
 
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