Packaged, dry, c ombined materials for 
mortar and  concrete  – Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE: This is a Draft Proposal and should not be regarded or used as a Malawi 
Standard  
__________________  
 Published by  
MALAWI STANDARDS BOARD  ICS 91.080.40.          DMS 1430 :2018 
First  edition  
 
 
 
 
 
DRAFT PROPOSAL  
 
 
 ICS 91.080.40          DMS 1430 :2018 
First edition  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Packaged, d ry, combined materials for 
mortar and  concrete  – Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obtainable from the  
Malawi Bureau of Standards  
P O Box 946  
BLANTYRE  
 
Tel: +265 1 870 48 8 
Fax: +265 1 870 756  
E-mail: mbs@mbsmw.org  
Website: www.mbsmw.org    
 
Price based on 7 pages  
© Copyright reserved  
    i TABLE OF CONTENTS  
 
Contents  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................   Page  
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................   i 
Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................   1 
Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................   1 
Ordering  information  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..  3 
Materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................   3 
Preparation  of aggregate  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................   3 
Proportioning  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............   3 
Physical  properties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....  3 
Packaging  and package marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............   4 
Rejection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................   4 
Sampling  and testing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .  4 
Accuracy  of measurement  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................   4 
Sampling  concrete  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .....  5 
Mixing  and testing concrete  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................   5 
Sampling  mortar  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........   6 
Mixing  and testing mortar  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................   6 
Keywords  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................   7 
 
 
FOREWORD  
 
This Draft Malawi Standard was prepared in order to come up with specifications for p ackaged, dry, 
combined materials for mortar and concrete . The materials include cement,  fine aggregate and coarse 
aggregate in correct proportion to be used by the ultimate consumer.  
 
The standard is based on an American Standard Testing Methods standard ASTM C   387/C 387M , Standard 
Specification for Packaged, Dry, Combined Materials for Mor tar and Concrete . 
 
Acknowledgement is made for the use of the above standard.  
 
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE  
 
This draft proposal was developed by the Technical Committee MBS/TC 9 Cement and lime products and 
the following companies and organisations  were represente d: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTICE  
 
This draft proposal shall be revised  every five years or earlier  when necessary in order to keep abreast of 
progress. Comments are welcome and shall be considered when the draft proposal  is being revised .   1 
 DMS 1430 :2018 
DRAFT PROPOSA L 
Dry, combined materials for mortar and  concrete  – 
Specification  
 
 
 
1 SCOPE  
 
1.1 This specification covers the production, properties,  packaging , and testing of packaged, dry, combined 
materials  for concrete and mortars. The types of concrete and mortar  covered are described in the following 
paragraphs in this  section. Some of the mixtures covered by this specification  may not be available in some 
areas.  
 
1.1.1  High-Early Strength Concrete  – For concrete building and repair jobs requiring a more rapid str ength 
development  such as required for the earlier removal of forms.  
 
1.1.2  Normal Strength Concrete : 
 
1.1.2.1  Normal Weight Concrete  – For general concrete building and repair jobs where thicknesses exceed 
50 mm. Typical uses include building or repairing  sidewalks,  patios, steps, footings, and for setting posts.  
 
1.1.2.2  Lightweight Concrete Using Normal Weight Sand  – For concrete building and repair jobs where lower 
concrete  weights are desirable. These mixtures will produce concrete  which is about 15 to  25 % lighter in 
weight than normal weight  concrete.  
 
1.1.2.3  Lightweight Concrete  – For concrete building and  repair jobs where the lightest concrete weight is 
desirable.  These mixtures will produce concrete which is about 25 to  35 % lighter in weight tha n normal 
weight concrete.  
 
1.1.3  High-Strength Mortar  – For general concrete work  requiring thicknesses of less than 50 mm [or where 
a high-strength grout mixture is required. Typical uses include  topping,  patching, and stuccoing. Often to as 
sand mix.  
 
1.1.4 Mortars for Unit Masonry  – For laying brick, block,  and stone, and for masonry repairs. The following 
three types  of masonry mortar are covered:  
 
1.1.4.1  Type N  – For general masonry work requiring normal  mortar properties.  
 
1.1.4.2  Type S  – For use wh ere a higher strength masonry  mortar is required.  
 
1.1.4.3  Type M  – For use where the highest strength masonry  mortar is required.  
 
1.2 The values stated in either SI or inch -pound units shall  be regarded sep arately as standard. The values 
stated in each  system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall  be used independently of the 
other. Combining values from the  two systems may result in non -conformance with the standard.  
 
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the  test meth od portion of this specification. This 
standard does not  purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated  with its use. It is the 
responsibility of the user of this standard  to establish appropriate safety and health practices and  determin e 
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to  use. 
 
 
2 NORMATIVE REFERENCES  
 
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this 
standard. All standards are subject to revision and, since  any reference to a standard is deemed to be a 
reference to the latest edition of that standard, parties to agreements based on this standard are encouraged 
to take steps to ensure the use of the most recent editions of the standards indicated below. Infor mation on 
currently valid national and international standards can be obtained from the Malawi Bureau of Standards.  2 
 Note  - For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at 
service@astm.org  . For Annual Book of ASTM  Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the 
ASTM website.  
 
C 33  Specification for Concrete Aggregates  (MS 842, Aggregates from natural sources – Aggregates for 
concrete)  
 
C 39/C 39M  Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical  Concrete Specimens  
 
C 91  Specification for Masonry Cement  (MS 414, Masonry cement (Without air entrainment agents)  
 
C 109/C 109M  Test Method for Compressive Strength of  Hydraulic Cemen t Mortars  (Using 2  in. or [50  mm] 
Cube  Specimens)  
 
C 138/C 138M  Test Method for Density (Unit Weight),  Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete  
 
C 143/C 143M  Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic - Cement Concrete  
 
C 144  Specification for Aggregate for  Masonry Mortar  
 
C 150  Specification for Portland Cement  (MS 29 , Cement – Specification ) 
 
C 173/C 173M  Test Method for Air Content of Freshly  Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method  
 
C 185  Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement  Mortar  
 
C 192/C 192 M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete  Test Specimens in the Laboratory  
 
C 207  Specification for Hydrated Lime for Masonry Purposes  (MS 85 -1, Limes for use in building – 
Specification – Part 1: Hydrated lime .) 
 
C 231  Test Method for Air Content of Fresh ly Mixed  Concrete by the Pressure Method  
 
C 260  Specification for Air -Entraining Admixtures for Concrete  
 
C 270  Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry  
 
C 305  Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement  Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency  
 
C 330 Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Structural  Concrete  
 
C 494/C 494M  Specification for Chemical Admixtures for  Concrete  
 
C 595  Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements  
 
C 618  Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined  Natural Pozz olan for Use in Concrete  
 
C 702  Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to  Testing Size  
 
C 989  Specification for Ground Granulated Blast -Furnace  Slag for Use in Concrete and Mortars  
 
C 1157  Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement  
 
C 1240  Specific ation for Silica Fume Used in Cementitious  Mixtures  
 
C 1329  Specification for Mortar Cement  
 
C 1437  Test Method for Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mortar  
 
C 1438  Specification for Latex and Powder Polymer Modifiers  for Hydraulic Cement Concrete and Mortar  
 
C 150 6 Test Method for Water Retention of Hydraulic  Cement -Based Mortars and Plasters  
 
E 96/E 96M  Test Methods for Water Vapo ur Transmission of  Materials  3 
 3 ORDERING INFORMATION  
 
The purchaser shall specify the material desired as  concrete, high strength mortar,  or mortar for use with unit  
masonry, and the respective physical requirements as specified  in Table 1  shall govern.  
 
 
4 MATERIALS  
 
4.1 Materials used as ingredients in packaged, dry, combined  materials for mortar and concrete shall 
conform to at  least one  of the following requirements:  
 
4.1.1  Aggregates , shall conform to Specification C 33 , Specification C 144 , or Specification C 330 . 
 
4.1.2  Air-Entraining Admixtures , shall conform to Specification  C 260 . 
 
4.1.3  Blended Cement , shall conform to Specificati on C 595  or Performance Specification C 1157 . 
 
4.1.4  Chemical Admixtures , shall conform to Specification  C 494/C 494M . 
 
4.1.5  Flyash , shall conform to Specification C 618 . 
 
4.1.6  Ground Granulated Blast -Furnace Slag , shall conform  to Specification C 989 . 
 
4.1.7  Hydrated Lime , shall conform to Type S or Type SA of  Specification C 207 . 
 
4.1.8  Latex and Powder Polymer Modifiers , shall conform  to Specification C 1438 . 
 
NOTE 1  – Type II latex polymers should not be used in applications that  may be more than supe rficially wet in service.  
 
4.1.9  Masonry Cement , shall conform to Specification C 91 . 
 
4.1.10  Mortar Cement , shall conform to Specification  C 1329 . 
 
4.1.11  Portland Cement , shall conform to Type I, IA, II,  IIA, III or IIIA of Specification C 150 . 
 
4.1.12  Silica Fume , shall conform to Specification C 1240 . 
 
 
5 PREPARATION OF AGGREGATE  
 
5.1 All aggregates shall be dried, without disintegration, to  a moisture content of less than 0.1 mass %, 
computed on  material dried substantially to constant mass % at 105 to  110 °C [221 to 230 °F].  
 
 
6 PROPORTIONING  
 
6.1 The proportions of cementitious material and aggregate  shall be such that the strength requirements will 
be met when  an amount of mixing water is used that produces for concrete  the slump specified in 12.2 and 
for mortar the flow specified in  14.2. 
 
 
7 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES  
 
Packaged, dry, combined materials for concrete, high  strength mortar,  and mortar for use with unit masonry 
shall conform to the respective physical requirements as given in  Table 1  for the m aterial specified when the 
prescribed amount  of water is added.  
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 TABLE 1 – Physical Requirements  
 
1 2 3 4 
Kind of Material  Compressive strength, MPa min.  
3 days  7 days  28 days  
CONCRETE  
High early strength  17.0 24.0 – 
Normal strength:  
Normal weig ht 
Lightweight using normal weight sandA 
Lightweight   
– 
 
  
17.0 
17.0 
17.0  
24.0 
24.0 
 
MORTAR  
High -strength mortar   20.0 35.0 
Mortar for unit masonry:  
Type M  
Type S  
Type N  Shall comply with property requirements of  
Specification C 270B 
 
A  Lightweight c oncrete using normal weight sand may contain some portion of lightweight fines.  
B  The performance requirements for 28 -day compressive strength, water retention, and air content are those for mortars 
made from masonry cement unless otherwise specified. Man ufacturers wishing to comply with the air content 
requirements for mortar -cement mortar or cement -lime mortar must specify the ingredients used and comply with the 
applicable portions of Specification C 270 . 
 
 
8 PACKAGING AND PACKAGE MARKING  
 
8.1 All pack ages shall be identified as conforming to Specification  C 387 , and as to kind and type of material 
listed in  Table 1  and the net mass in each bag printed thereon.  
 
8.2 The yield in litres , and the amount of  water recommended for mixing shall be marked on t he package.  
 
NOTE 2  – The amount of water recommended should be the amount  required to produce a slump of 50 to 75 m m [2 to 3 in]  
 
8.3 Container Construction  – The material from which the  containers are made shall have water 
vapour  transmission not  greater  than 100 g/m2 in 24 h as determined in accordance with Procedure B of Test 
Methods  E 96.  The strength of the  container shall be adequate for the mass of concrete or mortar  it is 
intended to contain.  
 
 
9 REJECTION  
 
The purchaser has the right to reject mat erial that fails to  conform to the requirements of this specification. 
Rejection  shall be reported to the Producer or supplier promptly and in  writing.  
 
 
SAMPLING AND TESTING  
 
10 ACCURACY OF MEASUREMENT  
 
10.1 Use scales conforming to the applicable section s of Handbook 441 New and reconditioned scales shall 
be accurate  to 60.1 % of the total capacity of the scale. When scales have  been in use, they shall be 
accurate to 60.4 % of the total  capacity of the scale.  
 
                                                 
1 Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements of Weighing and Measuring Devices, Handbook 44, National Bureau of 
Standards  5 
 10.2 Record the mass of concrete in kilograms  (pounds) to  a minimum accuracy of 0.05 kg [0.1 lb.]. Record 
the mass of  mortar in grams to an accuracy of within 1 g or 0.1%,  whichever is greater.  
 
11 SAMPLING CONCRETE  
 
11.1 Use a sufficient quantity of whole packages to conduct  all testing from a singl e batch.  
 
12 MIXING AND TESTING CONCRETE  
 
12.1 Determine the net mass of concrete in the package (or  packages), then empty into a clean, watertight 
container.  
 
12.2 Mix the concrete, determine the properties of the fresh  concrete, and mould  and cure the sp ecimens in 
accordance with  the applicable provisions of Practice C 192/C 192M , or modifications  of them as outlined 
herein. Test the strength of the  concrete in accordance with Test Method C 39/C 39M . 
 
12.3 Mix the entire sample of the combined, dry materi al for  concrete either by hand or by machine, except 
that hand mixing  is not applicable to air -entrained concrete. Add mixing water in  sufficient amount to  produce 
a slump of 50 to 75 mm.  
 
12.4 Use a watertight, clean metal container for hand  mixing, using  either a blunted bricklayer’s trowel, 
hands  protected by rubber gloves, or a shovel, whichever is more  convenient. Mix the dry batch until the 
materials appear to be  uniformly distributed. Add water while mixing until the concrete  is homogeneous in 
appear ance and has the desired slump.  If prolonged mixing is required because of the addition of  mixing 
water in increments while adjusting the slump, the  batch must be discarded and a new batch made without  
interrupting the mixing to make trial slump tests.  
 
12.5 Place  all  materials   in the mixer to be used for machine  mixing. A mixing period of 3 min followed by a 
3 min rest,  followed by 2  min final mixing is suggested, unless a different  procedure is better adapted to the 
mixer being used. Cover the  open end  of the mixer during the rest period to reduce  evaporation. Test the 
slump in accordance with Test Method  C 143/C 143M  upon completion of the mixing. If the slump  test of the 
mixed batch shows that additional water is required,  return the sample used for t he slump test promptly to 
the mixer,  add additional water, and remix the batch for 2 min. Retest the  slump. If the slump is not from 50 
to 75 mm [2 to 3 in.], discard  the batch.  
 
12.6 Discharge the mixed batch into a clean, watertight  container that has be en pre -dampened, then remix 
the batch by  hand, using a scoop or trowel, until the batch appears to be  uniform. Promptly determine the 
density in kilograms per  cubic meter (or pound per cubic foot) in accordance with Test  Method C 138/C 
138M . Return samples  used for the slump and  unit weight test to the container, then remix the batch by hand  
and mould  the specimens.  
 
12.7 Mould  six cylinders from each batch, using three  cylinders for test at 7 days and three at 28 days, 
except that in  the case of high early  strength concrete, three cylinders shall be  tested at 3 days and three at 
7 days. Compression test  specimens shall be cylindrical with a length equal to twice the  diameter. The 
minimum specimen diameter shall be 75 mm [3  in.], but the maximum diameter is not limited, provided the  
number of specimens for a test as required in this section are  mould ed from a single batch and the sample 
taken in accordance  with 11.1. For acceptance, the average of the strengths of the  three specimens tested at 
each age shall not be less than the  compressive strength required in Table 1  for the type of  concrete under 
test and no individual specimen shall have a  strength less than 90 % of the required strength.  
 
12.8 The report of the tests of the concrete shall include the  following:  
 
12.8.1  Net mass of dry, combined material in the bag or  bags determined by subtracting the mass of the 
empty bag or  bags from the gross mass of the package.  
 
12.8.2  Amount of mixing water ( W) calculated in terms of  kilograms (or pounds) per bag, ba sed on mass of 
the bag.   
 
 W = (Wb/A)B 
 
 
Wb = mass of water added to batch,  6 
 A = mass of dry material in batch, and  
 
B = printed mass of bag contents.  
 
12.8.3 Slump in millimetres (or inches) in accordance with  Test Method C 143/C 143M . 
 
12.8.4   Density  (D) in kilograms per cubic meter (or pounds  per cubic foot) in accordance with Test Method 
C 138/C 138M . 
 
12.8.5  Yield ( Y) of concrete as determined by Test Method  C 138/C 138M  in terms of litres (or cubic feet) per 
bag, based  on printed mass of bag contents . 
 
12.8.6  Air content, if required, shall be determined by one  of the following Test Methods: C 138/C 138M, C 
173/C 173M , (suggested for lightweight concrete); or C 231 . The method  used to determine the air content 
shall be reported.  
 
12.8.7  Compressive st rength at the ages specified in Table 1 ; report the method of mixing the concrete. 
State the size of the  cylinder used in the report.  
 
 
13 SAMPLING MORTAR  
 
The contents of an entire package of dry, combined  material for mortar for unit masonry or for concr ete 
mortar  shall be used as a sample. Determine the gross mass of the  package and contents to the nearest 
0.05 kg. Empty the  entire contents of the package into a clean, watertight container.  Determine the mass of 
the empty package and calculate  the net ma ss of the package from the gross mass of the package  and 
contents. Reduce the sample to the proper size for testing  in accordance with Practice C 702 . 
 
 
14 MIXING AND TESTING MORTAR  
 
14.1 Mortar mixing equipment shall be as specified in  Practice C 305 , exc ept that the mixer must be provided 
with a  bowl positioning adapter ( Note 3 ) to ensure clearance for the  largest size aggregate in the mix being 
tested. The mixing  procedure shall be modified as given in 14.2. 
 
NOTE 3  – Description of such an adapter may b e obtained from the  Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory of the National 
Institute of  Standards Technology.  
 
14.2 Mix 3000 ± 3 g of mortar in accordance  with Practice C 305  with the exception that the combined  
material is added at the time of cement ad dition in  Practice C 305 . Additional water may be added in the final 
mix period to adjust the flow. Determine the flow in accordance  with Test Method C 1437 . Use sufficient 
water to produce a  flow of 110 ± 5 %. 
 
14.3 Compressive Strength  – Specimens shall be 50  mm cubes mould ed, cured, and tested in accordance 
with procedures in Specification C 270  for mortars for unit masonry  and  in  accordance  with  Test  Method 
C 109/C 109M  for high  strength  mortars.  
 
14.4 Density and Yield  – Determination of density o f the mixed mortar and yield per package of mortar.  
 
14.4.1  Vigorously remix the remaining mortar by hand for  10 s using a spoon. Consolidate the mortar into a 
400-mL measure in accordance with Test Method C 185 . 
 
14.4.2  Determine the net mass (M) of the m ortar in the  400 mL measure to the nearest 1 g.  
 
14.4.3  Calculate the density of the mortar in kilograms per  cubic metre (or pounds per cubic foot) using the 
equations:  
 
 Dk = 5 2. M or (Dp = 0.156 M)   (1) 
 
where:  
 
Dk = density in kilograms per cubic metre  
 7 
 Dp = density in pounds per cubic foot  
 
14.4.4 Calculate the yield (Y) per package in litres (cubic  feet) as follows:  
 
 Y = (1 + R)PC/D    (2) 
 
where:  
 
R = ratio of mass (or weight) of mixing water to mass (or  weight) of dry combined material in the batch  of 
mortar.  
 
P = the net mass (or weight) printed on the package.  
 
C = Conversion factor. To determine the yield in litres, P  must be in kilograms per cubic metre. The 
conversion  factor is 1000.  
 
14.5 Water Retention  – For mortars for unit masonry, determ ine the water retention in accordance with Test 
Method  C 1506 . 
 
14.6 Air Content (required for mortars for unit masonry and  optional for high -strength mortars)  – If the 
mixture proportions  are known, calculate the air content in accordance with  Specificati on C 270 . If the 
proportions are not known, use Test  Method C 138/C 138M , or Test Method C 173/C 173M , or Test  Method 
C 231  to determine air content.  
 
14.7 The report of the tests shall include:  
 
14.7.1  Net mass (or weight) of dry, combined material in the  bag determined to 0.05 kg [0.1 lb],  
 
14.7.2  Amount of mixing water ( W) calculated in accordance  with the formula specified in 12.8.2 , 
 
14.7.3  Flow, in accordance with Test Method C 1437 , 
 
14.7.4  Density (D) in kilograms per cubic metre (or pounds  per cubi c foot) as determined in 14.4 in 
accordance with Test  Method C 138/C 138M , 
 
14.7.5  Yield ( Y) of mortar in litres (or cubic feet) as  determined in 14.4, 
 
14.7.6  Air content, if measured, and test method used to  determine air content,  
 
14.7.7  Water retention  in per cent , if measured, and  
 
14.7.8  Compressive strength at ages specified in Table 1 . 
 
 
15 KEYWORDS  
 
15.1 aggregate -cement aggregate combinations; cement  mortars; combined concrete/mortar materials; 
concrete admixtures;  concrete, packaged; concrete spe cifications; dry combined  concrete/mortar materials; 
mortar -cement mortar; mortar,  packaged; packaged dry combined materials; packaged  concrete/mortar 
materials   
  
  
  
ICS 71.060.20             DMS 1430 :2017 8 
First  edition  
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE MALAWI BUREAU OF STAND ARDS  
The Malawi Bureau of Standards is the 
standardizing body in Malawi under the aegis 
of the Ministry of Industry and Trade . Set up in 
1972 by the Malawi Bureau of Standards Act 
(Cap: 51:02), the Bureau is a parastatal body 
whose activities aim at formu lating and 
promoting the general adoption of standards 
relating to structures, commodities, materials, 
practices, operations and from time to time 
revise, alter and amend the same to 
incorporate advanced technology.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION MARK S CHEME  
To bring the advantages of standardization 
within the reach of the common consumer, the 
Bureau operates a Certification Mark Scheme. 
Under this scheme, manufacturers who 
produce goods that conform to national 
standards are granted permits to use the 
Bureau’s “Mark of Quality” de picted below on 
their products.  This Mark gives confidence to 
the consumer of the commodity’s reliability.