EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 1015-12

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM February 2000

ICS 91.100.10

English version

Methods of test for mortar for masonry - Part 12: Determination

of adhesive strength of hardened rendering and plastering
mortars on substrates

Méthodes d'essai des mortiers pour maçonnerie - Partie Prüfverfahren für Mörtel für Mauerwerk - Teil 12:
12: Détermination de l'adhérence des mortiers d'enduit Bestimmung der Haftfestigkeit von erhärteten Putzmörteln
durcis appliqués sur supports

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 24 December 1999.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2000 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 1015-12:2000 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
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EN 1015-12:2000

Contents Page

Foreword .....................................................................................................................................................3

1 Scope........................................................................................................................................................4

2 Normative references ...............................................................................................................................4

3 Principle ...................................................................................................................................................4

4 Symbols....................................................................................................................................................4

5 Apparatus .................................................................................................................................................5

6 Sampling and sample preparation............................................................................................................6

7 Preparation and storage of test specimens ...............................................................................................7

8 Procedure .................................................................................................................................................8

9 Expression of results................................................................................................................................9

10 Test report ..............................................................................................................................................10

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EN 1015-12:2000

Foreword

This European Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 125 "Masonry", the
secretariat of which is held by BSI.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by August 2000, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by December 2001.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
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EN 1015-12:2000

1 Scope

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the adhesive strength between rendering
and plastering mortars and a substrate.

2 Normative references

This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications.
These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to
this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the
latest edition of the publication referred to applies.

prEN 772-11 Methods of test for masonry units - Part 11 : Determination of water absorption of
clay, aggregate concrete, autoclaved aerated concrete, manufactured stone and
natural stone masonry units due to capillary action

prEN 998-1 Specification for mortar for masonry - Part 1 : Rendering and plastering mortar with
inorganic binding agents

prEN 998-2 Specification for mortar for masonry - Part 2 : Masonry mortar

EN 1015-2 Methods of test for mortar for masonry - Part 2 : Bulk sampling of mortars and
preparation of test mortars

EN 1015-3 Methods of test for mortars for masonry - Part 3 : Determination of consistence of
fresh mortar (by flow table)

prEN 1015-11 Methods of test for mortars for masonry - Part 11: Determination of flexural and
compressive strength of hardened mortar

3 Principle

The adhesive strength is determined as the maximum tensile stress applied by a direct load perpendicular to
the surface of the rendering or plastering mortar on a substrate. The tensile load is applied by means of a
defined pull-head plate glued to the test area of the mortar surface. The adhesive strength obtained is the
quotient between the failure load and the test area.

4 Symbols

fu is the adhesive strength, (N/mm2);

Fu is the failure load, (N);

A is the test area of cylindrical specimen, (mm2).

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EN 1015-12:2000

5 Apparatus

5.1 Truncated conical rings, (see figure 1) made of stainless steel or brass, with internal diameter of 50 mm
± 0,1 mm and 25 mm ± 0,5 mm in height. The minimum thickness of the mould wall shall be 5,0 mm at the
top. The external diameter at the base shall be 51 mm ± 0,1 mm.

5.2 Circular pull-head plates, made of stainless steel, with diameter of 50 mm ± 0,1 mm and minimum
thickness 10 mm, and with central fitting for connection to the direct pull tensile force apparatus.

Dimensions in millimetres

Ø 60 ± 0,1

,
,


Ø 50 ± 0,1

25 ± 0,5
15 ± 0,5

Ø 51 ± 0,1

Figure 1 - Sharp-edged, truncated conical ring

5.3 Adhesive based on resin, e.g. epoxy resin or methylmethacrylate resin.

5.4 Core drilling machine, with core drill of nominally 50 mm internal diameter, suitable to cut core
samples from hardened mortars and substrates.

5.5 Testing machine for direct pull tensile force test and with suitable capacity and sensitivity for the test as
specified in clause 8. It shall be capable of applying the load to the pull-head plate through a suitable fitting
that excludes any bending forces. The machine shall comply with the requirements in table 1.

5.6 Storage chamber, capable of maintaining a temperature of 20
C ± 2
C and at a relative humidity of 65

% ± 5 %.
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EN 1015-12:2000

Table 1 - Requirements for testing machine

Maximum permissible Maximum permissible mean Maximum permissible error of

repeatability of forces as error of forces as percentage of zero force as percentage of
percentage of nominal force nominal force maximum force of range
% % %
2,0 ± 2,0 ± 0,4

6 Sampling and sample preparation

6.1 General

The fresh mortar for this test shall have a minimum volume of 1,5 l or at least 1,5 times the quantity needed
to perform the test, whichever is the greater, and shall either be obtained by reduction of the bulk test sample
(see EN 1015-2) using a sample divider or by quartering or by preparation from water and the other
constituents in the laboratory. Two test samples shall be prepared.

6.2 Laboratory prepared mortars

The length of mixing period shall be measured from the moment all the constituents are introduced into the
mixer.

The mortar shall be brought to a defined flow value as specified in EN 1015-2 determined in accordance with
EN 1015-3 and reported. The test procedure shall not start until at least 10 min after completion of mixing
and shall be concluded within the specified workable life of the mortar (preferably within 30 min after
completion of mixing), unless otherwise instructed by the manufacturer.

6.3 Mortars, other than laboratory prepared mortars

Ready to use mortars (factory-made wet mortars which are retarded), and pre-batched air-lime/sand wet
mortars when not gauged with hydraulic binders, shall be used for specimen preparation within their
specified workable life.

Before testing, the batch shall be gently stirred by hand using a trowel or palette knife for 5 - 10 seconds to
counteract any false setting etc., but without any additional mixing of the batch.

The flow value of the mortar in the bulk test sample shall determined in accordance with
EN 1015-3 and reported.
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EN 1015-12:2000
7 Preparation and storage of test specimens

7.1 Substrate

For rendering or plastering systems manufactured for a specific background, i.e. clay or calcium silicate
masonry units, concrete masonry units, panels or cast in situ concrete, etc., these materials, in an air-dried
condition, should be used as test substrates. The water absorption due to capillary action of the units used in
the substrate shall be recorded, if known, or tested in accordance with prEN 772-11 where appropriate.

Where no specific background is prescribed rectangular concrete panels shall be used as substrate, with
dimensions not less than 550 mm x 150 mm and 50 mm in thickness. The concrete shall be mixed with a
water/cement ratio of 0,55 and using normal graded aggregates with maximum particle size of one third of
the concrete panel thickness. The upper surface of the moulded substrate shall be levelled and wood-floated
to achieve a suitable surface. Within a period of 6h to 24h lightly brush the surface.

The concrete panels shall have an age of not less than 28 d when applying the plastering or rendering system,
the panels being cured under standardized conditions as described in prEN 1015-11

Note: Concrete panels as a substrate will normally give conservative adhesive strength values.

7.2 Application

The fresh mortar mix shall be applied to the prescribed substrate according to the manufacturers
recommendations and the intended use. The substrate shall be kept vertical during application. Unless
otherwise specified the total thickness of the mortar layer shall be 10 mm ± 1 mm.

7.3 Test areas

7.3.1 General

Circular test areas of approximately 50 mm in diameter shall be cut through the mortar layer, either in the
fresh mortar according to 7.3.2 or in the hardened mortar according to 7.3.3. The diameter of the circular test
area shall be recorded for each specimen. Five test specimens shall be provided.

7.3.2 Fresh mortar

After application and the initial setting of the mortar layer, the truncated conical rings (5.1), cleaned and
lubricated with a thin layer of mineral oil, shall be pressed with their sharp edge, slightly rotating, through the
fresh mortar layer until full contact with the substrate is reached. The minimum distance between the rings
and the free edges of the rendered substrate, and the free distance between the individual rings, shall be 50
mm.

The rings shall be carefully removed, still slightly rotating, when the substrate is reached. If it is obvious that
the adhesion of any of the cut specimens is disturbed during this preparation, another test specimen shall be
cut. The specimen shall then be stored as given in 7.4.
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EN 1015-12:2000

7.3.3 Hardened mortars

After curing of the rendering or plastering mortar, test specimens shall be cut using a core drilling machine
(5.4). The core shall be cut to a depth of approximately 2 mm into the substrate. Damaged specimens shall be
rejected.

7.4 Storage and curing conditions

When the mortar is sufficiently hard, the rendered specimens shall be enclosed within a sealed, air-tight
polyethylene bag and at a temperature of 20
C ± 2
C for 7 d. The specimens shall subsequently be removed
and stored in air (5.6) at a constant temperature of 20
C ± 2
C and at a relative humidity of 65 % ± 5 % for
a further 21 d.

8 Procedure

Glue the pull-heads with the adhesive centrally on the test areas, preventing any excess adhesive from
bridging the cut around the test areas.

Test the specimens at an age of 28 d immediately after being removed from the storing atmosphere.

Using the testing machine (5.5), apply the tensile load perpendicular to the test area through the pull-head
plates (5.2). Apply the load without shock and at a uniform rate. Use a rate such that the stress increases
within the range of 0,003 N/(mm2s) to 0,100 N/(mm2s) according to the expected adhesive strength and so
that failure occurs between 20 s and 60 s (see table 2). Record the failure load. Reject any test where the
mode of failure is fracture at the adhesive layer between the pull-head plate and the mortar.

Table 2 - Loading rate.

Expected adhesive Loading rate
strength
(N/mm2) (N/mm2s)
< 0,2 0,003-0,010
0,2 - 0,5 0,011 - 0,025
0,5 - 1,0 0,026 - 0,050
> 1,0 0,050-0,100
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EN 1015-12:2000

9 Expression of results

9.1 Adhesive strength

Calculate the individual adhesive strengths from the following formula to the nearest 0,05 N/mm2 :

Fu
fu =
A

Calculate the adhesive strength as the mean value from the individual values of the 5 specimens to the nearest
0,1 N/mm2.

Possible fracture patterns leading to valid results are given in figures 2 to 4 inclusive. Where fracture patterns
occur as shown in figures 3 and 4 i.e. where there is no failure at the mortar/substrate interface, results shall





 ,,
 
be considered as lower bound values. These values shall be valid for calculation of the mean value of
adhesive strength.




,,

2

Key

,,
1 Pull-head plate
2 Adhesive layer
3 Mortar
4 Substrate

,,

Figure 2 - Fracture pattern a - Adhesion fracture - Fracture at the interface between mortar and
substrate. Test value equals the adhesive strength.






 
,,

Figure 3 - Fracture pattern b - Cohesion fracture - Fracture in the mortar itself. The adhesive strength
is greater than the test value
 ,,
,



 ,

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EN 1015-12:2000


,,



Figure 4 - Fracture pattern c - Cohesion fracture - Fracture in the substrate material. The adhesive
strength is greater than the test value.

10 Test report

The test report shall provide the following information:

a) the number, title and date of issue of this European Standard;

b) the place, date and time of taking the bulk test sample;

c) the method used for taking the bulk test sample (if known) and the name of the organization that
took it;

d) the type, origin and designation of the mortar by reference to the relevant part of
prEN 998;

e) preparation method;

f) the type and description of the substrate including the coefficient of water absorption due to
capillary action of masonry units (where relevant) comprising the substrate;

g) any specialised treatment of the substrate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;

h) the date and time of testing;

i) flow value of test mortar determined in accordance with EN 1015-3;

j) details of test specimens including number, dimensions etc., if appropriate;

k) individual values of adhesive strength rounded to the nearest 0,05 N/mm2 and the mean value
rounded to the nearest 0,1 N/mm2 and description of mode of failure by reference to figures 2 to 4
inclusive;

l) remarks, if any.