MORTAR

B.ARCH 1ST SEMESTER . BUILDING

MATERIALS - I
MORTAR
Mortaris a workable paste used to bind
construction blocks together and fill the gaps
between them. The word comes from
Latinmoratoriummeaningcrushed.
Mortar may be used to bindmasonryblocks
ofstone,brick,etc.
Mortar becomes hard when it sets, resulting in a
rigidaggregatestructure.
Mortar can also be used to fix, orpoint, masonry
when the original mortar has washed away
 MORTAR
Mortars are usually named according to the binding
material used in their preparation.
They are essentially required for masonry work,
plastering and pointing etc.

FUNCTIONS OF MORTAR:

To bind together the bricks or stones properly so as to

provide strength to the structure.
To form a homogenous mass of the structure so as to
resist all the loads coming over it without
disintegration.
Composition of Mortar
Modern mortars are typically made from a
mixture of
sand,
a binder such ascementorlime, and
water.
An ideal mortar:
Adheres completely and durably to all the
masonry unit to provide stability.
Remains workable long enough to enable the
operative to set the masonry unit right to line and
level; this implies good water retentivity.
Stiffens sufficiently quickly to permit the laying
of the units to proceed smoothly, and provides
rapid development of strength and adequate
strength when hardened.
Is resistant to the action of environmental factors
such as frost and/or abrasion and the destructive
effects of chemical salts such as sulfate attack.
Resists the penetration of rain.
Accommodates movement of the structure.
Accommodates irregularities in size of masonry
units.
Contributes to the overall aesthetic appearance.
Is cost effective
Mortar as Binding Material Plastering

Pointing Masonry joint Cement Slurry

Nature of application

Brick Laying Mortars Finishing

Mortars
PROPERTIES
Workability
Workability may be defined as the behavior of a
mix in respect of all the properties required,
during application, subsequent working and
finishing.
Ease of use, i.e. the way it adheres or slides on
the trowel.
Ease of spread on the masonry unit.
Ease of extrusion between courses without
excessive dropping or smearing.
Ease of positioning of the masonry unit without
movement due to its own weight and the weight
of additional courses
 Water Retentivity & Air
content

This is the property of mortar that resists

water loss by absorption into the masonry
units (suction) and to the air, in conditions of
varying temperature, wind and humidity.
Water retentivity is related to workability.
The air content of the mortar in its plastic
state is also important. In order to achieve
good durability it is necessary that there is
sufficient air content (entrained air) to
enable freeze-thaw cycles to be resisted
without disrupting the matrix of the material.
 Stiffening and hardening

The progression of stiffening, defined in the

European Standard as workable life, refers
to the gradual change from fresh or plastic
mortar to setting or set mortar.
Hardening refers to the subsequent process
whereby the set mortar progressively
develops strength.
 Properties of hardened
mortar
Durability of mortar
may be defined as its
ability to endure
aggressive conditions
during its design life. A
number of potentially
destructive influences
may interact with the
mortar: these include
water, frost, soluble
salts and temperature
change. In general, as
the cement content
increases so will
durability. Air
entrainment of mortars
improves resistance to
freeze-thaw damage.
Compressive strength
The use of too much cement will
produce a more rigid mortar, which
may result in vertical cracking
passing through units and mortar
joints as stresses are imposed

Use of the appropriate mortar

should not result in cracking, but
any that does occur, (e.g. due to
movement), will tend to follow the
joints, which will be much easier to
repair
Flexural strength
Traditional masonry
construction tended to be
massive relative to modern
structures, typically with very
thick walls. This meant that
the mass or bulk generally
resisted the various forces
applied to it.
The development of modern
masonry units and advances
in mortar technology have led
to more slender structures
which are more vulnerable to
lateral forces e.g. wind loads.
MIXING THE MORTAR:

The sand and the

cement have to be
thoroughly mixed by
hand or in a mechanical
mixer before adding any
water - do not use dirty
water, or water from
puddles or ponds, as this
could impair the final
strength of the mortar.

Similarly, keep any

sugar-containing liquids,
such as soft drinks, well
away from the mix -
Types of Mortars
Mortars are classified on the basis of
the following

BULK DENSITY
KIND OF BINDING MATERIAL
NATURE OF APPLICATION
SPECIAL REQIREMENTS
By Bulk Density
According to the bulk density of
mortar in dry state , there are two
types of mortars.
Heavy Mortar -
Bulk Density =/> 1500 kg/m3

Lightweight Mortar -
Bulk Density < 1500 kg/m3
Kind of binding material

Lime Mortar
Lime Surkhi Mortar
Mud Mortar
Cement Mortar
MORTARS:
Functions of sand:
It reduces shrinkage of the building
material.
It prevents development of cracks in the
mortar on drying.
It helps in making mortars and concretes
of desired strength by varying its
proportions with the binding material.
A well graded sand adds to the density
of mortars and concretes.
Functions of surkhi:
It provides brick color and make the
mortar economical
LIME MORTAR
LIME MORTAR
Lime mortaris a type ofmortarcomposed
oflimeand anaggregatesuch assand, mixed
with water.
Lime mortar is primarily used in the
conservation of buildings originally built using
lime mortar, but may be used as an
alternative to ordinary portland cement.
Alime kilnis used to
producequicklimethrough thecalcinationof
limestone(calcium carbonate).
CaCO3+ heat CaO+CO2
Quick Lime
Calcium oxide(CaO), commonly known
asquicklimeorburnt lime, is a widely
used chemical compound. It is a
white,caustic,alkalinecrystallinesolid at
room temperature usually obtained from
Slaking of Lime
limestone.

When water is added to quick lime in

sufficient quantity, lime cracks, swells
and falls into powder form due to the
chemical reaction thus forming calcium
hydrate Ca(OH)2.
Lime mortar:

The paste is prepared by mixing lime and sand

or surkhi in suitable proportions in addition to
water.
If surkhi is to be added in lime mortar the
equal proportions of sand and surkhi should be
mixed with lime.
These mortars are inferior to cement mortars
in strength as well as water tightness.
These mortars should not be used for
underground works as they set in the presence
of carbon dioxide and break up in damp
conditions.
This type is used for construction work above
ground level i.e. exposed positions.
 Ht: 40 cm

6 9 m Dia Width: 30 cm

BULLOCK DRIVEN GRINDING MILL

 Pivot

Roller Roller

Revolving Pan
180- 240 CM Dia

Power

POWER DRIVEN GRINDING MILL

MUD MORTAR
Mud mortar:

The paste is prepared by mixing

suitable clay, soil with water.
The soil which is used for preparing
mud mortar should be free from grass,
pebbles etc.
These are the cheapest mortars but
weakest in strength.
These mortars are used for brickwork
of ordinary buildings and for plastering
walls in rural areas.
 PREPARATION OF CLAY

Mixing With Hand Ramming Homogenous Mixture Clay Mortar

MUD wall
Applications of MUD MORTAR

Walls Mud being Plastered to wooden Framework

Mud wall Mud Plaster

Wall with Mud Blocks

Binding Material
MUD / CLAY BLOCKS

MOULD
Clay Blocks / Tiles
TERRACOTTA
Burnt Clay

Solar Panels
embedded in clay tiles

Shingles

Tiled Roofs Roof Tiles Pot Tiles

TERRACOTTA PAVING TILES
TERRACOTTA
SCREENS / JALIS
Decorative Motifs in Terracotta
CEMENT MORTAR
Cement mortar:

The paste is prepared by mixing cement

and sand in suitable proportions in
addition to water.
The general proportion is 1 part of
cement to 2-8 parts clean sand.
These mortars must be use within half
an hour, i.e.; before initial setting time of
the cement.
This type is used for all engineering
works where high strength is desired such
as load bearing walls, deep foundations,
flooring etc.
When mixing by hand, the sands and cement
are heaped up on a mixing board or in a wheel
barrow and repeatedly turned over and over
until thoroughly mixed.
The color of the dry mix will change as the
cement is distributed throughout - there
should be no 'streaking' of cement, and no
clumps of pure sand or pure cement.
Once the dry ingredients are mixed, the
water can be added.
Dry sand and cement in Begin to mix sand and Mix to evenly distribute
wheelbarrow cement cement

The dry mix should be all Mix to required

Add water and plasticiser
one colour consistency
When using a mechanical mixer, add half a
bucket (2 or 3 liters) of clean cold water to
the empty drum before adding the dry
ingredients in sequence.
Add 4 measures of sand then 1 of cement,
followed by 4 sand, then another cement and
so on until the required quantity is in the
mixer.
This ensures a more thorough mix than
adding, say, 20 measures of sand and then 5
measures of cement.
Again, the water is added to the revolving
drum once the dry ingredients are
thoroughly blended, a bit at a
For wide joints in paving or for
stonework, either as paving or as
walling, a coarser mortar is often
preferred - replace half of the
building/soft sand with grit/sharp sand.
You will probably find that a coarse
mortar such as this requires less
gauging
Mortar for Widewater
Joints to achieve a working
consistency than does a
bricklaying/general purpose mortar.
2 x Building Sand plus
2 x Grit Sand plus
1 x cement
SPECIAL MORTARS

Fire Resistant Mortar

Lightweight Mortar
Packing Mortar
Sound Absorbing Mortar
X-Ray Shielding mortar
Fire resistant mortar:

The paste is prepared by mixing

aluminous cement and finely crushed
fire bricks (1:2) in suitable proportions
in addition to water.
The usual proportion are 1 part
aluminous cement to 2 parts of finely
crushed fire bricks.
These are generally used for lining
furnaces, ovens and fire places with fire
bricks.
Light weight mortar:

The paste is prepared by mixing wood

powder, wood sawing or saw dust with
cement or lime mortar.
In such mortars fibers of jute coir or
asbestos fibers can also be used.
These are generally used as fiber
plasters in sound and heat proof
construction.
THANK YOU