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MORTARS

Introduction

Mortar = Binding material + Fine Aggregates

+ water in specific proportions.
Mortar is a paste prepared by mixing fine
Aggregates and water with certain binding
material. This Paste hardens on drying and binds
other materials together. Mortars are usually
named according to the binding material used in
their preparation.

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3.1 Function or Uses of Mortar:

It is used in masonary to bind stones, bricks or
concrete blocks together.

It is used for pointing the joints of masonary or for
plastering the surface of masonary to protect it
from weather and to have a better look.

In concrete it is used to bind the particles of
coarse aggregates into one solid mass.

It provides an even bed to stone, bricks or
concrete blocks and prevents their inequalities
from bearing upon one another

3.2 Types of Mortars with their Uses:

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3.2 Types of Mortars with their Uses:

(Cont.)

3.2.1 Cement Mortar:

The paste prepared by mixing cement and sand in
suitable propositions in addition to water is called
CEMENT MORTOR. In this type of mortar the general
proportions are one part cement to 8 parts clean sand.
These mortars must be used within initial setting time of
the cement. These mortars are generally used where
good strength is required such as load bearing walls,
Foundations, Canal lining, plastering, pointing etc.

It is far stronger than lime mortar and is therefore
preferred for use in the construction of structures
subjected to heavier pressures

Mixing of cement sand mortar

Dry mixing sand
and cement

Mixing on a hard
surface

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Mixing of cement sand mortar

Adding water to
mix

Mixing

3.2 Types of Mortars with their Uses:

(Cont.)

3.2.2) Lime Mortar:

The paste prepared by mixing lime and sand or
surkhi in suitable proportions in addition to water is
called lime mortar. When surkhi is used as a fine
Aggregate lime mortar is also known as SURKHI
MORTAR. Surkhi and sand in equal proportions
may also be used with lime .These mortars are
inferior to cement mortars in strength as well as in
water tightness.

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3.2 Types of Mortars with their Uses:

(Cont.)

3.2.2.1 Fat Lime Mortars:

These are the mortars in which classC lime (Fat lime) is
used as binding materials. In these mortars poor lime can
also be used in place of Fat lime. The lime must be wellslaked before using it in the mortar. Such lime mortars set
under dry conditions by absorption of CO2 from
atmosphere.

Uses:
This mortar is used for construction work of thin walls above
ground level and for plastering internal surfaces of walls. Its
setting rate is very slow. This mortar should not be used for
under-ground works as it is not fit for damp conditions. The
bricks to be laid with this mortar should only be dip in water
and not thoroughly soaked.

3.2 Types of Mortars with their Uses:

(Cont.)

3.2.2.2) Hydraulic Lime Mortar:

These are the mortars in which class A and B lime
is used as binding material .In such lime mortars the
usual proportions are 1 part hydraulic lime to 2-3 part
sand. Such mortars should be used within one hour
after mixing

Uses:
This type of lime mortar is suitable for all purposes but
is generally used for construction work below ground
level such as foundation. This mortar is favorable to
use in damp conditions.

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3.2 Types of Mortars with their Uses:

(Cont.)

3.2.3) Gauged Mortar:

The paste prepared by mixing cement with lime
mortar in suitable proportions is called Gauged
mortar or LIME-CEMEMT MORTAR. Nonhydraulic, semi-hydraulic or hydrated lime is
generally used for preparing these mortars. In
these mortars the usual proportion are 1 part
cement,3 parts lime and 2-12 parts sand. In these
mortars cement is added to provide hydraulicity
and early strength of mortar. This mortar should be
used within two hours after addition of cement.

3.2 Types of Mortars with their Uses:

(Cont.)

3.2.4) Fire Resistant Mortar:

The paste prepared by mixing aluminous cement and
finely crushed fire-bricks in suitable proportions in
addition to water is called fire-Resistant Mortar .In
these mortars the usual proportions are 1 part
aluminous cement to 2 parts of finely crushed fire
bricks.

USES:
These mortars are usually used for lining furnaces,
ovens and fire-places with fire bricks where high
temperature exists.

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3.2 Types of Mortars with their Uses:

(Cont.)

3.2.5) Mud Mortars:

The paste prepared by mixing suitable clayey soil
with water is called Mud Mortar. The soil which is
used for preparing Mud mortars should be free
from grass, pebbles etc. These are cheapest
mortars but weaker in strength.

USES:
These mortars are generally used for brick work of
ordinary buildings and for plastering the walls in
rural areas.

3.3 Uses of Mortar as grout:

Grout is a cement mortar of fluid consistency. For
repair of cracks it is injected under pressure into
cracks. It is also injected in the soil so as to increase
its bearing capacity and this process is called SOIL
STABLIZATION. Empty joints and masonary left due
to poor workmanship are filled by grouting. To fill up
the bigger cracks some coarse aggregates may also
be added to it.

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3.4 Guniting of Mortar and Concrete:

 Sometimes mortars or concrete is applied under
pneumatic pressure through a CEMENT GUN. This
process is known as GUNITING. As the mortar is
applied with pressure, it results in good bond and
high strength. Concrete becomes extremely strong
by this process.
 A rich mix of 1:3 of cement and sand made with
controlled quantity of water is forced through a
nozzle under pressure .Compressed air is used to
get the pressure necessary for shooting the gun. It
is also ideal for repair works where the mortar
penetrates all cracks.

Guniting/ShotCrete
Gunite or Shotcrete refers to concrete
produced by the projection of wet
sand and cement mixture onto an
area, by means of pressure applied
through a continuously feeding
pressure
vessel.

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3.5 Strength of Masonary laid in

different Mortars
The strength of masonry laid in different mortars is given below
as.
Type of masonry

Safe permissible
load in tones/sq.m

Brick masonry in 1:3 C/S mortar
100

Brick masonry in 1:4C/S mortar
88

Brick masonry in 1:6C/S mortar
50

Brick masonry in Lime mortar
44

Rubble masonry laid in 1:3C/S mortar
90-110

Rubble masonary laid in lime mortar
30-50
C/S stands for cement sand.

Mortars

PLASTERING:
Masonry and concrete surfaces have often to be plastered
to give protection to these surfaces and to improve
appearance.

POINTING:
It is the filling up of masonary joints, raked out to a depth of
at least 1.25 cm with the same mortar as used in masonary
laying or different one. It is done primarily to seal off any
crevices left in the mortar joint thereby stopping the entry of
moisture inside the wall. Also, it improves the appearance
of the pointed surface.

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Plastering

Plastering

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3.6 Selection of Mortar for different

Engineering Works
Every engineering work requires different strength
of mortar to be used in its construction.
1.For masonry work in foundations, below ground
level especially in water-logged area, 1:3 C/S
mortar or 1:3 lime sand mortar is used.
2.For masonry work in super structure for 9 thick
walls 1:5 or 1:6 C/S mortar is used.
3.For masonry work in super structure for 4-1/2
thick walls 1:4 C/S mortar is used.

3.6 Selection of Mortar for different

Engineering Works:
(Cont.)

4.For external plaster 1:4 C/S mortar is used.

5.For internal plaster 1:5 C/S mortar is used.
6.Internal plaster for bathrooms 1:3 C/S mortar is
used.
7.For vertical D.P.C (Damp proof coarse) 1:2 C/S
mortar is used.
8.For thick joints in stone masonary, hydraulic lime
sand mortar may be used.

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3.7 Precautions in the use of Mortar:

Following precautions should be kept in mind while
using mortars.
1.Prepare mortar in small quantity which can be used
before the initial setting of cement starts.
2.If a large quantity of mortar is required to be
prepared then by using certain chemicals
(Plasticizers or Retarders), its initial setting time can
be delayed
3.Mortar should not be used with dry or partially wet
bricks.

3.7 Precautions in the use of Mortar:

(Cont.)

4.Partially set or dried mortar should not be

retempered and used.
5.Mortar used in masonary work or in plaster
should be properly cured i.e. keeping it wet
for certain time period.
6.Composite mortar shall be used within 2 hours
of addition of cement.
7.All lime mortars, after grinding should be kept
wet and never be allowed to dry. This may be
done by covering mortar with wet sacks.

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