Differences Between Mortar and

Grout
Mortar and grout are both used in the field of construction which are cement based
product. Despite both being cement based products, they have different properties,
different uses and serve different purposes. The major difference found in the
mortar and grout is its fluidity property.

In the below article we have shed light on the major differences between mortar and
grout.

Mortar
Mortar is a mixture of cement, sand and water made into a thick paste that is used to
bind two surfaces with each other. It is majorly used in the building projects as a
binding material between stones, concrete and bricks.

Fig 1: Mortar being used as

binding material in brick masonry.

Grout
Grout is a highly viscous material which is used as a filler to
fill spaces or the joints between ceramic or stone tiles. Grout is a binder, but it is
certainly not an adhesive and the tiles stay in place because of the mortar below
them and not because of the grout.

Fig 2: Grout being used as

filler material in tilling.

Difference Between Mortar and Grout

The differences between mortar and grout are mentioned below in detail :

SN Properties Mortar Grout

Cement, water and sand, epoxy, acrylic

1 Material Cement, sand, lime and water
and polymer

Water-Cement
2 Less More
Ratio

The primary function of the cement The primary function of the grout is to act
Primary
3 mortar is to act as a binder in brick or as a filler material in tilling work and
Function
stone masonry cracks.

4 Stiffness Stiffer Less stiff

It sticks well on a trowel and the As the water content is more, it is difficult
5 Workability
workability is more. to handle it with trowel or other tools.
 6 Viscosity Low Highly viscous

Comes in various colors as per the

7 Color Usually takes the color of cement
requirement

Cement Mortar Sanded grout

Lime Mortar Un-sanded or wall grout
8 Types Surki Mortar Epoxy grout
Gauged Mortar Furan grout
Mud Mortar Acrylic grout

Quite porous, holds waters in it even after

9 Porosity Non-porous
hardening.

Grout does not need extra water for

Mortar needs curing for hardening
10 Curing curing; the initial quantity provided is
process
enough for hardening

Setting time is more when compared to Setting time is less when compared to
11 Setting Time
grout Mortar

Used as a filler in tiles and cracks.

Used as a bonding material in stone,
Grouting is done to avoid cracks or
concrete and brick masonry.
12 Application bedding planes in weak area or ground.
Used in plastering works to hide the
Grouting is used for strengthing of ground
joints and to improve appearance.
for dam foundation.

Read More: Differences Between Coarse-Grained and Fine-Grained Soil

Differences Between Coarse-Grained
and Fine-Grained Soil
Coarse-grained soil and fine-grained soil are two different types of soil that can be
identified based on their texture or ‘feel’ and particle size. It is very crucial to
observe the range of particle sizes in soil as it heavily influences the key colloidal
properties and has great many engineering implications.

Compaction of soil, plasticity, shear strength, surface area, packing density et cetera
vary with the variations in sizes and so does the behavior of soils. The soil particle
size generally ranges from 20cm in boulders to 0.1 microns in clay particles.

Physical and mechanical properties of coarse-grained and fine-grained soil are

different and they are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1 Differences between Coarse-grained soil and fine-grained soil

Coarse-grained soil Fine-grained soil

Coarse-grained soil is frequently identified

It is identified on the basis of its plasticity
based on the particle size or grain size.

Individual particles are not visible by the naked

Individual particles are visible by naked eye.
eye.

It is divided into silt and clay.

It is divided into two classes sand and gravel.

Silt tend to have spherical shape and clay

Shape of grains varies from rounded to angular
particles are flaky

Particles with a diameter larger than 4.75 mm Fine-grained soil particles diameter that fallen
are termed gravel and particles with diameter between 75 micron to 2 micron are known as
range between 4.75 mm to 75 micron is known silt and particles having a diameter smaller than
as sand. 2 micron is called clay

Coarse-grained soils have 50% or less material Fine-grained soils have 50% or more material
passing the No. 200 sieve passing the No. 200 sieve.
Engineering properties such as strength and
Engineering properties of fine grained soil are
compressibility of coarse-grained soil are
controlled by mineralogical factors and moisture
governed by the grain-size of the particles and
content.
their structural arrangement.

There is no crucial change in strength with the Strength changes with a change in moisture
change in moisture condition. condition

Coarse-grained soil is described on the basis of

its gradation (well or poor), particle shape Fine-grained soil is described depend on its dry
(angular, sub-angular, rounded or sub-rounded) strength, dilatancy, dispersion and plasticity.
and mineralogical components.

It has good-load bearing qualities when dry;

however, it possesses little or no load-bearing
It has good load-bearing qualities
strength if it is wet. This characteristic is
especially true with clay.

Fine-grained soil is impermeable due to its small

Coarse-grained soil drains freely
particles size.

Moisture condition variation does not affect its

Volume change occurs as moisture content
volume; however, vibration accentuates volume
varies.
change in loose state

Coarse-grained soil feels gritty when touched by

It feels smooth, gre
hand