Mud Workshop 54

MATERIAL MODULE : MUD

Mud Workshop

Satyajeet Chavan FA PG 190865 Page 54


A mud workshop by Dr. Angelo, researcher in Conservation materials in DAStU- Politecnico di Milano was held where
we were demonstrated the technique of making a mud mortar its process and an experiment with building brick wall in
mud mortar was demonstrated.
Figure 1 : Sourcing of soil
Satyajeet Chavan FA PG 190865
Mud Workshop 55
At first Mud from a nearby source was obtained. The earth
obtained was a little clayish in its properties. This mixture was
added with fine sieved earth and was kept to settle. The mortar
proportions to be added were in the ratio 1:3:4. With one part of
lime three parts of sand and four parts of earth.
Lime, especially Quicklime (CaO) was put in a pit and water
was added for the process of slaking lime. The reaction tends to
burn the quicklime and creating a reaction CaO + H2O =
Ca(OH)2. The slaked lime was removed and sieved through a
cloth and pure lime mortar was acquired. This lime mix was
added to the mud mortar prepared. Meanwhile the earth
prepared was divided into two , one for bedding and the other
for plastering. The mortar for bedding was added with 2 parts
of coarse sand and the mixture was used as a bedding mortar in
between the bricks. The Second mortar was added with one
parts of fine sand and the mixture was used to plaster the wall.
It was noted that the mixture to be prepared was added water in
limited quantity, so as to not make the mortar too sludgy. To
check the mortar consistency it was observed that a good
mortar will stick to your finger rather than fall when held.
Additionally we prepared a mud render of finely sieved earth
some lime only and was finished on the plaster giving a fine
smooth texture.
Fig u re 1 : Sa nd m ixe d w ith th e c la y Figure 3 : Mixing
Figure of lime
2 : Checking of with mud
mortar for
consistency
Page 55
 Mud Workshop 56

A sample of Brick wall was used for mud plastering and for
the bedding a brick wall of two course was constructed. The
wall was initially cleaned and wetted. The plaster in forms of
lumps was put up against the wall and then leveled through a
hawk, tool used for leveling the wall surface.
In conclusion, the method was observed and the way of
preparing a mortar was understood. It was observed that the
mud plaster used for plastering the wall did fall off in a week
of workshop. This might have been because of the absence of
additives generally used in any mortar.

Figure 4 : Kneading of mortar

Figure 6 : Plastering ofFigure 5 : Plastered wall surface

the wall

Satyajeet Chavan FA PG 190865 Page 56