5/4/2023

Mortar
Definition

A mortar is a mixture of sand or similar inert particles with a binding agent

(generally cement and/or lime), to which water is added in predetermined
BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY proportions.
BAHIR DAR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
FACULTY OF CIVIL AND WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING Mortar = Cement + Sand + H2O
Construction Materials
Lecture 3: Mortar

Melkie G.
2015 E.C.

Mortar Mortar
Uses of Mortar
Types of Mortar
 It bonds masonry elements together in all directions (vertical and
There is a large number of mortar types used in the construction
horizontal joints).
industry.
 It allows forces to be transmitted between the elements and notably
vertical forces (i.e. the weight of the elements themselves, or applied 1. Mud mortar
forces). 2. Lime mortar
 As a wall plaster. 3. Cement mortar
 As a constituent of concrete. 4. Compo mortar
 5/4/2023

Mortar Mortar
1. Mud mortar 3. Cement mortar
 The most elementary mortar.  Cement mortar= Portland cement + sand(inert particles)+water.
 Is made from soil mixed with water.
 While the use of lime results in a relatively workable mixture, rapid
 It may be suitable for laying soil blocks
development of strength as well as stronger mortar is most conveniently
 If exposed to the weather will quickly be eroded by rain. obtained with Portland cement.
2. Lime mortar

 Lime mortar = lime +sand + water

 Use of lime results in a relatively workable mixture

 Slow hardening makes it less attractive than cement mortars

Mortar
4. Compo mortar
 Compo mortar = cement + lime +sand + water.
 In order to combine the advantages of both lime and cement,
mortars are prepared with appropriate proportions of Portland
cement, lime and sand, which is known as compo-mortar.
Mortar
Materials for mortar
A. Sand:
 Should be well graded, that is the particles should not all be fine or all coarse.
 Should be clean, free from dust, loam, clay and vegetable matter. These foreign
materials prevent the adhesion of the particles ,thereby reduce the strength.
 Silt test could be made at the construction to check the percentage of silt in the
sand.
 5/4/2023

Mortar
Silt test (Jar test) Mortar
 Fill the jar to a depth of 5cm with representative sample of sand. B. Water
Clean water is important for the same reasons, as is clean sand; any impurities
 Add water until the jar is about three fourth full . present will affect bond strength between the paste and sand.
 Shake vigorously
 Allow the jar to stand for an hour or more during which the silt will be deposited
Proportioning of the component materials :
 If the layer of silt is more than 3mm or 6%,the sand is not suitable for mortar work. In proportioning the component materials the following points must also be
considered:
 The mixture must be workable so that it can be placed and finished without undue
labour.
 Since Portland cement is the most costly ingredient in the mixture the proportion used
should be as small as its consistent with the attainment of desired properties.
(Economical)
 It should be strong enough.

Properties of Mortar Properties of Mortar

Some of the properties of mortar are: 1.Workability

1. Workability  For the same proportions, lime-sand mortar invariably gives better
workability than Portland cement-sand mortar
2. Strength
3. Water tightness  At times plasticizers and air-entraining agents are used in order to improve

Factors affecting the properties of mortar include: the workability of cement-sand mortars, especially when they are lean (i.e.
containing less amount of cement) mixes.
 The amount of mixing water
 Properties of the binder used
 Cement content; fineness and composition
 Characteristics and grading of the sand
 5/4/2023

Properties of Mortar Properties of Mortar

2. Strength 3. Water Tightness

 Strength of mortar is affected by a number of factors, which include the When Mortar is used in parts of buildings exposed to dampness or

quality of the ingredients, their proportion, the curing method and age. moisture and might be required to be watertight.

 The compressive, tensile, shear and bending strengths of cement mortar  To make such type of mortar, Portland cement should be used because of

increases with an increase in the cement content. its hydraulic property.

 For the same proportions lime-sand mix gives weaker strength than With the cement content, materials, and workability all constant, strength

cement-sand mix. and degree of water-tightness increase with the density of the mix.

Batching and Mixing

 Materials used for making mortar should be accurately measured. Batching and Mixing
Few examples of mortar proportions by volume for different purposes:
 Cement is usually measured by weight in cement bags whereas sand is
For masonry:
measured by volume.
Cement mortar :-1 cement: 4-5 sand
 1 bag of cement=50 Kg =35 litters For bricklaying:

Lime mortar:-1 lime: 3-4 sand

 Sand is measured by using a measuring box to hold quantities in multiples
For plastering:
of 35lt.
 1st coat and 2nd coat 1 cement : 1/3 lime : 2 sand (max. 4mm) or 1 cement:3 sand
 The convenient size of the box can be 1 cement: ½ lime: 3 sand (max. 4mm)
 3rd coat 1cement : 1 lime : 4 sand(max. 4mm)
40cm X 35cmX 25cm internally