BUILDING MORTARS

INTRODUCTION
 Building mortars are mixtures used for the jointing of
bricks, stones, blocks, etc.
 Mortar may be defined as a paste (capable of setting and
hardening) obtained by adding water to a mixture of fine
aggregates such as sand and binding material, e.g., clay,
gypsum, lime or cement or their combinations.
 Mortar becomes hard when it sets, resulting in a rigid
aggregate structure.
 Mortar can also be used to fix, or point, masonry when
the original mortar has washed away
 They are essentially required for masonry work,
plastering and pointing etc.
CLASSIFICATION

Mortars are classified

 On the basis of their bulk density,

 On the basis of binding material,
 On the basis of applications and ,
 On the basis of physical and mechanical

properties.
On the basis of their bulk density
Heavy mortar
 If the mortar having bulk density of 15 KN/𝑚3

or more then it is called as heavy mortar.

Generally heavy quartzes are used as
adulterants in this type of mortars.
Lightweight mortar
 If the mortar having bulk density of less than

15 KN/𝑚3 then it is called as light mortar.

Generally light porous sands, soft sands are
used as adulterants in this type of mortars
On the basis of binding material

Gypsum mortar

Cement mortar
Lime mortar

Mud mortar

Surkhi mortar
On the basis of applications

Brick or stone laying mortar Finishing mortar

On the basis of physical and mechanical properties

The basis of this classification is the strength of concrete

which underlies the durability of concrete.

Building mortars are subdivided into nine grades on the

basis of compressive strength from 0.4 to 30.0N/mm2.
Characteristics of good mortar
 The chief properties of hardened mortar are strength,
development of good bond with building units,
resistance to weathering and those of green mortar
mixes are mobility, placability and water retention.
 In addition, the mortar should be cheap and durable and

should not affect the durability of building units in

contact. The joints made with mortar should not
develop cracks.
Cement mortar
In this type, cement is used
as binding material and sand
is used as adulterant (fine
aggregate).
The proportion of cement
and sand is decided based
on the specified durability
and working conditions.
Cement mortar will give high
strength and resistivity
against water. The
Turbulent mortar mixer
proportion of cement to
sand may varies from 1:2 to
1:6.
Lime mortar
In case of lime mortar, lime is
used as binding material. There
are two types of limes namely
fat lime and hydraulic lime.
Fat lime in lime mortar requires
2 to 3 times of sand and it is
used for dry work.
Hydraulic lime and sand in 1:2
ratios will give good results in
damp conditions and also
suitable for water logged areas.
The lime mortar has a high
plasticity so; it
Power driven mortar mill
can be placed easily.
Surkhi Mortar
 Surkhi is finely powdered burnt clay which is free from
any admixtures, impurities.
 It will give more strength than sand and cheaply

available in the market.

 Surkhi mortar consists lime, surkhi and water.
 Surkhi is used as adulterant or fine aggregate.

Sometimes half amount of sand and half amount of

surkhi also used.
LIME CEMENT MORTAR OR GAUGED MORTAR

 Gauged mortar consists lime, cement and sand.

 We knew that lime mortar has high plasticity and

cement has high strength than lime so, whenever we

mixed these both in some proportions then the resultant
will give two properties in economical way.
 So, this is also called as composite mortar or lime-

cement mortar. Usually 1:6 to 1:8 ratio of cement to

lime will be used to prepare gauged 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.

SPECIAL PURPOSE MORTAR
 Fire resistant mortar
 Lightweight mortar
 Packing mortar
 Sound absorbing mortar
 X-ray shielding mortar
 Chemical resistant mortar
SELECTION OF MORTAR
TESTING
The mortars are tested for their quality by
 the crushing strength,
 soundness, and
 initial and final setting time tests
 Permeability test

Permeability test setup

Grout
 Cement mortar of fluid consistency used to fill the
voids and joints in masonry and to repair the cracks is
known as grout. Also used to increase the bearing
capacity of soil by injection.
 It is essentially composed of cement, fine or coarse

sand, water, and a small amount (if any) of grouting

admixture .
 The water-cement ratio should be kept as low as

possible to increase the strength and reduce the

shrinkage.
Guniting
 The application of mortar or concrete under pneumatic
pressure through a cement gun is known as guniting;
concrete becomes extremely strong and a high bond is
achieved.
 The gunite may be defined as mortar comprising

cement and sand conveyed through an equipment

known as gun.
 It is pneumatically forced, on a backing surface,

through a nozzle where water is added at a high

velocity.