What is Mortar? – | Properties | Uses

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What is Mortar?

Mortar is a paste made by cement sand and water or by lime, surkhi and water. lime and cement are binding material in the mortar, sand and surkhi give the strength to the mortar. The strength of mortar decreases as the proportion of sand increases. A mix of 1 cement and 3 sand (1:3) is better mix the water required for a better result is 20 to 25 % as it gives the greatest strength of mortar.

What is Mortar? - | Properties | Uses Civil Lead
Properties of Mortar
  1. It should be easily workable.
  2. It should develop adequate strength in tension and compression.
  3. It should be set quickly.
  4. It should bind the brick or building stone properly.
  5. It should be cheap.
  6. It should be durable.
  7. It should maintain the appearance for quite a long period.
  8. It should be capable of resisting the penetration of rainwater.
  9. It should not affect the durability of materials with which it comes in to contact.
  10. It should have a good consistency.
  11. It should possess the ability to retain adequate humidity during transportation and laying over a porous bed.
Uses of Mortar
  1. Mortar is used to form a soft layer for bricks and stone in masonry work.
  2. It is also used to distribute uniformly load over the lower brick or stone.
  3. It is also used to bind the bricks and stones with each other.
  4. It also provides water-tightness against the weather.
  5. It is used as plaster or impermeable covering for walls and roofs.
  6. It is also used as paint, which protects the joints of bricks or stones.
  7. It is used to fill up the voids which remain in the structure.
  8. It is used to repair cracks of any structure.
  9. It is also used for various ornamental works to improve the general appearance of a building or structure.
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Also, read – 

  1. Water-Cement Ratio and its Significance
  2. What are the Properties of Fresh Concrete

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