Performance

MORTAR
Processes

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Composites

Metals Polymers Ceramics

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Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Introduction Use of mortar Types of mortar Precautions in the use of mortar Tests for mortar Grout Guniting/shortcreting Pointing
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Introduction
Mortar may be defined as a paste formed by mixing water, a fine aggregate and a binding material in a specified proportion. This paste hardens on drying and binds the bricks, stones or concrete blocks together.

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Uses of Mortar
Stone masonry Brick masonry Concrete block masonry Provides even bed to stone, brick or blocks. Pointing works Plastering

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Types of mortar
Following are the common types: Lime mortars Cement mortar Composite mortar

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Lime mortar
Lime mortar may be lime and sand mortar, lime and surkhi mortar, lime, sand and surkhi mortar

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Cement Mortar
It is far stronger than lime mortar and is therefore preferred for use in the construction of structures subjected to heavier pressures. When small quantities of it are required then it is prepared manually. In case the requirements are much then it is mixed mechanically in mixers. For internal plastering ratio may be 1:5 For external plastering/R.C.C work plastering ratio may be 1:3 For masonry 1:6
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Lime-Cement Mortar
It is also known as composite mortar or gauged mortar. When lime mortar made from fat lime is desired to be improved with regard to its initial setting time then cement is added to it. Cement should be added only to that much lime mortar which can be used within two hours of the addition of cement. For general use lime sand mortar may be in the ratio of 1:6,& for cement-lime-sand mortar, it is 1:2:9.
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Precautions in the use of Mortar

Mortar must be used as soon as possible with the maximum limits given below:
In case of hydraulic lime tmax = 4 hrs Lime mortar with Surkhi tmax = 24 hrs Composite mortar, tmax = 2 hrs Cement mortar, tmax = 30 mints. After water addition. Partly set and dried mortar should not be used. Lime mortar should be wet for six days. After construction cement mortar should be cured for at least ten days. Lime mortar masonry should be allowed to raised after setting of 1.5 meter height.
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Tests for mortar

Crushing strength Adhesiveness Cohesiveness or tensile strength Test for setting

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Grout
It is cement mortar of fluid consistency. For repairs of cracks or fissures it is injected under pressure into the cracks. It is injected in the soil so as to increase its bearing capacity. Vacant joints in masonry left due to bad workmanship are filled up by grouting. To fill up bigger cracks a little coarse aggregate also may be added to it. 188 Dept of Mat Eng
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Guniting or shortcreting of mortar and concrete

Sometime mortar or concrete is applied under pneumatic pressure through a cement gun. This process is known as guniting or shortcreting. As the mortar is applied with pressure, it results in good bond and high strength.

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Pointing
It is filling up of masonry joints, raked out to a depth of at least 1.25cm, with the same mortar as used in masonry laying or a different one. It is done primarily to seal off any crevice left in the mortar joint. Pointing may be applied for architectural point of view. Pointing may be: Keyed joint Recessed joint or raked joint Flat or flush joint Flat joint jointed Mason v joint Struck joint or weathered joint Beaded pointing Tuck pointing Bastard or half tuck pointing.

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