This document provides information on mortar, including its definition, types, functions, composition, properties, and classification. It defines mortar as a workable paste used to bind construction blocks together and fill gaps. The main types discussed are cement mortar, lime mortar, surkhi mortar, gauged mortar, and mud mortar. The functions of mortar include binding materials, carrying out plastering and pointing, forming an even bedding layer, and improving appearance. Modern mortars are typically made of sand, a binder like cement or lime, and water. The properties and classification of mortar are also outlined.

1. SPECIFICATION
SUBMITTED BY :
ANUSHA PORWAL
TOPIC - MORTAR

2. MORTAR
● Mortar is a workable paste used to bind construction blocks together and fill
the gaps between them. The word comes from Latin moratorium meaning
crushed.
● Mortar may be used to bind masonry blocks of stone, brick, etc.
● 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.
● These are usually named according to the binding material used in their
preparation.
● They are essentially required for masonry work, plastering and pointing etc.

3. TYPES OF MORTAR
● Cement Mortar - Cement mortar is a type of mortar where cement is used as binding material and sand is
used as fine aggregate. Depending upon the desired strength, the cement to the sand proportion of cement
mortar varies from 1:2 to 1:6.
● Lime Mortar - Lime mortar is a type of mortar where lime (fat lime or hydraulic lime) is used as binding
material and sand is used as fine aggregate. The lime to the sand proportion of cement mortar is kept 1:2. The
pyramids at Giza are plastered with lime mortar.
● Surkhi Mortar - Surkhi mortar is a type of mortar where lime is used as binding material and surki is used as
fine aggregate. Surkhi mortar is economic.
● GaugedMortar - Gauged mortar is a type of mortar where cement and lime both are used as binding
material and sand is used as fine aggregate. Basically, it is a lime mortar where cement is added to gain higher
strength. The process is known as gauging. The cement to the lime proportion varies from 1:6 to 1:9. Gauged
mortar is economical than cement concrete and also possess higher strength than lime mortar.
● MudMortar- Mud mortar is a type of mortar where mud is used as binding material and sawdust, rice husk
or cow-dung is used as fine aggregate. Mud mortar is useful where lime or cement is not available.

4. FUNCTIONS OF
MORTAR
● To bind building materials such as bricks and stones into a solid
mass.
● To carry out pointing and plasterwork on exposed surfaces of
masonry.
● To form an even and soft bedding layer for building units.
● To form joints of pipes.
● To improve the general appearance of a structure.
● To prepare moulds for coping, corbels , cornice, etc.
● To serve as a matrix or cavity to hold the coarse aggregates, etc.

5. COMPOSITION OF MORTAR
● Modern mortars are typically
made from a mixture of :
● Sand,
● A binder such as cement or a
lime ,and
● Water.
Mixup the Mortar
3 parts of sand + 1 part of cement + 3/4
part water
The mix not be too wet.

6. Mortar as binding material Plastering Pointing
Masonry Joint Cement Slurry Finishing Mortar

7. PROPERTIES OF MORTAR
● The main quality is that mortar should possess is adhesion. Good mortar
should provide good adhesion to building units (bricks, Stones etc).
● Mortar should be water resistant. It should have the capability of resisting
the penetration of water.
● Deformability of mortar should be low.
● Mortar should be cheap.
● Mortar should be easily workable in the site condition.
● The mobility of mortar should be good. It helps the mortar to be paved
thinly and evenly.
● It should possess high durability.
● To improve the speed of construction, good mortar should set quickly.
● Cracks should not be developed in the joint formed by mortar. It is desirable
to last for long period of time without losing the appearance.

8. CLASSIFICATION OF MORTAR
● Bulk Density
● Binding Material
● Applications
● Physical Properties
● Mechanical Properties

9. BULK DENSITY
● Heavy Weight
➔ Density > 1500 kg/m3
➔ Heavy Quartz
➔ Sand
● Light Weight
➔ Density < 1500 kg/m3
➔ Light Porous Sand
➔ Pumice, tuffa, slags

10. BINDING MATERIAL
● Cement Mortars - cement, sand, water
● Lime Mortars - lime, sand, water
● Gypsum Mortars - gypsum and binding materials
● Mud Mortars - clay and water
● Composite Mortars -
➔ Surkhi, lime, water
➔ Lime, surkhi, sand mortar
➔ Cement, lime, mortar
➔ Cement, clay mortar

11. APPLICATIONS
● Brick laying mortars.
● Finishing mortars - architectural or decorative
purposes.
● Special mortar - acoustics, x- ray , shielding etc.

12. PHYSICAL & MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
● On the basis of compressive strength.
● Subdivided into 9 grades from 0.4 to 30 N/mm2
● Some physical ( e.g. water absorption and abrasion resistance)
and some mechanical ( e.g. bending strength, compressive
strength, toughness) properties of mortar were tested. The
results indicated that bending strength and toughness of
mortars were improved.

13. CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD MORTAR
● Strength
● Development of good bond
● Resistance to weathering
● Mobility
● Placeability
● Water retention
● Should be cheap and durable
● Should not develop cracks