Mortar (masonry)

Bricks held together with mortar.

Mortar acts as a kind of glue to keep stones and bricks together. When it is used, it is a kind of paste. Some kinds of mortar need to dry before they can act as a glue, in others, a chemical reaction is needed. Certain kinds of mortar can withstand fire for some time. The first kind of mortar was developed in Ancient Rome.

Mortar serves as a vital component in masonry construction, acting as a crucial bonding agent between building blocks. Comprised of sand, a binding agent such as Cement or Lime, and Water, it is applied as a paste that solidifies, effectively joining masonry units like stones, bricks, or concrete utilized in the building process. This article delves into the significance of mortar in construction, its preparation methods, the diverse mortar mixes employed for different tasks, and key considerations to bear in mind when working with mortar blends.

Uses of Mortar

Construction mortar serves as a leveling bed to smooth out the irregularities present in individual masonry units. The smoother the surfaces of the stones or bricks, the thinner the mortar bed required. The mortar should possess adhesive properties to effectively bond the individual stones or bricks together. In construction, the mortar must facilitate the transfer of compressive, tensile, and shear stresses between adjacent units, while also maintaining sufficient durability to sustain these functions over time.

Preparation of Mortar

1. Masonry mortar should be prepared exclusively on a solid platform constructed from either bricks, tin, or steel sheets.
2. Each batch of mortar should be meticulously proportioned to ensure the correct volume of materials.
3. Once all materials for the mix have been measured, they are combined dry. For thorough hand mixing, the blend should be turned over three times. This process involves shifting all the materials to one side with a shovel, then back again, repeating this motion. At this stage, the mix should display a uniform color, devoid of any lumps or pockets of aggregate or binder.
4. At the pinnacle of the mound, a depression resembling a crater is formed, reminiscent of a volcano.
5. Water is gradually added to the hollow, and the dry materials are blended with the water, commencing from the interior of the depression. Once sufficient water has been integrated to achieve the desired workable consistency of the mortar mix, the process of turning over is repeated three times in its wet state.