Classification Of Mortar

On the basis of binding material the mortars can be classified as :-

• Cement Mortar – Cement is used as binding material in this type of mortar.The proportion of cement to sand by volume varies from 1:2 to 1:6 or more depending upon strength requirement, durability and importance of work to be carried out. Only sand can be used to form cement mortar . Since, surkhi and cinder are not chemically inert, they cannot be used for preparation of cement mortar.
• Lime Mortar – Lime mortars are mixture of air hardening lime or hydraulic lime, sand and water. The fat lime shrinks to a great extent and hence it requires about 2 to 3 times its volume of sand. The lime should be slaked before use. This type of mortar is unfit for water-logged areas or in damp situations.
  However, hydraulic lime mortar can be used in damp situations. The lime mortar possesses high plasticity, good cohesiveness, shrinks very little and is sufficiently durable but hardens slowly.
• Gypsum Mortar – In these type of mortars gypsum or anhydride binding materials are used.
• Mud Mortar – It is prepared from clay nodules and are used in construction of houses for poor and temporary construction works.