Building and Finish

Material

Lecture 03
(Mortar-Plaster)
BRICK
CEMENT
PLASTER
CONCRETE
SAND
STONE
Mortar
Mortar is a paste generally made by mixing cementing or binding material (lime,
cement) and an inter material (sand or surkhi) with water.

There are different types of mortar.

• Cement mortar: Cement + Sand + water
• Lime mortar: Lime + Sand + water
• Surkhi Mortar: Lime + Surkhi + water
• Lime Surkhi Mortar: Lime + Sand + Surkhi + water
• Mud mortar: Mud + Saw dust/rise husk/cow-dung + water

Mortar is used
• To bind together the bricks/stones in masonry work.
• To give a soft even bed between different layers of brick/stone masonry for
equal distribution of pressure over the bed.
• To fill up the spaces between brick / stones for making walls tight.
• In concrete, it works as a matrix.
• In plastering works, to hide the joints and to improve appearance.
• For molding and ornamental purpose.
Functions of sand and surkhi in Mortar
SAND
• It is generally used as an inter material to give volume for economy.
• It subdivides the paste of cementing materials into a thin film which is the basic
principle involved in using all cementing materials
• Offers the requisite surface areas for the film of cementing materials to adhere
and to spread.
• Prevents shrinkage and cracking of mortar in setting.
• A well grades sand adds to the density of the mortar.
• Sometime it improves setting power by allowing CO2 from atmosphere to reach
to some depth.
• Some chemical reactions take place between silica and sand grain and the
constituents of cementing material to form hardened mass.

SURKHI
• It is used as an adulterant (a material which provides volume)
• Surkhi imparts strength and hydraulic property to mortars.
 Preparation of Mortar

1. Dry sand and cement in wheelbarrow 2. Begin to mix sand and cement 3. Mix to evenly distribute
cement

4. The dry mix should be all one color. 5. Add water and plasticizer 6. Mix to required consistency
Varieties of mortar
Cement mortar:
• The paste is prepared by mixing cement and sand in suitable proportions in
addition to water.
• The general proportion is 1 part of cement to 2-8 parts clean sand.
• These mortars must be use within half an hour, i.e.; before initial setting time
of the cement.
• This type is used for all engineering works where high strength is desired such
as load bearing walls, deep foundations, flooring etc.

Lime mortar:
• The paste is prepared by mixing lime and sand in suitable proportions in
addition to water.
• These mortars are inferior to cement mortars in strength as well as water
tightness.
• These mortars should not be used for underground works as they set in the
presence of carbon dioxide and break up in damp conditions.
Varieties of mortar
Cement – Lime mortar:
• The paste is prepared by mixing 15% to 20% of hydrated lime in cement
mortar.
• This mortar is more plastic, spreads readily and easily.
• It produces greater uniformity and better workability.
Grout:
• Very thin liquid mortars are termed as grout.
• Specially prepared to fill in the cracks , faults and narrow joints. This
process is termed as grouting.
Gauged mortar:
• To achieve more strength in lime mortar , 1 part of cement is used with 6
to 8 parts of lime mortar.
• This process of adding cement to lime mortar for better strength is termed
as ‘gauging’
Varieties of mortar
Light – weight mortar :
• These mortar are prepared by mixing saw dust, rice husk, jute fibers, coir's,
asbestos fibres etc along with sand & lime or cement
• Cinder mortar is also a variety of light weight mortar.
• For developing adhesion, small quantity of glue or other adhesive materials
are used to mortar.

Mud mortar:
• The paste is prepared by mixing suitable clayey soil with water.
• The soil which is used for preparing mud mortar should be free from grass,
pebbles etc.
• These are the cheapest mortars but weakest in strength.
• These mortars are used for brickwork of ordinary buildings and for plastering
walls in rural areas.
Varieties of mortar

Surkhi Mortar:
• Surkhi is finely powdered burnt clay which is free from any admixtures,
impurities.
• Surkhi mortar consists lime, surkhi and water.
• This mortar is used as adulterant or fine aggregate.
• Sometimes half amount of sand and half amount of surkhi is also used. It
will give more strength than sand and cheaply available in the market.
Plaster
Plaster is a thin coat of mortar of different composition which is applied on
both external and internal surfaces to obtain an even , smooth , regular ,
clean & durable surface.
The process of applying plaster is termed as plastering.

It contains
__binding material (cement, lime)
__water
__fine aggregates (sand)
__additives (sometimes)

It is used for
__smooth and finished surface to work.
__rendering (external plastering)
__conceals joints and defective workmanship
__resistance of the surface is improved to atmospheric condition
__provides a satisfactory base for decorating, white washing, color washing .
__ It is used for molding, ornamental and architectural work.
__cover up cheap quality material
Characteristics of good plastering

• It should be hard and durable.

• It should adhere firmly to the surface on which it is applied.
• It should not shrink or contract in volume on drying and setting, otherwise it
cracks and gives an unsightly appearance.
• It should effectively check the penetration of moisture from the surfaces.
• In case of lime plaster it should not contain unslaked particles of lime which
absorb moisture from the atmosphere and spoils the plastered surface.
Tools used in plastering
Trowel
Plastering a straight wall

a. Study the wall which is to be plastered; notice the holes and projecting
parts.
b. Clean the wall with a hard brush and chisel off any projecting blocks.
c. Soak the wall thoroughly with water; try to wash off the loose particles. Clean
the wall very well, especially the area near the footings and the footings
themselves.
d. Place boards against the foot of the wall to catch the mortar which is
dropped.
e. Prepare some mortar which is of the same strength as the wall, and use It to
fill up the larger holes in the wall.
f. Make a scaffolding to work from, if this is needed.
Types of plaster
There are several different types of Plaster
available such as :
(a) Lime Plaster
(b) Cement Plaster
(c) Mud Plaster
(d) Stucco Plaster

Lime Plaster
• When lime is used as the binding materials,
it is called lime plaster.
• Lime plaster is type of plaster composed of
hydrated lime, sand and water.
• Usually 1 part lime, 2 to 3 part sand mixed
with water to form a paste of required
consistency.
• It is laid on soaked surface 3/8 to ½ inch
thick in one coat.
Cement Plaster
• When cement is used as the binding materials, it is
called cement plaster.
• Cement plaster is composed of portland cement and
standard sand in the proportion 1:2, unless specified.
The ingredients are mixed with water to form a paste
of required consistency.
• The surface to be plastered is carefully scraped off
and thoroughly cleaned and soaked with water
before laying the plaster.
• Cement plaster is usually applied in one coat from ¼
to 1 inch thick.
• The plastered surface is cured for about 2 weeks.
• It is especially suited for damp condition like
construction of dams, reservoir, irrigation canal and
other structures in contact with water.
• It is also used for walls, floors, ceiling etc.
Stucco Plaster
• Stucco is the name given to a decorative type of plaster which gives an
excellent finish on interior or exterior surfaces.
• This is made of -either clean white shell lime and powdered marble (1:2)
-or cement plaster(1:2 ½ )or (1:3)
• It is usually laid in three coats: scratch coat, brawn coat and finished coat. Total
thickness is about 1 ½ inch .
• Scratch coat is troweled hard and tight. It is deeply cross – scratched just before
setting in order to provide bond for the nest coat.
• Brown coat is applied to 3 days and then allowed to dry completely.
• Finished coat is applied when all other works of the structure are completed
Mud plaster
• This is composed of selected mud and cow dung or saw dust in equal proportion
• The surface to be plastered is prepared exactly in the same manner as that for
lime or cement plaster.
• Mud plaster is generally applied in two coats of total thickness ¾ inch.
• The first coat is applied by hand to fill up all the interstices of the surface and is left
with rough surface.
• When the first coat is nearly dry, the second coat is applied with trowel and
worked to a smooth even surface.
• The straw or saw dust need not to be used in the second coat.
DEFECTS
CRACKING
_Old surface not being properly prepared
_movement of backing
_ for thermal expansion
_ for drying of the backing material (which
"carry" the adhesive)
_ movement of plaster
_ expansion (gypsum plaster)
_ shrinkage (lime-sand plaster)
_excessive shrinkage for mortar too thick
_workmanship
BLISTERING
_small patches
_swelling out beyond plastered surface
_ faulty slaking of lime particles in the plaster
_properly slaked lime should always be used

FALLING OUT OF PLASTER

_adhesion to background not perfect
_suction of backing material not uniform
_ excessive absorption of water in the backing
loses of strength mechanical bond between 2
surfaces
_excessive thermal changes in plaster or backing
_inadequate curing
EFFLORESCENCE
_soluble salts are present
_ absorb moisture from atmosphere
_chemically reacts
_appears in surface as white substance as the moisture dries out and the salt
crystalline
_can be removed to some extent by washing and brushing repeatedly
_brickwork, salt can be removed by applying zinc sulphate solution and water,
then brushing off the surface when dry
_1 part of HCl or H2SO4 + 5 parts of water on the surface with the scrubbing
brush
POINTING
It is the art of finishing the mortar joints in exposed brick or stone masonry with
suitable cement or lime mortar, in order to protect the joints from weather effects
and also to improve the appearance of building structure.
_13 mm
_slightly richer mix
_harsh atmosphere
_appearance through pattern, color, texture, thickness .