Page 32 - PH_Masonry_Final_Ver 1_July 2020

 Through handful of cement in a bucket of water it should float before it sinks.

Cement Mortar

Mortar is a workable paste used to bind construction bricks/blocks together and fill the gaps be-
tween them. Mortar becomes hard when it sets, resulting in a rigid aggregate structure. Modern

mortars are typically made from a mixture of sand, a binder such as cement or lime, and water.

Properties of Cement Mortar

(Cement+ Fine Aggregates+ Water):

1. When water is added to initiate dry mixtures of cement and sand, hydration of cement starts

and it will binds sand particles as well as the surrounding surfaces of masonry and concrete.

2. The proportion of cement and sand will decide the strength of mortar.

3. A richer mix than 1:3 proportion is prone to shrinkage.

4. Solid surface are provided by well-proportioned mortar.

5. A leaner mix is not able of closing the voids in sand.

Properties of cement concrete

(Cement+ Course Aggregates+ Fine Aggregates+ Water):

Properties of cement concrete are: - concrete has high compressive strength but lower ten-
sile strength and it is usually reinforced with materials that are strong in tension. Every concrete

structure will crack to some extent, because of its shrinkage and tension.

Cement Bags & Its Storage at sites

Importance of proper storage of cement

The binding property and strength of cement depend upon its capacity for chemical reaction,

which can take place in the presence of water. Cement if not stored properly can absorb moisture

from the atmospheric air or any other source and react with it chemically. The strength of such
type of cement when used would be adversely affected to the extent such reaction would have
taken place.

For prevention of cement against deterioration and retaining its freshness its storage should be
such that no dampness or moisture is allowed to reach cement either from the ground, walls or
from the environment. This becomes particularly important during the humid season and in

coastal regions when atmospheric air contains higher amount of moisture in it.

Cement Godown at Site

In most construction projects godowns are constructed at site for storage of a few days require-

Participant Handbook : Masonry 32