KELVIN AUSTIN A.

LORIA

TEST FOR MORTAR

CE 413c

Mortar Testing
What is a MORTAR (MASONRY)?
Mortar is a workable paste used to bind construction blocks together and fill the gaps between them. The blocks may be stone, brick, cinder blocks, etc. 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. Mortar can also be used to fix, or point, masonry when the original mortar has washed away.

The following tests are conducted on the prepared mortars to ensure their quality: 1. Crushing Test 2. Tensile Strength Test 3. Adhesive Test 4. Setting Test 1. CRUSHING TEST: Brick masonry or stone masonry lay in mortar to be tested in crushed in compression testing machine. The masonry crushes gives the crushing strength to which suitable factor of safety may be applied to get the safe strength. Approximate safe strength of mason with few types of mortars are given below Burnt brick masonry in cement mortar 1:3 Burnt brick masonry in cement mortar 1:6 Burnt brick masonry in cement mortar (1 lime:3 sand) Burnt brick masonry in cement mortar (1:1:6 or 1:2:9) 2. TENSILE STRENGTH TEST: The mortar prepared is placed in a mould of bricket which has central cross-sectional area as 38 mm 38 mm. After curing the briquette [Fig. 2.3] is pulled under the grips of tensile testing machine. The ultimate load noted. Then the tensile strength of mortar is load divided by the central cross-sectional area. 750 KN/ sq. m 450 KN/ sq. m 450 KN/ sq. m 500 KN/ sq. m

TEST OF MORTARS

KELVIN AUSTIN A. LORIA 3. ADHESIVE TEST:

TEST FOR MORTAR

CE 413c

Two bricks are joined together with mortar to be tested as shown in Fig. 2.4. The upper brick is suspended from an overhead support. A board is hung from the lower brick. Then weights are added to the board till the bricks separate. The adhesive strength is the load divided by area of contact.

4. TESTING FOR SETTING: Mortar is tested in VICAT APPARATUS for the setting time. The test may conducted after one day, 3 days or 1 week depending on the type of lime mortar. For cement mortar, this test is conducted within 3 to 5 minutes of adding water.

TOOLS AND MACHINES FOR TESTING This section introduces products used to evaluate compression, tensile strength, soundness, expansion, and setting time of cement mortar.
Cube Mold Set The cube mold set is used to prepare 2 in. (51 mm) cube specimens of high strength materials for compression testing, such as lime, Portland cement, mortars, capping compound and gypsum. The three gang, in line mold is made from machined brass and employs polyethylene liners to contain the samples and eliminate mold clean-up. Supplied as a kit. Order C-23707 for replacement plastic liners. Applicable Standards: ASTM C 87, C 109, C 141, C 257, C 267, C 306, C 472, C 379, C 396 AASHTO T-106. Durham Geo also carries bronze and plastic cube molds, cube test sand, and tensile sand. Mortar Mixer The mortar mixer is used for mixing cement and mortar pastes. The heavy duty mixer has 3 operating speeds, lever to adjust the height of the 5 qt (4.73 L) bowl and a planetary mixing action to ensure thorough and complete mixing. Supplied complete with a stainless steel bowl, flat beater and a wire whip. Applicable Standards: ASTM C 305 AASHTO T-162

KELVIN AUSTIN A. LORIA

TEST FOR MORTAR

CE 413c

Length Comparator The Length Comparator allows measurement of the changes in length of cement/mortar and concrete test bar specimens. The instrument is provided with substantial rigidity through the use of a solid frame and cast steel base. The lower fixed anvil and the upper movable anvil are designed to accept the cast-in points of the specimen bars. The comparator includes a precision dial indicator and an Invar steel reference bar. Applicable Standards: ASTM C 151, C227, C 490, C 531, C 359 AASHTO T-107, T-160 Specimen Contact Points The precision machined, stainless steel Specimen Contact Points, 0.25 in. diameter and 0.75 in. long, are cast into the specimen cement bars. They are used as reference points when placed in the Length Comparator. Applicable Standards: ASTM C 151, C 151, C 227, C 490 AASHTO T-107, T-160

Cement/Mortar Autoclave The Cement/Mortar Autoclave is used to conduct accelerated soundness test or autoclave expansion test on cement mixtures. Designed to provide a constant steam pressure, adjustable between 60 to 350 psi (414 to 2413 kN/m2), at a constant temperature.

Test Specimen Holder The test specimen holder is used to hold bar specimens in an upright position when placed in the cement/mortar autoclave. It ensures that each of up to eight specimens are exposed to the pressurized steam in the same way. The holder is made from corrosion resistant materials. Applicable Standards: ASTM C 141, C 151 AASHTO T107

Bar Molds Bar molds produce standard sized specimens for accelerated soundness testing using the autoclave. Available in three types for 10 in. (25.4 cm) long bar specimens. Applicable Standards: ASTM C 141, C 151 AASHTO T-107 < Flow Table The flow table provides an efficient means of determining the flow of cement pastes and hydraulic cement mortars. A specific volume of material is molded on the table using the included flow mold. The mold is then removed and the table subjected to a specific number of 1/2 in. (12.7 mm) drops using the crank handle. The increase in average diameter of the sample indicates the flow. An electric model is also available.

KELVIN AUSTIN A. LORIA

TEST FOR MORTAR

CE 413c

Mortar Penetrometer The mortar penetrometer is used to determine the rate of hardening of the mortar component of fresh concrete. The mortar is extracted by sieving. Measurement is made by first attaching one of the six penetration needles to the calibrated spring dynamometer. The Penetrometer is then pushed into the sample and the sliding will indicate the maximum test reading on the handle stem. Blaine Air Permeability Apparatus The Blaine Apparatus is used to determine the fineness of Portland cement. The fineness is measured in terms of the specific area of cement expressed as total surface area in square centimeters per gram of cement. The apparatus consists of a stainless steel test cell incorporating a perforated disc and plunger with a ground joint for the test cell to attach to a calibrated U-tube manometer. A stopcock and rubber bulb are attached to the manometer to provide a means to draw a definite air volume through the test cell. It is supplied with an 8 oz (240 ml) bottle of red manometer fluid, filter paper, a wood block to hold the test cell during filling and a funnel. It is mounted on a finished wood panel. Applicable Standards: ASTM C 204 AASHTO T-153 Gilmore Apparatus The Gilmore Apparatus determines the time of set for cement. It comprises a rigid aluminum and steel frame with two precisely machined stainless steel points and associated weights. Applicable Standards: ASTM C 91, C 141, C266, C 266 AASHTO T-154

Portable Mixers Portable Mixers are used in the laboratory to prepare concrete or cement/mortar batch mixes. They have a dry batch capacity of 3 cubic feet (85 L). Optional wheel kit available to move mixer about laboratory. Inquire as to other models available as special orders from 1-1/2 to 9 cubic ft. and powered by either electric motor or gasoline engines.

Masonry Saw The C-825, Electric Masonry Saw, accepts a 14-in diameter blade with a 1-in diamater arbor. The saw can be used for wet or dry cutting of concrete, cores, blocks, rock and masonry. A 5 hp gasoline engine version is also available.