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Define mortar in brief

Short answer

Mortar is a workable paste of binder (cement, lime, or mud), fine aggregate (sand, surkhi), and water, used to join masonry and for plastering. It is prepared by dry-mixing binder and sand, then gradually adding water to form a uniform paste and using it within 30 minutes for cement mortar.

What is mortar? How is it prepared (formed)?

Mortar is a workable paste obtained by mixing a binding material (cement, lime or mud) with fine aggregate (sand, surkhi or cinder) and water. It is used to join masonry units such as bricks and stones, and for plastering and pointing. After setting it hardens into a solid mass.

How it is prepared

  1. Measure the binder and sand in the required ratio by volume (for example, cement:sand = 1:4).
  2. Mix them dry on a clean, watertight platform until the colour is uniform.
  3. Add clean water little by little, turning the mass until a uniform paste of workable consistency is obtained.
  4. Use the mortar before it starts to set (within about 30 minutes for cement mortar).

Lime mortar is made by grinding lime and sand in a mortar mill or tank mill with water; mud mortar from clay soil and water.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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