---
title: "Define mortar in brief"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 6
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:define-mortar"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/define-mortar
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Define mortar in brief

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 6: Mortar

- Asked in: 2081 Bhadra, 1 marks; 2068 Chaitra, 1 marks; 2072 Chaitra, 1 marks; 2071 Chaitra, 1 marks (asked 4 times)
- Video: [Mortar: How It's Made and All Its Uses](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt5gGeDn030) — History of Simple Things
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/define-mortar
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-6

## Question

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

## 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.

## Answer

**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.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Mortar is a paste of:
   A. Cement and coarse aggregate
   B. Sand and gravel only
   C. Binder, fine aggregate and water
   D. Binder only
   Answer: C. Used to join masonry units. (Key point: Definition)

2. Binder and sand are measured:
   A. By colour
   B. By hand
   C. At random
   D. By volume in required ratio
   Answer: D. E.g. 1:4. (Key point: Ratio)

3. Lime mortar is made by:
   A. Grinding lime and sand with water in a mortar mill
   B. Mixing cement and water
   C. Burning clay
   D. Mixing mud only
   Answer: A. Mud mortar uses clay soil and water. (Key point: Lime mortar)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Surkhi mortar in brief](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Asurkhi-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6, asked 2×
- [Gauged mortar in brief](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Agauged-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6, asked 2×

## Related in other subjects

- [Functions and properties of mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Amortar-functions-properties) — Building Technology, chapter 3