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

# Gauged mortar in brief

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 6: Mortar

- Asked in: 2080 Baisakh, 0.5 marks; 2078 Bhadra, 1 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Mortar ! Brick masonry mortar ! Types Of Mortar !  Cement mortar ! lime Mortar !  Ration Of Mortar](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3mnTDYNrFw) — Smart Engineer
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/gauged-mortar
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-6

## Question

What is gauged mortar?

## Short answer

Gauged mortar is a composite of cement, lime, and sand (e.g., 1:1:6) that combines lime's workability and water retention with cement's early strength. It is economical, less prone to shrinkage, and used for brickwork and plastering.

## Answer

**Gauged mortar** (composite mortar) is made by mixing cement, lime and sand, in proportions like 1:1:6 or 1:2:9. Lime gives workability and water retention, and cement adds strength and early setting. It is economical, workable, less shrinkage-prone, and used for superstructure brickwork and plastering.

## Check yourself

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

1. Gauged mortar contains:
   A. Cement, lime and sand
   B. Cement and water
   C. Mud
   D. Gypsum and sand
   Answer: A. E.g. 1:1:6. (Key point: Composition)

2. Lime in gauged mortar gives:
   A. Early set
   B. Workability and water retention
   C. Colour
   D. Strength alone
   Answer: B. Cement adds strength. (Key point: Lime role)

3. Gauged mortar is used for:
   A. Foundation under water only
   B. Mud walls
   C. Superstructure brickwork and plastering
   D. Fire lining
   Answer: C. Economical, less shrinkage. (Key point: Use)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Define mortar in brief](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Adefine-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6, asked 4×
- [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×

## 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