---
title: "Mud mortar versus cement mortar"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 6
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:mud-vs-cement-mortar"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/mud-vs-cement-mortar
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Mud mortar versus cement mortar

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 6: Mortar

- Asked in: 2081 Chaitra (new course), 2 marks
- Video: [Mortar and it's types](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdEIMjHyyv4) — Upasa System 
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/mud-vs-cement-mortar
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-6

## Question

How is mud mortar different from cement mortar?

## Short answer

Mud mortar uses clay soil as binder, is very cheap, low strength, dries by evaporation and is easily eroded by rain. Cement mortar uses Portland cement, is high strength, sets by hydration, is durable and water-resistant, and is used for permanent, load-bearing works.

## Answer

| Point | Mud mortar | Cement mortar |
|---|---|---|
| Binder | Clay soil | Cement |
| Composition | Mud, water (husk/straw sometimes) | Cement, sand, water (1:3 to 1:6) |
| Strength | Very low | High |
| Durability | Poor; washed out by rain | Good; resists weather |
| Setting | Dries by evaporation | Sets by hydration, quick |
| Water resistance | Not water resistant | Fairly impervious |
| Cost | Very cheap, locally available | Costly |
| Use | Temporary and rural low-cost buildings | Permanent, load-bearing and wet-place works |

## Check yourself

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

1. Mud mortar hardens by:
   A. Hydration
   B. Carbonation
   C. Fusion
   D. Drying by evaporation
   Answer: D. Cement sets by hydration. (Key point: Setting)

2. Strength of mud mortar is:
   A. Very low
   B. High
   C. Equal to cement
   D. Very high
   Answer: A. Cement is high. (Key point: Strength)

3. Which is water resistant?
   A. Mud mortar
   B. Cement mortar (fairly impervious)
   C. Both equally
   D. Neither
   Answer: B. Mud is washed out by rain. (Key point: Water resistance)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Cement and mud mortar properties, uses](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Acement-mud-mortar-properties-uses) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6
- [Cement mortar versus lime mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Acement-vs-lime-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6
- [Stepwise preparation of cement mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Astepwise-preparing-cement-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6, asked 4×
- [Precautions while applying cement mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aprecautions-applying-cement-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6, asked 3×
- [Steps of applying cement mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Asteps-applying-cement-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6

## Related in other subjects

- [Detailed specification of cement sand mortar 1:4](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Adetailed-spec-cs-mortar-1-4) — Construction Management, chapter 12, asked 2×
- [Detailed specification of cement sand mortar 1:6](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Adetailed-spec-cs-mortar-1-6) — Construction Management, chapter 12, asked 2×
- [Preparing cement mortar by manual process](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Amortar-prep-manual) — Building Technology, chapter 3, asked 2×
- [Mortar properties; cement and sand for 10 cum](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Amortar-quantity-10cum) — Building Technology, chapter 3