---
title: "Uses of mortar"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 6
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:uses-of-mortar"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/uses-of-mortar
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Uses of mortar

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 6: Mortar

- Asked in: 2079 Bhadra, 2 marks
- 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/uses-of-mortar
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-6

## Question

Mention the uses of mortar.

## Short answer

Mortar binds bricks and stones in masonry and distributes loads. It fills joints for weather-tightness, and is used for plastering, pointing, flooring, bedding tiles, fixing frames, grouting and repair.

## Answer

Mortar is used:

1. To bind bricks, stones and concrete blocks into masonry and distribute loads evenly.
2. To fill the joints between masonry units and make walls weather-tight.
3. For plastering walls and ceilings and for decorative finishes.
4. For pointing masonry joints.
5. For flooring, bedding tiles and stone slabs, and damp-proof courses.
6. For fixing door and window frames, hold-fasts and fixtures.
7. For grouting, repairing cracks and as a levelling screed under floors.

## Check yourself

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

1. What is the primary function of mortar in masonry?
   A. Bind masonry units together and distribute loads evenly
   B. Carry all tensile forces in the wall
   C. Act only as a decorative coat
   D. Replace the need for bricks in walls
   Answer: A. Mortar binds bricks/stones/blocks and spreads loads evenly. (Key point: Binding role)

2. Which use of mortar is for finishing exposed masonry joints?
   A. Grouting of cracks only
   B. Pointing
   C. Bedding of reinforcement
   D. Screed for roofs
   Answer: B. Pointing finishes the joints of masonry with mortar. (Key point: Pointing and plastering)

3. Mortar is used in flooring mainly for
   A. Making the floor reinforcement
   B. Producing steel sections
   C. Bedding of tiles and stone slabs and as a base screed
   D. Seasoning timber floors
   Answer: C. Mortar beds tiles/slabs and forms the screed base. (Key point: Floors and bedding)

## 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

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