( Reaffirmed 1997 )

Indian Standard

PREPARATIONANDUSEOFMUD INMASONRY -GUIDE

UDC 691532 : 6932

MORTAR

0 BIS 1991

BUREAU
MANAK

OF
BHAVAN,

INDIAN

STANDARDS
ZAFAR MARG

9 BAHADUR SHAH NEW DELHI 110002

July

1991

Price Growp 1

Building Construction

Practices Sectional Committee,

BDC 13

FOREWORD Ihis Indian Standard was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized by the Building Construction Practices Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering Division Council. One of the strategies of the new housing policy is to promote use of locally available low cost building materials. As both material and skill for mud mortar are locally available, its use in brick masonry will be a small step towards saving scarce material like cement which is also energy intensive and keeping the cost of construction on lower side. Further, mud mortar being thermal insulating material, helps in saving energy cost during usage of dwelling. This standard is intended to serve as a guide in selecting proper type of raw material proper method for preparation and use of mud mortar for quality construction. and using

IS 13077: 1991

Indian Standard

PREPARATIONANDUSEOFMUDMORTAR GUIDE INMASONRY1 SCOPE

1.1 This standard covers the selection of clay for mud mortar, methods of its preparation and use in masonry.

2 REFERENCES 2.1 The Indian Standards listed in Annex A are necessary adjuncts to this standard. 3 TERMINOLOGY 3.1 For the purpose of this standard, given in IS 2809 : 1972 shall apply. 4 SELECTION MORTAR definitions

5.2 The bond between the mortar and masonry units if ruptured by the volumetric changes and the structural movements results not only in reduction in strength of masonry but also in formation of channels of seepage of water and other solutions into the masonry. This would aggravate the process of deterioration and affect resistance to chemical attack in aggressive environment. 5.3 The compressive and bond strength of mud mortar decreases with the increase in moisture content in it. The compressive strength decreases by 08 to 1 N/mm at 6-10 percent moisture content ( see Fig. 1 ).
SOIL CLAY SILT SAND 20*2 A 1.

OF CLAY FOR MUD should premechanical

4.1 The clay or mixture of clays ferably conform to the following composition.

117* 8 */a 32.0 10

Grain size analysis shall be done in accordance 6;: the methcd given in IS 2720 (Part 4 > : Clay 18-22 percent by weight Silt 40-45 per cent by weight Sand 30-40 percent by weight 4.2 The total content of clay and silt be preferably not less than 60 percent by weight.
NOTE - In case clayey than the should be blended plastic materials the mechanical specified limits. of soils which are more sandy or limits specified above, the same with more plastic clay or nonas the case may be so as to bring composition within the above

MOISTURE CONTENT (PERCENT) FIG. 1 STRENGTH OF MUD MORTAR AT DIFFERENT MOISTURE CONTENTS

4.3 Plasticity

Index

The plasticity index shall be determined in accordance with the method given in IS 2720 ( Part 5 ) : 1970 for large and important projects and it should range between 12-15. However, in case of projects of lesser importance and smaller size, the field test as given in 7 may be sufficient. 5 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 5.1 The durability of masonry mortars depends upon the volume changes during the process of setting, hardening and later due to temperature variations, moisture movement in the surrounding, changes in its own moisture content and the extent to which mortar will internally accommodate the stresses induced by these volumetric changes before yielding.

5.3.1 Moisture to the extent of 5 to 8 percent by weight is likely to penetrate in the mud mortar even after plastering or pointing the exposed surface of masonry. 5.3.2 Since the mud mortar is susceptible to weathering, mud mortar masonry may be used for temporary structures and low rise structures having adequate lateral stability. 5.3.3 Basic stress in masonry with bricks of 7 to 10 N/mm2 and 3.5 N/mm? shall not exceed 02 N/mm2 and 01 N/mm2, respectively. 5.3.4 Thickness of mud mortar should not be more than 20 mm in case of brick masonry works and 30 mm in case of stone masonry works.

fS 13 077 : 1991 5.3.5 The

masonry should preferably be plastered or pointed by cement or lime mortar externally to avoid erosion of mortar from joints.

5.3.6 Concentrated load should be distributed by providing plain concrete or RCC bed blocks or by using cement mortar masonry below the concentrated loads.
NOTE - For mud mortar zones refer 1s 4326 : 1976. construction in seismic

kneaded. The kneaded mass shall than be left for Tempering for at least 24 hours with the soil being prefeGbly covered with wet gunny bags. 6.4 Immediately before use in the masonry a small quantity of the prepared soil shall be mixed with a further quantity of water to obtain the desired consistency and workability. The total moisture content of the prepared mortar shall be in the range of 35 to 40 percent by weight of soil. 7 FIELD TEST 7.1 For quick field observation and intermittent checks, sample test as given in Annex B may be made. 7.1.1 If the ball prepared as given in Annex B has deformed on drying and crumbles easily when pressed lightly, it may be inferred that sand content is excessive. 7.1.2 If the ball is hard but shows cracks on the surface, then the sand content is insufficient. 7.1.3 If the soil is not found suimble, as inferred above, the test should bs repeated after modifying the composition of the soil, such as by mixing different proportions of two soils or by addition of sand or clay whichever is needed, for checking the stability.

6 PREPARATION

OF MORTAR

6.1 The soil for preparation of mud mortar should be processed so as to be free from gravel coarse sand ( particle size greater than 2 mm ) lime and kankar particles vegetable matter, etc.

6.2 Coarse grit, karkar, etc, if present be removed by wet sieving.

should

6.3 The sieved clay should be allowed to dry and then blended with plastic clay or a nonplastic locally available material ( like rice husk, jute waste, wheat husk, etc ) as the case may be, so as to bring the mechanical composition within the limits specified under 4.1 above. Where wet sieving is not necessary, the soil shall be lightly broken up and wetted. The wet mass shall be tempered over under the feet, repeatedly turned over big spades and then thoroughly

ANNEX A ( Clause 2.1 )

LIST OF REFERRED IS No. Title INDIAN STANDARDS Title

IS No.

2720 ( Part 4 ) : 1986 2720 ( Part 5 ) : 1970

Method of test for soils: Part 4 Grain size analysis ( second

revision )

2809 : 1972

Method of test for soils: Part 5 Determination of and plastic limits liquid
(first revision )

4326 : 1976

Glossary of terms and symbols relating to soil engineering (first revision ) Code of practice for earthquake resistant design and construction of buildings
(first revision )

ANNEX B ( Clause 7.1 )

FIELD TESTS FOR SOIL FOR MASONRY B-l The soil should be ground to a fine powder

MUD MORTAR

and form into a ball of about 80 mm diameter. B-3 Keep the ball in the sun for drying. When dried, examine the ball for loss of shape and surface cracks, if any. 2

and mixed with sufficient water, added in small quantities. The mix should then be kneaded into a plastic mass of the required consistency.
B-2 Take

a handful

of the soil prepared

in B-l

Standard Mark The use of the Standard Mark is governed by the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2986 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder. The Standard Mark on products covered by an Indian Standard conveys the assurance that they have been produced to comply with the requirements of that standard under a well defined system of inspection, testing and quality control which is devised and supervised by BIS and operated by the producer. Standard marked products are also continuously checked by BIS for conformity to that standard as a further safeguard. Details of conditions under which a licence for the use of the Standard Mark may be granted to manufacturers or producers may be obtained from the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Boreao of India&Standards BIS is a statutory institution established under the Bureau of Indian Standard3 Act, I986 to promote marking and quality certification of harmonious development of the activities of standardization, goods and attending to connected matters in the country. Copyright
.

No part of these publications may be reproduced in BIS has the copyright of all its publications. any form without the prior permission in writing of BIS. This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type OF grade designations. Enquiries relating to copyright be addressed to the Director ( Publication ), BIS. Revision of Indian Standards Indian Standards are reviewed periodically and revised, when necessary and amendments, if any, are issued from time to time. Users of Indian Standards should ascertain that they are in Comments on this Indian Standard may be sent possession of the latest amendments or edition. to BIS giving the following reference : Dot : No. CED 13 (4688 ) Amendments Issued Since Publication Amend No. Date of Issue Text Affected

BUREAU Headquarters
:

OF INDIAN

STANDARDS

Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002 Telephones : 331 01 31, 331 13 75 Regional Offices : Central : Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg NEW DELHI 110002 Eastern : l/14 C.I.T. Scheme VII M, V.I.P. Road, Maniktola CALCUTTA 700054 Northern : SC0 445-446, Sector 35-C, CHANDIGARH 160036 600113

Telegrams : Manaksanstha ( Common to all OtBces ) Telephone 331 01 31 331 13 73

37 86 62 53 38 43 2350216

Southern : C.I.T. Campus, IV Cross Road, MADRAS

Western _ _. - : Manakalaya, E9 MIDC, Marol, Andheri ( East ) BOMBAY 400093 Branches : AHMADABAD. BANGALORE. BHOPAL. BHUBANESHWAR. COIMBATORE. FARIDABAD. GHAZIABAD. GUWAHATI. HYDERABAD. JAIPUR. KANPUR. PATNA. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

6 32 92 95

Printed at Swatantra Bharat Press, Delhi. India