Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya Polytechnic College, Coimbatore - 641 020

  Types of Mortar Construction of any structure in the architectural world is incomplete without a binding material. Any building article - bricks, stones, tiles, etc. would need a securing paste or mortar. Mortar is an indispensable part of the construction process as it fills the gap between the building blocks. The basis of using different types of mortar depends on the application, the density, and the purpose.   What is Mortar Mix?   Generally, mortar in construction is a mix of water, binding material, and fine aggregate (sand or surkhi). The ratio of the ingredients in the different types of mortar mix depends on the kind of masonry material used, the compression strength required, and the final application. Mixing mortar varies depending on the final application of the same.   Different Types of Mortar    1. Cement Mortar           As the name suggests, the binding material is cement in this classi...

  Mild Steel Low carbon steel or mild steel offers excellent cold-forming capabilities, remarkable ductility and weldability, and great impact strength. Due to these characteristics, mild steel is simpler for machining using CNC machines than other forms of steel. It has 0.16 wt % and 0.29 wt % of carbon content and a relatively high melting point . Because mild steel has a high melting point and is more ductile under heat, it is perfect for forging, drilling, welding, and other fabrication procedures. The manufacturing of mild steel is simple. Steel is heat treated to enhance the carbon content uniformly. When the carbon content increases, steel becomes tougher but less ductile. This indicates that the metal becomes brittle and may fracture rather than bend when an external load is applied. Types of Mild Steel There are different types of mild steel, each with its unique properties and characteristics as listed below. (a) Hot Rolled Mild Steel:  This type of mild steel is pro...

What are bricks ? Bricks are a type of building material typically made of concrete, sand, lime, or clay. They are generally used to construct walls, pavements, and other types of architecture. Bricks can be produced in a variety of shapes and types depending on the materials used to make them and the use for which they are intended. It is because of their sturdiness, strength, and fire resistance, that they continue to be a popular building material.   Different types of bricks Here are some of the different types of bricks :   1. Sun-dried bricks These are made by moulding wet clay mixed with straw or other fibres and then allowing them to dry in the sun. Sun-dried bricks are not as strong and durable as fired bricks, but they are cheaper to produce and are commonly used for temporary structures.   2. Burnt clay bricks These bricks are strong, durable, and come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colours. They are made by moulding wet clay and then firi...

Steps of Foundation Construction 1. Site Clearance Remove trees, bushes, debris, and top loose soil. Level the ground. 2. Setting Out (Layout) Mark building lines on ground using center line method. Use pegs, lime powder, and string. 3. Excavation Dig trenches as per foundation depth and width. Excavation depends on soil type and load. 4. Dressing & Levelling Bottom of trench is leveled and compacted. Soft soil removed and replaced. 5. Anti-Termite Treatment Chemical sprayed at trench bottom and sides. Prevents termite attack. 6. PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) PCC (e.g., 1:4:8 or 1:3:6) laid at trench bottom. Provides firm and level base. 7. Footing Construction Stone footing / RCC footing constructed. For RCC footing: Place shuttering Fix reinforcement Pour concrete

Slump Test  1. Zero Slump (0-25mm) Description: Very stiff concrete mix, almost no slump. Use in Construction: Pavements and Roads: Concrete for pavements or curbs where little or no flow is needed. Precast Concrete Elements: Used for making products like beams, columns, or blocks that require high strength and minimal settlement. Foundations (Mass concrete): For foundations requiring minimal shrinkage and controlled compaction. Grouting: Used for grout mixtures in certain structural applications. Tunnels and Underwater Construction: High-density, stiff mixes where precise placement is critical. 2. True Slump (50-100mm) Description: Moderate slump indicating a workable concrete mix. Use in Construction: Slabs and Beams: Ideal for general structural concrete works like beams, slabs, and columns in buildings. Foundation Walls: For creating strong foundation walls where some flowability is needed for proper settling. Concrete Roads and Driveways: Most commonly used in road...

Fine aggregate , typically sand or crushed stone, refers to granular material with particles smaller than 4.75 mm (passing a #4 sieve) used in construction to fill voids, improve concrete's workability, density, strength, and finish, by creating a dense, compact mix with coarse aggregates. Essential properties include particle size (fineness modulus), shape, cleanliness, and specific gravity, with sources like natural river sand, crushed rock, or gravel.  Key Characteristics Size : Particles pass through a 4.75 mm sieve but are retained on a 75-micron sieve (or #200 sieve). Composition : Usually silica (quartz) but can be other minerals; must be clean and free from clay, silt, or organic matter. Fineness Modulus : A measure of average particle size, typically 2.3 to 3.1 for concrete.  Role in Concrete Void Filling: Fills the gaps between larger coarse aggregates, increasing density and reducing porosity. Workability : Makes concrete easier to mix, place, and finis...

Cement is a crucial binder in construction, primarily used to make concrete and mortar for building everything from homes, bridges, and dams to roads, floors, and precast elements like pipes, providing strength, durability, waterproofing, and fire resistance for foundations, walls, roofs, and decorative finishes.  Core Applications (Mortar & Concrete) Mortar :  Mixed with sand and water for bricklaying (masonry), plastering walls, and pointing joints. Concrete :  Combined with aggregates (sand, gravel) for structural components like foundations, columns, beams, slabs, roofs, staircases, and roads.  Engineering & Infrastructure Large Structures : Dams, bridges, tunnels, harbors, water tanks, cooling towers, and lighthouses.Pavements: Highways, footpaths, driveways, and sports courts. Precast Items : Pipes, drainage sewers, fence posts, railway sleepers, and lamp posts. Specialized UsesWaterproofing: Essential for watertight floors, basements, and ...

The physical properties of cement include fineness, setting time, strength, and soundness, while its chemical properties are defined by the main compounds (Bogue's compounds) that react with water in a process called hydration. Physical Properties of Cement  These properties determine how cement performs during mixing, placing, and hardening.   Fineness : This refers to the particle size of the cement. Finer cement has a larger surface area, which increases the rate of the hydration reaction, leading to faster strength gain.Consistency: This is the ability of the cement paste to flow and be workable when mixed with water. It is measured by the Vicat test to determine the optimum water-cement ratio for a mix. Setting Time : This is the time required for the cement paste to change from a fluid to a rigid state.Initial setting time is when the paste begins to stiffen noticeably (typically around 30-45 minutes).Final setting time is when the cement has largely hardened...