Table of Contents
Mud mortar may be defined as a mixture of sand, water, and clay, where cow dung is used as binding material. Mud mortar is prepared by the mix of Mud/ Soil with water, and sand at the ratio of 1:5, and 1:6.
Mud mortar is prepared by mixing sand and clay in the required proportion that when they are blended with water, they should not be any hairline cracks after drying. In this mortar, the stone should not be added to the mixture to neglect cracks on walls. To result in a better-plastered surface, a small amount of hydrated lime, bitumen, and cow dung are kept.
Mud mortar can’t withstand water-resistant as Portland cement and requires a roof over it to prevent it from rain. It needs routine maintenance from time to time.
It has low tensile strength and is subject to shrinkage.
1. Preparation of Mud Clay
The preparation of mud clay is as follows:
1. Blend the soil, clay, water, and straw together.
2. Tramp it or stir it well.
3. Let the mixture percolate for a week.
4. Keep the sand to that mixture (and lime if required).
5. Keep the ingredients onto an old sheet of plastic and tramp it or stir it again.
6. Now keep your mortar in the middle of layers of stones.
7. Firstly, you’ll get a rough finish. So after the mortar has dried completely, go round and add pointing. You can do this by rubbing or troweling more mortar into the space between the stones, and then cleaning off the excess with a wet sponge before it gets dries.
2. Uses
The uses of mud mortar are as follows:
a. It is used as a waterproofing coat.
b. It also enhances the beauty of a building.
c. It maintains the temperature inside the building.
d. It is used where cheap construction of buildings is needed.
3. Advantages of Mud Mortar
The disadvantages of mud mortar are as follows:
a. It is extremely malleable and offers better insulation than steel, and, concrete structures
b. It decentralizes the construction process because it utilizes local material and technology and thereby obviates the need for a contractor.
c. It is cheaper than that of other mortar. The cost of construction can be decreased by 22%.
d. It is eco-friendly.
e. It is well resistant to fire and temperature insulation.
4. Disadvantages of Mud Mortar
The mud mortar is as follows:
1. One of the disadvantages of mud mortar is the occurrence of shrinkage cracks on drying.
2. Routine maintenance is needed.
3. A structural mesh that holds the soil together.
4. It can’t withstand weather agencies.
5. It can be easily damaged during storm.
| Read Also: Through Stone |
