Mortar cubes are standard specimens used for testing the quality and strength of mortar, which is a mixture of cement, sand, and water used as a binding material in construction. Testing mortar cubes helps ensure that the mortar meets the required specifications for various applications, such as masonry, plastering, and tile setting. Here's an overview of the process of making and testing mortar cubes:
Mixing: The mortar constituents, typically cement, sand, and water, are mixed in specified proportions to achieve the desired consistency and strength. The mixing process should be thorough to ensure a uniform distribution of ingredients.
Casting: The mixed mortar is then poured into cube-shaped molds, typically measuring 50 mm × 50 mm × 50 mm (2 inches × 2 inches × 2 inches) or 70.6 mm × 70.6 mm × 70.6 mm (2.78 inches × 2
.78 inches × 2.78 inches). The molds are filled in layers, and each layer is compacted to remove air voids.
Finishing: Excess mortar is struck off from the top of the mold, and the surface is finished to ensure it's level and smooth.
Curing: After casting, the mortar cubes are allowed to cure under controlled conditions to promote hydration and strength development. Curing typically involves keeping the cubes moist and at a specific temperature for a defined period, often 7 or 28 days, depending on the testing requirements and standards.
Testing: Once cured, the mortar cubes are removed from the molds and subjected to compressive strength testing using a hydraulic or servo-controlled testing machine. The cubes are placed between the platens of the testing machine, and a gradually increasing compressive force is applied until failure occurs. The maximum load at failure is recorded, and the compressive strength of the mortar is calculated based on the cross-sectional area of the cube.
Testing mortar cubes helps ensure that the mortar mix meets the required strength specifications for its intended application. It's an essential quality control measure in the construction industry to verify the performance of the mortar mix and ensure the durability and safety of structures.
For educational purposes only. Please refer to standard manuals for the standard procedure.
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