Mortar preparation is a very important part of building construction, which is related to the quality and safety of buildings. This article will introduce in detail the raw materials, proportions, preparation process, and other aspects of mortar preparation, and focus on how to ensure the quality and performance of mortar preparation.

Raw materials for mortar preparation

Mortar material is a bonding material made by mixing cement, sand, water, and other raw materials in a certain proportion. Cement is the main component of mortar materials, and its main components are silicate, aluminate, and gypsum, which can be obtained by calcining raw materials such as limestone and clay.

Sand refers to natural mineral particles with a particle size between 0.063mm and 2mm, mainly river sand, mountain sand, etc. Its function is to fill the gaps between cement particles and increase the consistency and viscosity of mortar. Water is a solvent for mortar materials, and forms cement gel by reacting with cement to play a bonding role.

Determination of Mortar Proportion

The ratio of mortar is a very important step in the preparation of mortar, and the quality of the ratio is directly related to the performance indicators such as the strength and durability of the mortar. Generally speaking, the proportion of mortar is proportioned according to the volume ratio of cement, sand, and water. The specific proportion should be determined according to the type and quality of sand and other factors. Commonly used mortar ratios are as follows:

• 1:2:8 means 1 part of cement, 2 parts of sand, and 8 parts of water.
• 1:3:9 means 1 part of cement, 3 parts of sand, and 9 parts of water.
• 1:4:10 means 1 part of cement, 4 parts of sand, and 10 parts of water.

Mortar preparation process

The process of mortar preparation mainly includes the steps of weighing, mixing, and stirring raw materials. The concrete preparation process is as follows:

1. Put the pre-prepared cement and sand into the mixer according to the ratio.
2. Start stirring, first mix the sand and cement evenly, then gradually add water, and continue stirring until the mortar material reaches a state of uniformity, fineness, and no particles.
3. Put the prepared mortar material into the barrel, level the surface with a batch scraper, and tap the wall of the barrel to make it compact.
4. Mortar materials need to be stored for some time after preparation so that they can fully hydrate and enhance their strength and stability.

Guarantee the quality and performance of mortar preparation

To ensure the quality and performance of mortar preparation, the following aspects need to be paid attention to:

1. Select high-quality raw materials. The selection of raw materials such as high-quality cement and sand can ensure the performance and quality of the mortar after preparation.
2. Accurate ratio. The accuracy of the ratio directly affects the strength and stability of the mortar, so it is necessary to strictly follow the ratio.
3. Control the hydration reaction of cement. The hydration reaction of cement is the key to the hardening of mortar. Excessive water will lead to the loosening and cracking of cement gel, thus affecting the performance of mortar.
4. Reasonable stirring time. Too short a stirring time will lead to incomplete gelation of the cement in the mortar material, affecting its strength and stability; too long a stirring time will cause the water in the mortar material to evaporate, thereby affecting its fluidity and viscosity.
5. Strictly control the construction environment of mortar. During mortar construction, it is necessary to control the ambient temperature and humidity to avoid excessively high or low temperature and too high or too low humidity, which will affect the hardening and performance of the mortar.

Matters needing attention in mortar preparation

When preparing mortar, the following aspects need to be paid attention to:

1. Select the appropriate mortar ratio. According to the use and requirements of the mortar, select the appropriate ratio to ensure its strength and stability.
2. Choose the appropriate type of cement. According to the use and requirements of the mortar, choose the appropriate cement variety to ensure its strength and stability.
3. Accurately weigh raw materials. The weighing of raw materials needs to be accurate to ensure the proportion and performance of the mortar.
4. Control the amount of cement and the amount of water added. The amount of cement and the amount of water added need to be controlled within an appropriate range to ensure the strength and stability of the mortar.
5. Pay attention to the mixing time and speed of the mortar. The mixing time and speed of the mortar need to be controlled within an appropriate range to ensure the uniformity and fluidity of the mortar.
6. Strictly control the construction environment. The construction environment needs to be kept dry, clean, and suitable for temperature and humidity to ensure the hardening and performance of the mortar.

Mortar preparation is an indispensable step in building construction, and its quality and performance directly affect the quality and safety of buildings. Therefore, when preparing mortar, it is necessary to strictly follow the ratio and process requirements, select high-quality raw materials, control the amount of cement and water added, pay attention to the mixing time and speed of the mortar, and strictly control the construction environment to ensure that the mortar quality and performance. Only in this way can the quality and safety of the building be guaranteed.

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