Common problems and analysis of mortar in application

In the field of construction, mortar, as an indispensable building material, is widely used in masonry, plastering, floor paving and other links. However, in the actual application process, mortar often has some problems, affecting the quality of the project and the progress of construction.

Insufficient strength is one of the common problems of mortar. This may be caused by improper selection of cement grade, unreasonable control of water-cement ratio, poor aggregate grading, uneven mixing and other reasons. For example, if the water-cement ratio is too large, the mortar will increase the porosity after hardening and reduce the strength.

Poor workability of mortar is also common. Workability includes fluidity, water retention and cohesion. If the workability is not good, the construction operation is difficult and stratification and segregation are prone to occur. Excessive coarseness of fine aggregate, insufficient amount of cementitious materials, and failure to add appropriate admixtures may all cause this problem.

Shrinkage cracking also troubles construction personnel. During the drying process of mortar, water loss leads to volume shrinkage. When the shrinkage stress exceeds the strength of the mortar itself, cracks will occur. Excessive cement consumption, excessive aggregate particle size, improper maintenance and other factors may all contribute to shrinkage cracking.

In addition, substandard durability is also a problem that cannot be ignored. During long-term use, mortar may be affected by freeze-thaw cycles, chemical erosion and other effects. If the raw material quality is poor and the mix ratio is unreasonable, it will be difficult to resist these damages and shorten the service life of the building.

To solve the above problems, construction personnel need to strictly control the quality of raw materials, accurately control the mix ratio, standardize the construction process, and do a good job of maintenance. Only in this way can the performance advantages of mortar be fully utilized to ensure the quality and safety of construction projects.