Solution:

Properties of Cement Mortar:

The following are the important properties of cement mortar:

1. When water is added to the dry mixture of cement and sand, hydration of cement starts, and it binds sand particles and the surrounding surfaces of masonry and concrete.

2. A mix richer than 1:3 is prone to shrinkage.

3. Well-proportioned mortar provides impervious surface.

4. Leaner mix is not capable of closing the voids in sand and hence the plastered surface is porous.

5. The strength of mortar depends upon the proportion of cement and sand. Strengths obtained with various proportion of cement and sand is shown in Table.

Uses of Cement Mortar:

1. It is used to bind masonry units like stone, bricks, cement blocks.

2. It is used to plaster slab and walls make them impervious.

3. It is used to give neat finishing to walls and concrete works.

4. It is used for pointing masonry joints.

5. It is used for preparing building blocks.

6. as a filler material in ferro cement works.

7. It is used to fill joints and cracks in walls.

8. It is used in plastering works to hide the joints and improve appearance.