TY  - JOUR
AU  - Ban, Cheah Chee 
AU  - Ramli, Mahyuddin 
PY  - 2010
TI  - Optimization of Mix Proportion of High Performance Mortar for Structural Applications
JF  - American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
VL  - 3
IS  - 4
DO  - 10.3844/ajeassp.2010.643.649
UR  - https://thescipub.com/abstract/ajeassp.2010.643.649
AB  - Problem statement: Mortar mix is a major construction material in fabrication of ferrocement
structural elements. However, there have been scarce amount of technical data available on suitable mix
proportion to achieve structural grade mortar with specific strength requirement and adequate level of
workability for proper placement into construction formwork. Moreover, current practice in ferrocement
construction work which uses mortar mix with cement: sand ratio ranging between 1:1.5 to 1:2 incurs high
requirement of cement yet producing mix with suboptimum level of compressive strength. Approach: An
experimental investigation was carried out to evaluate workability and compressive strength properties of
structural grade mortar mixes with various cement: sand ratios ranging from 1:2.0-1:2.75 and varying
water/binder ratio between 0.35 and 0.50. Throughout the laboratory investigation, a total of 28 batches of
mortar mixes with various mix proportion were designed, cast and tested in accordance to relevant standards
of practice prescribed by British Standard Institute (BSI) and American Society of Testing Material
(ASTM). Results: At the end of the laboratory investigation program, high performance mortar mix with
compressive strength exceeding 55 MPa and slump level within 50-90 mm which is suitable for heavy duty
ferrocement construction work was successfully developed. Moreover, data on mix proportion for several
other grades of mortar mixes ranging from grade 35 to grade 55 were also derived. Conclusion: It was
found that optimum cement: Sand ratio of structural mortar is 1:2.25. With the use of this cement: Sand ratio
in the production of structural grade mortar mix in fabrication of ferrocement structural elements,
consumption of cement binder will be economized hence resulting in potential savings in term of material
and production cost of mortar mix in the construction industry. Besides, it was also observed that strengths
of mortar mixes do not vary linearly with cement content of the mix.