1. What is This Calculator For?

This calculator determines the amount of cement and sand needed for brickwork mortar in Malaysia. It uses standard Malaysian construction practices for mortar mixing.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses these formulas:

Where:

• Mortar volume — Total volume needed (in cubic meters)
• Ratio — Cement to sand ratio (e.g., 1:4 ratio is entered as 4)
• 1.33 — Standard factor for mortar calculation
• 1440 — Density of cement (kg/m³)
• 1600 — Density of sand (kg/m³)

Explanation: The calculation accounts for the specified mix ratio and converts the volume to weight using standard material densities.

3. Importance of Accurate Calculation

Details: Proper calculation ensures you have the right amount of materials, preventing wastage or shortage on site. Accurate ratios affect mortar strength and workability.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total mortar volume needed in cubic meters and the desired cement:sand ratio (e.g., for 1:4 mix, enter 4). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical cement:sand ratio for brickwork?
A: Common ratios are 1:3 to 1:6 depending on the application. 1:4 is typical for general brickwork.

Q2: Why are the densities fixed at 1440 and 1600 kg/m³?
A: These are standard values for cement and sand used in Malaysian construction calculations.

Q3: How do I estimate mortar volume for a wall?
A: Mortar volume ≈ Wall volume × 0.25 (for standard bricks with 10mm joints). More precise calculations consider brick size and joint thickness.

Q4: Does this account for wastage?
A: No, you should add 5-10% extra to account for wastage during mixing and application.

Q5: Can I use this for other types of mortar?
A: This is specifically designed for standard cement-sand mortar in brickwork. Other mixes (e.g., with lime) require different calculations.