1. What is Mortar Calculation?

Mortar calculation determines the quantities of cement and sand needed for brickwork construction. Accurate calculation ensures proper bonding strength and avoids material wastage.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses these formulas:

Where:

• 1.33 — Dry volume factor (accounts for voids in sand)
• 1440 — Density of cement (kg/m³)
• 1600 — Density of sand (kg/m³)
• Ratio — Cement:Sand proportion (e.g., 1:4 ratio means 4 parts sand to 1 part cement)

Explanation: The formulas calculate the dry volume of materials needed based on the wet mortar volume and specified mix ratio.

3. Importance of Accurate Mortar Calculation

Details: Proper mortar calculation ensures structural integrity, prevents material shortages or excess, and helps control construction costs.

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 ratio, enter 4). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the 1.33 factor in the formula?
A: This accounts for the dry volume of materials needed to produce 1 m³ of wet mortar, considering voids between sand particles.

Q2: What are common cement:sand ratios?
A: Common ratios are 1:3 (rich mix) to 1:6 (lean mix), with 1:4 being typical for general brickwork.

Q3: How do I estimate mortar volume?
A: Mortar volume depends on brick size and joint thickness. A rough estimate is 0.03 m³ per m² of wall area for standard bricks.

Q4: Why different densities for cement and sand?
A: Cement particles are much finer and denser than sand particles, hence the different bulk densities.

Q5: Does this account for wastage?
A: No, you should add 5-10% extra to account for spillage and other losses during mixing and application.