Influence of aggregates grading and water/cement ratio in workability and hardened properties of mortars

Mortar is the material responsible for distribution of stresses in masonry structures. Knowledge about the fresh and hardened properties of mortar is fundamental to ensure a good performance of masonry walls. Water/cement ratio and aggregates grading are among several variables that influence physical and mechanical behaviour of mortars. An experimental program is presented in order to evaluate the influence of aggregates grading and water/cement ratio in workability and hardened properties of mortars. Eighteen compositions of mortar are prepared using three relations cement:lime:sand, two types of sand and three water/cement ratios. Specimens are analyzed through flow table test, compressive and flexural strength tests. Results indicate that the increase of water/cement ratio reduces the values of hardened properties and increases the workability. Besides, sands grading has no influence in compressive strength. On the other hand, significant differences in deformation capacity of mortars were verified with the variation of the type of sand. Finally, some correlations are presented among hardened properties and the compressive strength.This work was partly supported by contract DISWALL - "Development of innovative systems for reinforced masonry walls" - COOP-CT-2005-018120 from the European Commission. The first author was supported by the Programme Al beta an, the European Union Programme of High Level Scholarships for Latin America, Scholarship No. E06D100148BR