Significance of Compressive Strength of Cement Mortar

What is Compressive Strength of Cement Mortar Cubes?

The compressive strength of cement mortar cubes or concrete is one of the most important and useful property. The compressive strength test is done on cement, when it is used as cement mortar and concrete.

Compressive strength of cement is determined by compressive strength test on cement mortar cubes compacted by means of a standard vibration machine. Standard sand (as per IS: 650) is used for the preparation of cement mortar cubes.

Hydraulic cement

Significance of Compressive Strength of Cement Mortar Cubes:-

1. The compressive strength of cement mortar cubes or concrete is one of the most important and useful property.
2. The compressive strength of cement mortars cubes is determined in order to verify whether the cement conforms to Indian Standard (IS, or other standards like ASTM, BS etc.) specifications and whether it will be able to develop the concrete of required compressive strength.
3. The compressive strength test is done on cement, when it is used as cement mortar and concrete.
4. As a construction material, concrete is employed to resist the compressive stresses. While, at locations where tensile-strength or shear-strength is of primary importance, the compressive strength is used to estimate the required property of cement mortar cubes.
5. The mixture of cement and sand in water is generally weak in tension but it is strong in compression when it is subjected to tensile tension with iron rods.  The mortar is used for plastering and brick masonry. The first case gives mortar heavy load in form of construction on it by placing bricks on mortar .that is why, it is important to know the strength of the mortar.
6. The strength of the binder (cement) therefore has a significant effect on the performance characteristics of the mixture of cement and sand and ensures the overall quality of the finished product.

Dependence of Compressive Strength of Cement Mortar Cubes:-

The mixture of cement and sand are in pre-defined ratios and the compressive strength of the mortar depend on the quality of the cement, the gradation of sand used in mixture and the water–cement ratio.

The compressive strength of cement mortar cubes depends on the strength and weakness of the mortar cube. If mortar cube is weak then the compressive strength of the mortar cube is also weak. If mortar cube is strong, then the compressive strength of the mortar cube will be high.

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Determination of Compressive Strength of Cement Mortar