Bulk Density of Mortar

4 min read
13 February 2023

What Is Density?

The density of a material is defined as the mass of weight or volume per unit. Alternatively, it's a quantitative measure of the mass that is contained in one volume. The standard unit of density refers to the kilogram per meters cubed (kg/m3 or pounds/ft3).

Density can also be expressed by grams of cubic centimeter (gm/cm3). The typical drinking water contains a density that is one gm/cm3 at temperatures of 4 degrees.

This is equivalent to 1 kg/1000cm3. The conversion of kg/m3 into gm/cm3 can be done by simply multiplying by 0.001. In the same way, gm/cm3 converts to kg/m3 by multiplying it by 1000.

Sometimes, density can also be measured in non-conversion unit tons per cubic meter grams per cubic inch and pounds per cubic feet.

Also Read: I Beam Vs H

Bulk Density of Mortar

Based on how much dry bulk of mortar mortars are divided into two categories,

Heavy Mortar: It's made from quartz that is heavy in weight. The Mortar is heavy. Mortar has an average bulk density of over 1500 kg/m3.

Lightweight Mortar is made from sand that is lightweight. It has the bulk density of lower that 1500 kg/m3.

Density of Cement

Cement is among the primary ingredients in the concrete mix. Cement acts as a binding and filler material in concrete that is able to hold all aggregate, and it also binds sand. There are generally two kinds of cement that are used in construction.

1. OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement)

2. PCC (Pozzonala Portland Cement)

The most common materials used in cement manufacturing include limestone, shells, chalk that has been mixed with shale blast furnace slag as well as silica sand.

The cement density is 1440 kg/m3 while its specific gravity is about 3.15.

Also Read: Live Load Vs Dead Load

Density of RCC

Reinforced cement concrete (RCC) is used to improve the strength of concrete's tensile. Concrete is strong for compression, but is not strong in tension. Therefore, in order to add strength for concrete's tensile the mild steel bars are encased inside concrete.

Its density RCC is maintained high so that it can build the proper strength from the concrete. Because density is measured according to the degree of compactness, RCC needs to be properly compacted and no gaps left.

Density of RCC has been set at 2500 kg/m3 which is 25 KN/m3 according to the guidelines.

Density of PCC

The factors that affect the strength of concrete include the aggregate density and air content, as well as water content, and cement content as determined by the size of the largest aggregate. Concrete tends to offer a variety units of weight.

It is not much different from RCC in density, the densities of Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) is 2400kg/m3 or 24KN/m3. The density of PCC measured by 24KN/m3 density allows PCC useable as a concrete foundation.

In the table above, the density PCC is listed in various models.

Sand Density

Around 35% of concrete is made up of sand. To ensure that concrete is good quality, it must be made through careful mixing of cement, coarse and fine aggregates water, admixtures, and fine aggregates depending on the need to get the best quality and economic.

The densities of natural sand are 1.71 kg/m3 that is used in construction and has an F.G. of approximately 2.65. The natural sand used in concrete is a concrete with an F. M. value of approximately 5.24.

Another alternative to Natural Sand is Manufactured Sand M-Sand is a sand that was manufactured with the mass weight that is 1.75kg/m3 and a specific gravity of of 1.75kg/m3 and the fineness modulus of 2.73 and 4.66 and 4.66, respectively.

Standard Relative Aggregate Density

The average aggregate relative density could be defined as the amount of mass multiplied by an equivalent amount of liquid, such as water.

So, Relative Density = Aggregate mass / weight for the same amount of water

Aggregates that are used for general construction are in variations of 2.4-2.9 with the weight density of 2400-2900 kg m3.

Also Read: Concrete Non Destructive Testing

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Maddison Davis 2
At CivilJungle, we clarify civil engineering and publish all the happenings & news of civil engineering.
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