DESIGNS ON MORTAR
 Architects and building designers are constantly
on the look out for a design solution that can combine aesthetic
appeal and longevity. They often seek cutting edge construction
designs and look for materials which can underpin their creative
vision.
The finish on a building project is a key component to the overall
design solution and a critical element in this process is the choice
of mortar used. Steve Broomfield, technical mortar expert at leading
global building materials company CEMEX UK, points out some of the
factors to consider when making your mortar choice and predicts
increasing flexibility for designers as mortars move towards a
strength based specification.
When specifying an appropriate mortar for a building project, two of
the primary concerns for the building designer/architect will be the
cosmetic and aesthetics of the building’s visual impact, alongside
the technical specification and expected performance of the product
to be used.
Taking the technical aspect first, the design should in all cases
seek to specify an appropriate mortar strength to match the intended
structural detail and use of the building. The choice of mortar used
below ground for example will be governed by factors such as brick
and block selection and the sulphate conditions and will typically
require a Class 1 of Class 2 mix. Above ground, key considerations
will include the degree of exposure and load bearing whilst at the
same time making sure that the design detailing reflects an
appropriate marriage of mortar and brick strength in conjunction
with movement joints.
Again, typical specification will see a class three strength mortar
mix chosen above ground and this is the case in over 90% of all
building construction. Class 3 will provide a minimum of 2.5N/mm2 of
strength at 28 days.
With technical accuracy and subsequent performance of a mortar mix
so important, it is the case that a factory produced mortar,
developed and produced to a certain specification, will provide an
overall guarantee of performance consistency. Leaving the production
of the mortar to a mix produced on site can lead to variables in mix
quality and uniformity and an inevitable impact on subsequent
performance characteristics.
Recent developments in the mortar market have seen the start of a
move towards more flexibility in terms of mortar strength
performance. Driven by European classifications, mortar is set to
follow the road taken by concrete and start to become available in
wider strength categories. This move in terms of product development
will allow greater freedom and flexibility for the building designer
who will be able to specify by strength class and thereby hope to
support more innovative designs and creations, which the current
class one or class three mortar mixes cannot always accommodate.
Whilst giving the creative drive behind the building increased
design flexibility, wider mortar strength choices also put more onus
on architects and designers to specify the appropriate strength
mortar for the construction they intend to create. In such
instances, it makes sense to work in partnership with a specialist
mortar supplier to achieve the desired performance outcome.
Turning to the second crucial mortar element within the architect’s
overall concern – how the building will look? – it is clear that the
cosmetic characteristics of mortar play an integral role in the
final look of a building. Indeed, some 10% of a building’s visual
impact with regard to the masonry area is made up by the mortar
content.
Simply looking at a small sample of selected mortar will not give a
truly representative and accurate impression of its use on a large
scale and it is imperative that any proposed mortar choice should
always be viewed in sample panels to help gauge its overall impact
when utilised in a much bigger area.
The trend in recent years has seen a return to the use of more
natural looking materials and this has been replicated in the mortar
market. Increasingly, specifiers are asking for more muted and
neutral colour mortar schemes and while previous decades saw a
fairly even split between the use of natural and coloured mortars,
recent years have seen neutral colour effects come more to the fore.
However, there is also the ongoing growth in the use of varied brick
and block designs and this demands an equally flexible range of
coloured mortars to complement them. Stunning visual effects can be
created with coloured mortars that will enhance a design and still
provide the necessary technical performance that will be required.
Again, it is advisable to seek the assistance of mortar experts who
can help support the design process and help the specification of
the correct colour for the job whether it’s working on a new build
or trying to match the mortar characteristics of a listed building
that encompasses lime mortar.
Mortar is but one element that goes into producing the overall look
and technical performance of a construction. It is the glue that
holds the designer’s creation together and sits alongside the other
materials to deliver the final overall visual impression. Its
technical and aesthetic impact should not be underestimated when the
architect’s vision is being formulated and the correct choice of
strength and colour will only add to what the designer hopes will be
a distinctive, long-lasting and memorable building project.
E-Mail:
elizabeth.young@ext.cemex.com
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