Generating water/binder ratio -to- strength curves for cement mortar used in Masnory walls

In this paper, influence water/binder ratio on the hardened state properties of cement mortar was investigated after 28 days curing period as assigned by ACI Standard. From the results, empirical equations have been generated evaluating the strength of cement mortar mixes with various water/binder (w/b) ratios. It was deduced that Abram's law is valid most of cement mortars established. The cement mortar consists of ordinary Portland cement with 15% partially replacement by silica fume, fine aggregate (sand) with varying portions of 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6 and different water binder ratios ranged from 0.4 to 0.8. From results, a relationship between split tensile strength and compressive strength of cement mortar has been reached. Furthermore, it was observed, from the results; that a reduction in compressive and tensile strength of cement mortar, while, increasing the water-to-binder ratio higher than 0.5 in case of cement: sand of 1:3. While, this effect was deduced at water-to binder ratio of 0.7 when using cement: sand of 1:4, 1:5, and 1:6. It is concluded that the optimized water-to-binder ratio required for achieving workable cement mortar was mainly based on cement: sand portions. Moreover, empirical equations were generated to predict the relevant compressive and tensile strength to the w/b ratio and cement: sand ratio for practical. The predicted values revealed a good agreement with the experimental results observed.