North Carolina General Contractors Practice Exam

When assessing the quality of mortar, which factor is generally crucial?

1. Color stability

2. Workability

3. Adhesion to brick

4. Resistance to freeze-thaw cycles

The correct answer is: Adhesion to brick

When assessing the quality of mortar, adhesion to brick is crucial due to its fundamental role in the structural integrity and durability of masonry constructions. Mortar serves not only as a bonding agent that holds bricks together but also as a material that accommodates movements and stresses within the structure. Strong adhesion ensures that the mortar effectively transfers loads between bricks, reduces the likelihood of moisture infiltration, and helps prevent the degradation of both the mortar and the bricks over time. While factors like color stability, workability, and resistance to freeze-thaw cycles are important considerations for different aspects of mortar performance, they do not directly impact the core function of binding materials together as effectively as adhesion does. For instance, workability may influence how easily the mortar can be applied, but if the mortar does not adhere well to the brick, it will not perform its primary purpose effectively. Similarly, although resistance to freeze-thaw cycles is important for durability in certain climates, it becomes irrelevant if the adhesion is insufficient, leading to potential failure in the bond between the mortar and the bricks. Thus, adhesion to brick stands out as the most critical factor in assessing mortar quality.