Papers by Keyword: Lime Mortar

Abstract: Seismic events recently occurred in Europe highlighted the vulnerability of unreinforced masonry structures, representing the majority of the built heritage, to earthquake-induced loads. In particular, the in-plane capacity of shear walls under seismic loadings appeared sensibly modest, both in terms of strength and ultimate displacement, and their failure mode sudden and brittle. Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) composites proved to be a proper strengthening solution for the seismic upgrade of such walls. With the aim of gaining a deeper knowledge on the behavior of historical walls retrofitted with TRM and subjected to compression-and-shear, this paper summarizes the results of an experimental campaign characterized by quasi-static cyclic shear-compression tests. The specimens under study reproduced the rubble stone masonry typical of vernacular structures of the UNESCO historical district of Lyon (France). Specifically, the work concerns a full scale masonry wall tested under loading until the development of diagonal cracks and than repaired by a composite constituted by a basalt textile embedded in a lime mortar matrix applied onto the external surfaces as a plaster. The use of a lime mortar plaster to reinforce the structural element permits the development of a solution compatible with the historical substrate. Experimental outcomes revealed how Basalt TRMs succeeded in improving the response of damaged vernacular wall, both in terms of strength and displacement capacity.

Abstract: Oils, e.g. linseed oil, has been used as mortar admixtures or components of lime-oil mastic since ancient times. The reason was either to increase the mortar durability and/or to prolong the mortar/mastic workability. Historic mortars are conventionally analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis, but these methods are not able to detect the organic compounds directly. The goal of the present research was to evaluate the applicability of thermal analysis, infra-red spectroscopy, solid state NMR spectroscopy and gas chromatography for detection and possible quantification of linseed oil in prepared mortar containing, beyond the oil, just lime and calcite. Both applied spectroscopies were able not only detect the presence of oil but may be used also for study of the oil chemical transformation in the alkaline environment of the lime mortar. Thermal analysis is not able to identify kind of organic admixture, but when it is known that it is e.g. linseed oil, its quantification by help of Evolved Gas Analysis is very good. The results of gas chromatography of mortar’s extract are affected by the polymerization of oil in mortar. The total organic content analysis is providing good information about the total amount of organics in mortar. There in not any single method, which could provide all information about the oil admixture in mortar (kind of oil, content of oil, fate of oil after mortar’s mixing) by itself; the combination of techniques must be used.

Abstract: Lime based mortars rank to the oldest used building systems used by human civilization worldwide. These materials offer suitable properties for various applications; however its low resistance in moist environment is their significant weakness. Hence, they were modified by number of additives and admixtures. The flax oil was applied to historic mortars to achieve hydrophobization, additionally this additive has considerable influence on the properties of fresh mixture as well. This paper introduces an experimental study dealing with the influence of flax oil on the properties of fresh lime based mortars with various water-to-binder ratios. The results of rheology properties were accompanied by the determination of mechanical performance, basic shrinkage and bulk density of hardened mortars.

Abstract: In this study, the utilization of lava sand as an aggregate in lime mortars, cement-lime mortars and natural hydraulic lime mortars has been investigated. The aim of this study is to compare some physico-mechanical and microstructural properties of lava sand mortars with reference mortars with pure quartz sand. Compressive and flexural strengths were tested at mortar age of 28, 56 and 90 days. The results revealed improved flexural strengths of mortars with lava sand despite the fact that the mortars showed higher open porosity and water absorption than those with quartz aggregate. This fact predetermines the use of lava sand in non-hydrophobic remedial mortars with a high ability to salt accumulation from masonry. The applied lava sand is convenient to lime-based mortars as an aggregate, especially in regions where the lava resources are abundant.

Abstract: Indian architecture is a development of many distinct features which are inspired by its ancient vernacular techniques and the features brought by its migrants. It has attained the symbolism and importance due to its unique fusion of these building construction techniques. A comprehensive approach is necessary to understand and identify many examples of Indian architectural past to achieve the unique quality in the future of architecture. Using Eggs in the Building Finishing and Ornamentation work has been used extensively in different parts of India. Egg is an organic material which is sustainable and which has been passed on from generations. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the methods and techniques of using Eggs are documented to bring the awareness and propagate the use of this versatile material. The use of Egg waste as an additive to concrete has also been investigated.

Abstract: This paper studies the possibility of usage of chitosan derivatives (hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCH) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCH)) as admixtures for aerial lime-based mortars. The physical-mechanical properties were studied on the specimens prepared with constant water/binder ratio and binder/aggregate ratio 1:3 by weight using siliceous sand with the grain size up to 4 mm and doses of admixture ranging between 0.5 and 10‰. The properties were studied on the specimens up to 365 days. The addition of admixtures improves workability of mortar, but in the early stages also decreases strengths of mortars, especially the compressive strength. The addition of HPCH significantly reduces the bulk densities of specimens, while CMCH decreases them just slightly. With the increasing amount of time, the difference in strengths between reference and tested mortars decreases, reaching the similar values after 90 days of curing time. The further ageing causes additional growth of strengths with a significantly higher increase in the case of CMCH.

Abstract: Cellulose ethers (CEs) are widely used as viscosity enhancing, water retaining additives in cement based mortars. Nevertheless, studies about the effect of cellulose ethers on the properties of aerial lime-based mortars are very lack. The use of water retaining additives in lime mortars can influence not only their fresh state properties but also the pore structure and strength of hardened mortars. In this work, four different commercial cellulose ethers were added to lime mortars in order to test their influence on properties of mortars in the fresh state. Mortar rheological parameters (relative yield stress, consistency coefficient and fluidity index) were correlated with flow table tests, relative density measurements, water retention and air content in the mortars. It was found that CEs reduce the spread of lime mortars and increase air content in the mortars. The CEs are not so effective in water retention compared with other types of water retention agents. Most dosages of CEs change the behaviour of mortars from pseudoplastic to dilatant. In contrast to the effect of CEs in cement-based materials, their viscosity enhancing behavior in lime mortars is denied, due to the presence of large amounts of calcium hydroxide. From this point of view, the CEs are not so suitable to use as viscosity enhancing admixtures in lime mortars like derivatives of chitosan or guar gum.

Abstract: In this paper, the behaviour of fresh lime mortars modified by etherified derivatives of guar (hydroxypropyl guar (HPG), carboxymethyl hydroxypropyl guar (CMHPG) and native guar gum (GG)) is assessed with the purpose of exploring a new application of such derivatives as lime mortar admixtures. The rheological parameters (relative yield stress, consistency coefficient and fluidity index) and viscoelastic properties were correlated with flow table tests, relative density measurements, water retention abilities of mortars and air content in mortars. Results were seen to be strongly dependent on substituents of the guar. Non-ionic derivative (HPG) exhibited the biggest impact on the yield stress and elastic properties of the mortars. The ionic CMHPG showed the thickening effect. GG had low impact on water retention, while HPG and CMHPG displayed high water retention capability.

Abstract: Lime mortars represent indispensable building materials that have been used for centuries in civil engineering. Considering the necessity of numerous restoration work on historical buildings, a research of the applicability and suitability of various types of plasters for repairing the historical plasters has been developed. This work presents the applicability of limestone aggregate and limestone fines to aerial lime-based mortars. The role of aggregates on the properties of lime mortars is examined in this paper by comparing pure quartz sand and limestone aggregate and its quantity in the mortar. It was found that limestone aggregate produced the comparable or higher mortar strengths than quartz aggregate and slightly increased porosity, water absorptive capacity and carbonation rate of the mortars. Partially replacement of aggregate by limestone fines has caused dramatic growth in strength, especially in mortars with high content of binder. The applied limestone aggregate is convenient to lime-based mortars and the addition of limestone fines contributes to better mechanical properties of lime mortars.

Abstract: In the study, the bending behavior of high-performance fiber reinforced lime-based mortars is experimentally investigated using four-point bending test. From the experimental data, the influence of the mortar’s composition on its stiffness, cracking strength and ultimate strength are investigated. It is also studied, whether the response has strain-softening or strain-hardening character and whether the material exhibits multiple cracking. Such behavior is very important for the durability of the material, because it allows carrying load during imposed deformations (due to thermal effects, movements of foundations, seismicity, etc.). The number of formed cracks is examined using digital image correlation method. The mortar composition is considered with two types of binder (pure lime, lime-metakaolin), with two types of polyvinyl alcohol fibers in four volume fractions (0.5÷2.0%). As the reference, we consider two sets of specimens made of plain mortar without fiber reinforcement.