Mineralogical, Textural, and Physical Characterization of Lime Mortars

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Crystallography and Physical Chemistry of Minerals & Nanominerals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 10971

Special Issue Editor

Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18002 Granada, Spain
Interests: mineralogy; building materials; lime; mortars; earthen materials; additives; aggregates; durability; architectural heritage

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mortars are artificial building materials made using one or more binders, aggregates, and other secondary components (such as additives and admixtures). Lime mortars, in particular, have been used in construction since ancient times with very different functions, from structural to protective and decorative. The versatility of mortars is strictly linked to the components and dosages used during their manufacturing, and also to the application methods employed, which, together, confer on them very different features and properties. Due to this variability in characteristics, investigating ancient mortars and understanding their deterioration processes are often complex tasks. This Special Issue aims to collate research dealing with the study of historical and modern lime-based mortars by means of chemical, mineralogical, and microscopic analytical techniques, as well as physical and mechanical tests.

We welcome research focused on investigating the technology of historical mortars (e.g., identification of mortar components, determination of the binder-to-aggregate ratio, and mortar dating), as well as studies on the decay products and deterioration mechanisms suffered by ancient mortars. Physical studies on the water transfer behavior of mortars aimed at understanding their durability toward specific decay agents and environmental conditions are also welcome, as well as studies focused on the mechanical properties of mortars. Special attention will be paid to papers focused on the development and adoption of new methodologies for the characterization of lime mortars.

Dr. Anna Arizzi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • dry-hydrated lime/aerial lime
  • hydraulic lime
  • sand
  • pozzolans
  • organic additives
  • lime lump
  • binder-to-aggregate ratio
  • carbonation process
  • hydraulic reactions
  • calcite
  • portlandite
  • gehlenite
  • hydrated calcium silicates

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 6764 KiB  
Article
Optical and Electronic Microscope for Minero-Petrographic and Microchemical Studies of Lime Binders of Ancient Mortars
by Emma Cantisani, Fabio Fratini and Elena Pecchioni
Minerals 2022, 12(1), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12010041 - 28 Dec 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2179
Abstract
In this paper, the advances in the use of optical and electronic microscope for study of the minero-petrographic and microchemical features of lime binders of ancient mortars are discussed for various case studies. Mortars belonging to several historic periods and with different functions [...] Read more.
In this paper, the advances in the use of optical and electronic microscope for study of the minero-petrographic and microchemical features of lime binders of ancient mortars are discussed for various case studies. Mortars belonging to several historic periods and with different functions in building structures and archaeological sites were selected in order to verify the complementarity of optical and electronic microscope analyses applied to these artificial materials. The data obtained with the application of optical and microscope analyses were able to provide detailed and more precise information on the composition, structure, and texture of lime binders, highlighting the features of air hardening calcitic lime binder, air hardening magnesian lime binder, natural hydraulic lime binder, and air hardening binders with materials providing hydraulic characteristics added. Furthermore, a complete analysis and classification of the lime lumps was determined. Full article
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12 pages, 4144 KiB  
Article
Characterization and Analysis of the Mortars in the Church of the Company of Jesus—Quito (Ecuador)
by M. Lenin Lara, David Sanz-Arauz, Sol López-Andrés and Inés del Pino
Minerals 2021, 11(7), 781; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11070781 - 19 Jul 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5566
Abstract
The Church of the Company of Jesus in Quito (1605–1765) is one of the most remarkable examples of colonial religious architecture on the World Heritage List. This church has multiple constructive phases and several interventions with no clear record of the entire architectural [...] Read more.
The Church of the Company of Jesus in Quito (1605–1765) is one of the most remarkable examples of colonial religious architecture on the World Heritage List. This church has multiple constructive phases and several interventions with no clear record of the entire architectural site, including the historical mortars. A total of 14 samples of coating mortars inside the central nave were taken, with the protocols suggested by the research team and a comparative sample of the architectural group that does not have intervention. The analysis presented in this paper focuses on mineralogical characterization, semi-quantitative analysis by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with microanalysis of the samples. The results showed the presence of volcanic aggregate lime and gypsum, used in lining mortars and joint mortars. Mineralogical and textural composition data have allowed the mortar samples to be relatively dated. Full article
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16 pages, 8479 KiB  
Article
Bond Properties of NHL-Based Mortars with Viscosity-Modifying Water-Retentive Admixtures
by Tomáš Žižlavský, Patrik Bayer and Martin Vyšvařil
Minerals 2021, 11(7), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11070685 - 25 Jun 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2124
Abstract
This article studies the influence of biopolymeric viscosity-modifying admixtures with water-retentive function on the physico-mechanical properties of natural hydraulic lime-based mortars and their adherence to the traditional fired-clay brick substrate. The use of admixtures increases the water/binder ratio, which in turn leads to [...] Read more.
This article studies the influence of biopolymeric viscosity-modifying admixtures with water-retentive function on the physico-mechanical properties of natural hydraulic lime-based mortars and their adherence to the traditional fired-clay brick substrate. The use of admixtures increases the water/binder ratio, which in turn leads to a decrease in the strength of the mortars. The viscosity-modifying function improves the adhesive strength between mortar and pre-wetter brick by increasing the binder paste viscosity, while the water-retentive function along with increased water content may lead to a decrease in adhesive strength. On the contrary, water retention and increased water content are beneficial on a dry surface, while paste viscosity plays only a minor role. When subjected to temperature-varying cycles, the mortars are more prone to in-mortar failure during the pull-off test. The air-entraining function of some admixtures improves the frost resistance of the mortars; however, it would negatively affect the adhesive strength by incorporating pores into the contact zone between the mortar and brick substrate. This study showed that the use of some of the studied admixtures may improve the adhesion of mortar to the brick substrate. Full article
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