M. R. Veiga

Characterization of decorative Portuguese gypsum plasters from the 19th and 20th centuries: the case of the Bolsa Palace in Oporto

Teresa Freire’s PhD research is being supported by the scholarship SFRH/BD/40128/2007 from Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT). The authors would like to thank technicians Susana Couto and Paula Menezes from the Materials Department and Ana Maria Francisco from the Buildings Department of LNEC, for their support in the execution of the experimental work.

Characterization of Renders and Plasters from a 16th Century Portuguese Military Structure: Chronology and Durability

In coastal areas of Portugal, many historical buildings and fortresses still exist that were constructed in masonry with aerial lime mortars. These mortars are often found to be in good condition, showing appropriate cohesion and adhesion to the background, although usually they show surface degradation as a result of the aggressive marine environment. The aim of this paper is to present and characterize the mortars used for the renders and plasters of one of these fortresses, that of Nossa Senhora da Luz which was constructed and modified over several centuries. The study of the mortars permitted to identify a construction period chronology improving the knowledge of the changes in formulation of the aerial lime mortars thus allowing to select compatible repair solutions.

The importance of SEM-EDS analysis in the study of old mortars

Materials Department, National Laboratory of Civil Engineering, Av. Brasil 101, 1700-066 Lisbon, Portugal, padriano@lnec.pt, ssilva@lnec.pt Buildings Department, National Laboratory of Civil Engineering, Av. Brasil 101, 1700-066 Lisbon, Portugal, rveiga@lnec.pt Geosciences Department and Geophysic Center of Evora, University of Evora, R. Romao Ramalho 59, 7000-671 Evora, jmirao@uevora.pt Chemistry Department and Chemistry Center of Evora, University of Evora, R. Romao Ramalho 59, 7000-671 Evora, candeias@uevora.pt