Rosário Veiga

Using fine recycled concrete aggregate for mortar production

This research assessed the performance of mortars in which recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) was a component. It replaced natural sand but kept the same particle size distribution. Three mortars were produced with replacement ratios of 20%, 50% and 100% as well as a reference mortar containing no recycled aggregate. The compressive and flexural strength, water absorption by capillarity, drying capacity and susceptibility to cracking of these mortars were analyzed first. Then, based on these results, the most satisfactory replacement ratio was chosen and the following properties were analyzed: water retentivity, shrinkage, adhesive strength, modulus of elasticity, and water vapor permeability. Somewhat surprisingly the best results in the first stage occurred for 20% and 100% replacement ratios, leading to a cautious choice of the 20% ratio for the second stage. Generally the mortar with 20% replacement ratio performed better than the reference mortar, except for adhesive strength and dimensional stability.

Microstructural Characterization of Consolidant Products for Historical Renders: An Innovative Nanostructured Lime Dispersion and a More Traditional Ethyl Silicate Limewater Solution

The conservation and durability of historical renders must be carried out through compatible techniques and materials. An important operation is the restitution of historical renders cohesion, turned friable by the loss of binder, usually due to physical and/or chemical actions. Surface consolidation is based on the use of materials with aggregating properties. This operation is reached usually through the application of organic or mineral consolidants, but inorganic consolidants are becoming preferred due to better compatibility and durability. In this article two mineral compatible consolidation products were studied: a commercial suspension of calcium hydroxide nanoparticles in propanol and a limewater dispersion of ethyl silicate. Microscopy (optical and scanning electron microscopy) and X-ray microanalyses of the consolidation products and of the consolidated mortar specimens were carried out. To assess the mechanical properties and products efficacy, analyses of the compression, flexural strength, and superficial hardness were performed. Microscopy results show that limewater dispersion of ethyl silicate forms platelike silica gels, which can interfere in product penetration. Otherwise, nanolime particles permit homogeneous distribution and optimum penetration on the treated substrate, improving cementing action and the agglomeration process.

Mortars Made with Fine Granulate from Shredded Tires

Changing lifestyles over the past few decades have brought about an increase in the types and volume of waste. Nowadays, waste is considered one of the world’s main problems. The incorporation of waste in structural and nonstructural elements has therefore been studied, primarily in renders. However, data are scarce on the influence of using rubber aggregates from shredded tires in mortars. This work presents a performance-based analysis to test the viability of using these modified mortars for wall coatings. It presents unprecedented analyses of some durability-related properties and the influence of the crushing process in the overall performance of mortars incorporating rubber. Even though the results show, as expected, that the incorporation of rubber particles is detrimental to both compressive and flexural strength, those changes do not impair its use as renders under normal conditions. Furthermore, the incorporation of rubber leads to a significant reduction of the modulus of elasticity of the mortar. The added rubber also improves its impact-resistance characteristics and some other durability characteristics of these modified mortars compared with those of conventional mortars, which shows that this could be a future viable alternative for wall coatings.

Air lime mortars: the influence of calcareous aggregate and filler addition

Many historical buildings with renders based in air lime still exist in Portugal. These old mortars have proved to be durable and reliable materials. However, new lime mortars prepared nowadays to be used in conservation practice, often present low strength in comparison with cement mortars. This paper presents a study of the viability of improving the performance of lime mortars through the use of different nature aggregates (Tagus River siliceous sand and crushed calcareous sand) as well as different size distributions, varying the filler contents. For that purpose a set of mortars with volumetric proportion of 1:3 (lime:aggregate), using siliceous sand from Tagus river or calcareous sand and including different volume percentages of aggregate replacement by filler (0% of incorporation, 5% of incorporation, 10% of incorporation), were prepared. An evaluation of the main characteristics of this set of mortars was made in terms of: i) hygric behaviour (water absorption by capillarity), and ii) mechanical resistance (flexural and compressive strength and elastic modulus). This study aims to assess the viability and possible advantages of using calcareous aggregate in lime mortars and to evaluate the possibility of improving characteristics through a better compaction obtained by the incorporation of different ratios of filler.

Consolidation and chromatic reintegration of historical renders with lime-based pozzolanic products

Abstract Historical renders are exposed to several degradation processes that can lead to a wide range of anomalies, such as scaling, detachments, and pulverization. Among the common anomalies, the loss of cohesion and of adhesion are usually identified as the most difficult to repair; these anomalies still need to be deeply studied to design compatible, durable, and sustainable conservation treatments. The restitution of render cohesion can be achieved using consolidating products. Nevertheless, repair treatments could induce aesthetic alterations, and, therefore, are usually followed by chromatic reintegration. This work aims to study the effectiveness of mineral products as consolidants for lime-based mortars and simultaneously as chromatic treatments for pigmented renders. The studied consolidating products are prepared by mixing air lime, metakaolin, water, and mineral pigments. The idea of these consolidating and coloring products rises from a traditional lime-based technique, the limewash, widely diffused in southern Europe and in the Mediterranean area. Consolidating products were applied and tested on lime-based mortar specimens with a low binder–aggregate ratio and therefore with reduced cohesion. A physico-mechanical, microstructural, and mineralogical characterization was performed on untreated and treated specimens, in order to evaluate the efficacy and durability of the treatments. Accelerated aging tests were also performed to assess consolidant durability, when subjected to aggressive conditions. Results showed that the consolidants tested are compatible, effective, and possess good durability.

Characterization of Portuguese Historical Gypsum Mortars: A Comparison between Two Case Studies

The use of gypsum plaster for interior covering of walls and ceilings in the Portuguese architecture was particularly expressive in the period between the XVIII and the XX century. However, information about this important heritage is almost inexistent, which is leading to a fast loss of important patrimony. In this paper, the results of the characterization of gypsum plaster samples belonging to two buildings from the same historical period (end of the XIX century and beginning of the XX), situated in distant geographical regions of Portugal are presented and discussed. XRD, TGA-DTA, optical microscopy and SEM-EDS observations were used for the chemical and microstructural characterization. Some physical and mechanical properties, such as capillary absorption, dynamic elasticity modulus and compressive strength were also determined and a relationship between the characteristics observed in the samples and the technology associated to their use and application on site, as well as the possible existence of regional influences on all these aspects, are discussed.

Characterization of Ancient Pozzolanic Mortars from Roman Times to the 19th Century: Compatibility Issues of New Mortars with Substrates and Ancient Mortars

The use of pozzolanic mortars is widespread, as natural pozzolans coming from South America to Europe and Japan were often incorporated in lime mortars to ensure a pozzolanic reaction and enable the capability of mortars to harden under water (Heikal 2000 ; Holmes and Wingate 1997 ; Moropoulou et al. 1998 ). Their use was especially prominent during the existence of the Roman Empire, when opus signinummortars were used throughout the occupied territories, wherever there was a lack of natural pozzolans; there is evidence that similar mortars incorporating crushed ceramics were employed in other locations such as Syria (Ingo et al. 2004) or Turkey (Degryse et al. 2002 ). Pozzolanic mortars continue to be used nowadays and examples of current applications of lime and crushed ceramic mortars are Surkhi in India and Homra in Egypt.

Application Protocol for the Consolidation of Calcareous Substrates by the Use of Nanolimes: From Laboratory Research to Practice

Abstract Calcareous materials such as limestone and lime-based mortars, widely used in the Built Heritage, are often subjected to degradation processes that can lead to loss of cohesion and material loss. Consolidation of these materials with liquid products via the surface is a common practice; however, the most used consolidation products (e. g. TEOS-based) show a poor physical-chemical compatibility with calcareous substrates. For application on calcareous materials, the so-called nanolimes, i. e. dispersions of lime nanoparticles in alcohols, are an alternative to TEOS-based products, thanks to their chemical compatibility with lime-based substrates. Nanolimes can help to recover a superficial loss of cohesion. However, their in-depth consolidation effect is not always satisfactory. Previous work has shown that a better deposition of lime nanoparticles in depth can be achieved by adapting the properties of the nanolime dispersion (kinetic stability and evaporation rate) to the moisture transport properties of the substrate, through optimization of the solvent. In this paper, freshly synthetized nanolimes were dispersed in pure ethanol and/or in binary mixture of ethanol (95 %) and water (5 %). These nanolimes were applied on Maastricht limestone and on a lime-based mortar by capillary absorption (method commonly used for laboratory tests) and by nebulization (method widely used in situ). The aim of this research is to fill the gap between laboratory tests and on site application, providing an application protocol for restorers and professionals in the field. The research shows that results obtained by application by capillary absorption do not always correspond to those obtained by nebulization. This fact should be considered when deciding on the use of a consolidation surface treatment in practice.

Wastes as Aggregates, Binders or Additions in Mortars: Selecting Their Role Based on Characterization

The production of waste has increased over the years and, lacking a recycle or recovery solution, it is forwarded to landfill. The incorporation of wastes in cement-based materials is a solution to reduce waste deposition. In this regard, some researchers have been studying the incorporation of wastes with different functions: aggregate, binder and addition. The incorporation of wastes should take advantage of their characteristics. It requires a judicious analysis of their particles. This research involves the analysis of seven industrial wastes: biomass ashes, glass fibre, reinforced polymer dust, sanitary ware, fluid catalytic cracking, acrylic fibre, textile fibre and glass fibre. The main characteristics and advantages of each waste are enunciated and the best type of introduction in mortars is discussed. The characterization of the wastes as particles is necessary to identify the most suitable incorporation in mortars. In this research, some wastes are studied with a view to their re-use or recycling in mortars. Thus, this research focuses on the chemical, physical and mechanical characterization of industrial wastes and identification of the potentially most advantageous type of incorporation.

Inorganic nanomaterials for restoration of cultural heritage: synthesis approaches towards nano-consolidants for stone and wall paintings

The synthesis of inorganic nanostructured materials for the consolidation of stone and wall paintings is reviewed. To begin, a description of the methods most commonly used to prepare nanoconsolidants is provided, particularly in the frame of colloid chemistry. Some concepts of the carbonation mechanism as well as the transport properties of some of these materials are addressed. An overview of the synthesis methods together with some of the application particularities of the distinct consolidants are presented thereafter. Furthermore, the requisites for efficient consolidants and some drawbacks of the nanoconsolidants are discussed.