Experimental Investigation on Bonding Characteristics of Low-Strength Mortars Used to Repoint the Joints of the Damaged Historical Masonry Structures
Tomme: LVII (LXI) Fascicle: 2 | 2011
Pages: 59-68
Abstract text:
Masonry represents the oldest building material in the history. The rehabilitation of a damaged building involves knowledge about the building material’s properties, the execution technology, the elaboration of the rehabilitation project and, also, theoretical knowledge about the strength calculus of the rehabilitated structure. All these are required in order to assess the bearing capacity. With the view to determine the strength and deformability characteristics of the old masonry (made from bricks and “bound” with low-strength mortars), this paper proposes an analysis concerning the mechanical characteristics of the component materials and proposing a new method for testing the mortar adhesion to the “masonry stone” (bricks). The test method involves determining the maximum tensile stress applied by a direct load at right angles to the surface of the mortar. The strength of a mortar can vary. If mixed with higher amounts of portland cement, a harder mortar is obtained. The more lime that is added, the softer and more plastic the mortar becomes, increasing its workability. A mortar strong in compression might be desirable for a hard stone, whereas a softer, more permeable lime mortar, would be preferable for a historic wall of soft bricks. Three different mix proportions were considered in the experimental investigation, made with different binders (lime based, clay based, combination between lime and cement) and one standard cement mortar (for comparison).
Key Words:
mortar; masonry; adhesion; pull-out strength; shear strength.
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