Authors: Graça Vasconcelos, Rafael Ramirez, Paulo B. Lourenço

Accurate characterization of historic mortars is essential for the conservation and restoration of masonry structures, ensuring compatibility with original materials and preventing long-term damage caused by inappropriate repair mortars. Historic mortars are heterogeneous materials whose properties reflect original construction practices and subsequent environmental exposure. This study presents an integrated characterization of a late 19th-century mortar from the Land Management Building of the Lviv National University of Environmental Management (Dubliany), Ukraine. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to identify binder and aggregate phases. Density, open porosity, and compressive strength were determined using hydrostatic and double punch tests on small specimens. The results highlight the effectiveness of a multi-analytical approach for reliable identification of historic mortar properties.

Graça Vasconcelos | Rafael Ramirez | Paulo B. Lourenço
ISISE– Instituto para a Sustentabilidade e Inovação em Engenharia de Estruturas, Departamento de Engenharia Civil,
Universidade do Minho, Portugal