Analysis of Historic Lime and Gypsum Plaster Floors—Part Two

Abstract

The survival and continued use of historic lime and gypsum plaster flooring is commonplace in certain parts of the United Kingdom, and yet it remains almost unknown elsewhere in the country. The potential for loss and damage to such floors, whether through ignorance or indifference, is great and has prompted a study of this traditional form of construction in order to engender a greater interest and promote more appropriate forms of repair or reinstatement. The second part of this paper considers the sampling and analysis of historic plaster floors, presents the results of simple and sophisticated forms of analysis, together with the results of compressive strength testing of new plaster floor mixes, and considers aspects of repair and maintenance.