Characteristics of bricks used in the domes of some historic bath buildings

Abstract

In this study, characteristics of bricks used in the domes of some historic bath buildings dated to 15th century in Izmir were determined in order to indicate the properties of repair bricks that will be used in the conservation works of the domes. For this purpose, their basic physical properties, elemental and mineralogical compositions, firing temperatures and microstructural properties were determined by using XRF, XRD, SEM-EDS and TGA analysis. Analysis results indicated that the bricks are of low density, high porosity and were produced from raw materials containing low amounts of calcium poor clays fired at low temperatures (< 900 °C). They are mainly consisted of small pores with r < 5 μm that make the bricks more susceptible to salt crystallization and freeze-thaw cycles. Although the bricks were fired at low temperatures and susceptible to salt crystallization and freeze thaw cycles, the structural systems of the domes remained without losing their integrity due to the moderate climatic conditions of Izmir. Repair bricks that will be used in the conservation works of the domes should be compatible with the original ones and produced from calcium poor clays by firing at low temperatures.