Durability of organic blended lime mortar and its shear bond strength in brick masonry

Abstract

Durability of historical structures is one of the most significant parameters that is appreciable and is of utmost importance. From studies conducted earlier it has been witnessed that the lime mortar used in these structures is embedded with organic additives that has enhanced the different properties of the mortar. Therefore, understanding the behaviour of these additives and their impact on the durability of the mortar is of significance use. To witness the effect of an additives on the mortar, jaggery, egg, and jute are taken as organic additives in the present study. To determine the durability properties of these organic-based lime mortar, acid attack, alkali attack, and wetting and drying tests has been performed. Further, the bond strength of these organic lime mortar in brick masonry has been examined by performing a triplet test. According to the sulphuric acid attack test, the lime mortar with jute as an additive has shown the best results with only a 5% loss in strength which is 23 % in lime mortar without any additive. In the alkali resistance test also, jute has shown exceptional behaviour with a strength loss of 1.5% which is 22% in lime mortar without additive. In the triplet test, the shear bond strength of jaggery-based mortar is 27.77% higher than the mortar without additive, hence showing the best result in the shear bond test. These results can be used in the studies conducted to repair and reconstruction of our heritage structures that need to be revived.