Abstract
In traditional and historical Algerian architecture, one can find a series of mortars that were used for grouting and coating masonry. Although Algeria has a very rich heritage park, our interest mainly focuses on the mortars used in buildings from the Ottoman period, in Algiers and in particular, the mortars of the Citadel of Algiers, the Casbah and villa Mahieddine. This study allows us to determine the physical properties of a selection of mortars and identify their chemical and mineralogical composition. The chemical and mineralogical analyses showed that the studied mortars of the Ottoman period in Algiers contain raw materials in their composition, namely sand, lime, crushed brick and a few additions, such as natural adjuvant. These mortars are made according to specific proportions of binder (lime) and aggregates (sand). For jointing mortars, the proportion is one-part lime to one and a half to two parts sand (1 to 1.5 - 2), whereas for finishing mortars, it is one-part lime for two to three parts sand (1 to 2-3). The physical characteristics show significant porosity and absorption percentages for most of the mortar samples, with exception to MJ4 jointing mortar samples, taken from Villa Mahieddine and MC1 coating mortar samples, taken from the Powder House and Villa Mahieddine, where the percentages did not exceed 15% of water absorption and 27% porosity, respectively. Furthermore, the chemical analysis of the samples showed increased levels of the following oxides SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3, which confirm the hydraulic nature of the mortars. Key words: Algiers, characterisation, chemical and mineralogical composition, lime mortars, physical properties.
Highlights
IntroductionKnowing the characteristics of materials, is an important source of information for understanding the historical and archaeological evolution of mortars, and towards finding a mortar with the characteristics similar to old mortar, which can be used in the restoration of historical monuments
Determining the concentration of free lime (CaO) is based on dissolving the sample in demineralised Water, which is titrated with hydrochloric acid (HCl), diluted to 5%, and using phenolphthalein as indicator, we can quantify the amount of free lime (CaO) expressed as a percentage
The sample of jointing mortar MJ4, has a lower percentage of water absorption (12.75%) and porosity (21.59%), than the MJ1 sample, which has a higher percentage of water absorption (20.18%) and porosity (31.89%)
Summary
Knowing the characteristics of materials, is an important source of information for understanding the historical and archaeological evolution of mortars, and towards finding a mortar with the characteristics similar to old mortar, which can be used in the restoration of historical monuments. The issue concerning the preparation of mortars for restoration purposes has become increasingly important. Mortars intended for the restoration of historic buildings must be compatible with the characteristics of the materials onto which they are to be applied or those that they are intended to replace (Rota Rossi, 1986). It is important that the mortar used during restoration and/or reconstruction operations, has the same morphological and physical characteristics, so that the new mortar does not differ too much from the old one (Ashurst, 1983)
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