Abstract
Mortars from the cistern in Amaiur Castle (Navarre, Spain) were analysed to assess the mortar manufacturing process and application techniques. To this end, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman microspectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were performed. The study of both structural and plaster mortars from Amaiur Castle cistern show patterns/rules in the mortar manufacture according to the specific construction requirements. A multilayer application technique was used for the construction of the cistern tank. Deliberate selection of the aggregate nature and grading contributed to mortar impermeability. Ceramic and silico-aluminous rock fragments were used as aggregates in the cistern tank to confer hydraulicity to the mortars, instead of carbonated aggregates as used in the vault. Aluminosilicated phases present in the aggregates led to the formation of amesite, which is a magnesium aluminosilicate hydrate (M-A-S-H) phase conferring hydraulicity to the mortar. Two types of additives were identified in the outer pigmented layer of plaster. Beeswax was the identified organic additive used to improve the impermeability of mortar, while hematite was the identified inorganic additive giving rise to the reddish colour of the layer.
Highlights
Cisterns have been essential structures for water storage since the Neolithic period to guarantee a regular and independent water supply in regions with water shortages and to ensure the supply during drought or siege periods, in castles or fortified sites [1,2,3,4]
The present study aims to perform petrographic and chemical–mineralogical characterisation of the structural and plaster mortars of the cistern from Amaiur Castle to assess the mortar manufacturing process and application technology used according to the specific requirements for the construction of this structure
The cistern shows three types of lime mortars with different compositional characteristics related to the specific function within the structure: structural mortars from the barrel vault, structural mortars from the tank, and plaster
Summary
Cisterns have been essential structures for water storage since the Neolithic period to guarantee a regular and independent water supply in regions with water shortages and to ensure the supply during drought or siege periods, in castles or fortified sites [1,2,3,4]. The need to store and supply water required improvements in the hygienic conditions of the cisterns and led to structural and technological advances in the structures [5]. To ensure the impermeability and durability of mortars in the cistern tank, specific requirements are necessary compared with other building structures, in both the mortar manufacture and application technology practices [7]. Mortar impermeability is strictly related to mortar hydraulicity [8].
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