Mortars from the Palace of Knossos in Crete, Greece: A Multi-Analytical Approach

The study of building materials constituting cultural heritage is fundamental to understand their characteristics and predict their behavior. When considering materials from archaeological sites, their characterization can provide not only relevant information for a broader understanding of the site and its importance and significance but can also increase knowledge about ancient materials and their performance. The Palace of Knossos is a very important archaeological site in the European history context, and its preservation benefits from the characterization of the constituent materials. Samples of mortars from this monument were collected under the scope of the H2020 HERACLES project, where a multi-analytical approach was chosen using established protocols for the different sample typologies. Instrumental techniques such as optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA) were used for the chemical, mineralogical, and morphological characterization of these mortar samples. The results indicate that the majority are lime mortars, both aerial and hydraulic, but gypsum-based mortars were also identified. Differences in the chemical composition of the samples in distinct areas of the monument allowed us to reflect on the variety of materials used in the construction of the Palace of Knossos.

Lime-based mortars with various binder composition: characterization and freeze-thaw resistance assessment

The study focused on lime mortars with different lime binder types regarding the frost attack effects on their microstructure and mechanical characteristics. The performances of studied mortars in hardened state was significantly influenced by the amount of mixing water and by curing conditions. Inhomogeneous microstructure was observed inside the 360 days old specimens with dimensions 40 × 40 × 160 mm in the case of all lime mortars types. The different state of the binder hardening with respect to various distances from the specimen surface and the different behaviour of matured outer part and immature inner part of lime mortar specimens influenced performed tests and reflected in all results. After 10 and 20 freeze cycles, respectively, the compressive strength of all lime mortar specimens with the hydraulic binder component increased, indicating a beneficial effect of the water on the hydration previously unreacted hydraulic binders. On the other hand, the flexural strength of the frost-aged specimens decreased significantly, indicating the drastic procedure of the test performed concerning lime mortars characteristics, especially when the pure air lime binder was used. Improvement of the testing procedure especially for lime mortars, which are characterized by slow hardening, was recommended.

Effect of Type of Curing and Metakaolin Replacement on Air Lime Mortars for the Durability of Masonries

The interest in restoration and maintenance of old masonries towards their durability is nowadays combined with the concept of sustainability and the need to implement more suitable materials for building heritage interventions. This has led to the importance of having a better knowledge of air lime mortars, namely on the effect of pozzolanic additions, curing conditions and evolution at early stages. This study consisted in the characterization of mortars based on hydrated air lime and sand, with 1:2 (lime:sand) volumetric composition, with different weight percentages of substitution of lime by metakaolin (Mk): 0%, 10% and 20%. Mortar prisms were analyzed in three different curing environments: maritime (by the Atlantic Ocean), in laboratory humidity (95 ± 5% relative humidity, RH) and standard (65 ± 5% RH) conditioning. Tests were conducted to evaluate fresh and hardened properties of mortars, considering physical, chemical and mechanical performance at 28, 90 and 180 days. Results showed the viability of applying air lime-Mk mortars with curing conditions similar to the tested ones. In the standard curing, the mortar with 20% Mk revealed advantages in mechanical parameters. Concerning the behaviour towards water, improvements were shown at an early stage with the humid curing, while maritime curing benefited its behaviour for at least up to 6 months.