Petrography of mortars and plasters as a tool to distinguish construction phases for the historical buildings of the Modena area (Northern Italy)


Abstract eng:
The Modena area (Northern Italy) is characterised by many significant historical buildings that have been recently restored. The restoration works were important occasions for an extensive study of historical mortars and plasters ranging in age from the 10 th to the 18th century: the Modena Cathedral, the Ghirlandina bell tower (UNESCO site); the Duke’s Palace in Sassuolo; the Formigine and Vignola castles; the Santa Maria in Castello church and the castle in Carpi. Mortars and plasters samples were examined using optical polarising microscopy and SEM/EDS. Detailed petrographic analyses by quantitative tools, such as image analysis and point counting, were used to calculate the binder/aggregate ratio, the porosity and the binder related particles. The characterization of mortars and plasters revealed that lime was obtained mostly from impure fluvial limestone cobbles and pebbles and not from limestone quarries, as demonstrated by the juxtaposition of underburned particles of different age and texture. The result is a wide variety of mortars with variable hydraulic ratios. The aggregate petrographic composition allowed us to identify the source of sand, as we elaborated a detailed database of the sand composition from the rivers flowing in the area. In most cases different construction phases are revealed by the use of sands coming from different rivers. The data provided indication on the preparation techniques and their evolution in time, giving the possibility to attempt the indirect dating of the construction phases in some cases. The study provided also basic information for the preparation of restoration mortars and plasters.

Contributors:
Publisher:
Glasgow : University of the West of Scotland, 2013
Conference Title:
Conference Title:
3rd Historic Mortars Conference
Conference Venue:
Glasgow, Scotland (UK)
Conference Dates:
2013-09-11 / 2013-09-14
Rights:
Text je chráněný podle autorského zákona č. 121/2000 Sb.



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 Record created 2014-11-03, last modified 2014-11-18


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