Optimisation of repair lime-based composites using nano-binders

Abstract eng:
Various binding materials have been used worldwide, across different pre-historic and historic periods, to meet several construction applications. Lime has historically been one of the most common binders used in the preparation of aerial and hydraulic composites. For the production of the latter, hydrated lime has been occasionally mixed with natural and artificial pozzolanas. In Cyprus, in the absence of local natural pozzolanas, crushed brick was used as an artificial hydraulic additive to hydrated lime for the production of mortars, notably since the Late Bronze Age (1200 BC), despite the fact that this technique is believed to have become popular much later (i.e. during the Roman period). In this paper, we present part of our research on the reproduction of compatible repair materials in the laboratory, based on the findings of a holistic analytical study on ancient lime mortars. Optimal laboratory mixtures are further optimised using nano-binders (SiO2 and TiO2), in an effort to produce durable, environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, sustainable mortars for contemporary applications. Preliminary test results are promising and show that the use of nano-binders, along with finely crushed ceramic, enhances the performance of traditional limebased composites, as well as their durability against salt crystallisation. The encouraging outocomes leave much room for improvement and further analysis is deemed necessary to monitor the materials’ long-term behaviour.

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