The design and use of repair mortars for historical masonry in Australia

Abstract eng:
For the first 150 years of European settlement in Australia, masonry buildings were constructed largely using the techniques brought from Europe (particularly Great Britain) by the immigrants. Lime for mortar was made by shell burning until limestone deposits were worked from the mid 19th century. Contamination of the source and the wood–fired burning process ensured that the resulting lime was at least feebly hydraulic, as shown by testing. As in so many parts of the world, lime in mortar was displaced by Portland cement after World War II. Even the available Australian Codes lost sight of the role of lime and became quite misleading in giving guidance to users. As heritage restoration became important from the 1970s, there was increasing interest in lime, but architects and engineers had no guidance and made many mistakes which are still being perpetuated. Following experience in masonry conservation in buildings dating from the 1790s onwards, the author has been instrumental in developing a synthetic hydraulic lime mortar which is now being used successfully throughout Australia.

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