Influence of sand fines on the mechanical and physical properties of lime-based renders and plasters

Abstract eng:
Lime–based mortars of adequate workability are used for repairing coating mortars on old masonry in historical buildings. The analysis of a great number of old plasters and renders made by the Laboratory of Building Materials at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) during the last twenty years showed that these mortars are rich in fines (aggregate with size less than 0.063mm). In the present paper, mortar samples with different binders and different sands were prepared and tests to assess the influence of fines on their mechanical and physical properties were performed. Apart from standard sand, three other sands were used as there are many building sands whose content in fines is relatively high. In addition, many ready mixed mortars contain a high percentage of fines. Based on the results, it is obvious that the fines can significantly reduce the strength and increase the volume shrinkage of the mortars. Furthermore, the porosity was increased and capillarity was also increased. Additionally, the type of fines also seems to play a role in their behaviour in relation to the basic binder. This research work contributes to improving the design of mortar mixes for lime-based plasters and renders.

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