Micromechanics-based models of cocciopesto mortars

Abstract eng:
The paper deals with homogenization and strength estimation of mortars containing crushed bricks or other clay products. These mortars, known as cocciopesto, were used mainly during the Byzantine period and by Romans. Cocciopesto exhibit quite extraordinary mechanical properties due to formation of C-S-H gel coating on the interface between lime matrix and crushed clay products. Based on literature study, it seems that no one has ever tried to estimate the properties of cocciopesto mortars using micromechanical modeling. The micromechanical approach and Mori-Tanaka homogenization technique provided an explanation for the characteristic behavior of these mortars, but they had to be modified for homogenization of coated particles. Mortar strength was estimated from magnitudes of the quadratic average of deviatoric strain in individual phases. The calculations confirmed the important role of the C-S-H gel coating on the mortar strength and stiffness. Despite the above mentioned simplifications and a few uncertainties, the model seems to be able to correctly predict the trends and serve for an optimization of the mortar composition towards desired properties.

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