Physico-Chemical, Petrographical and Mechanical Properties of Mortars used in an Ancient Roman Basilica in Amasra/Turkey

Abstract

In this study, physicochemical, petrographic and mechanical properties of original lime mortars from a Roman Period basilica in Amasra dated to the 1^st or 2^nd centuries are examined. The study of mortar samples has been performed through polarising and stereo microscope observations, mineralogical (XRD) analyses, chemical (ICP-ES), physical and mechanical analyses. The micro structure and semi-quantitative chemical composition of the binding media and aggregate phases were determined by Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive (SEM-EDS) analysis. This mortar possessed its hydraulic characteristic is due to the addition of volcanic rock with pozzolanic nature. Mechanical tests revealed that the average compressive strength of mortars is 6,1 N/mm² and flexural strength is about 3,3 N/mm². Pull-off tests for determining the adhesion properties proved that a good adhesion is established between mortar and andesite stone owing to its pozzolanic nature.

Keywords

• Basilica
• lime mortar
• physicochemical- mechanical characterization
• andesite
• adherence

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