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 1st or 2nd centuries were 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. © 2015, Gazi University Eti Mahallesi. All rights reserved.