Thaumasite swelling in historic mortars: field observations and laboratory research
article
The formation of thaumasite in historic mortars was found to be a recurrent problem in cases of conservation of historic masonry in the Netherlands. Several case studies in which mortar swelling occurred were performed. In this paper two case studies concerning thaumasite formation are briefly described, focusing on the damage patterns observed and the analyses performed in order to arrive at the diagnosis of thaumasite formation. Sulfate may come from inside (the historic brick) and from outside (combustion processes from industry or traffic). The second part of the paper deals with laboratory research aimed at provoking the formation of thaumasite in hydraulic lime mortars. A further aim of the laboratory research was to develop an adequate test procedure in order to evaluate the vulnerability of mortars to be used in conservation. A test procedure on mortar, cured between bricks in order to have realistic mortar properties, appears adequate.
Topics
TNO Identifier
330483
Source
Cement & Concrete Composites, 25, pp. 1165-117.
Pages
1165-117
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