Microscopic study of weathering of white Flemish stone from the monumental Church of Our Lady in Breda, The Netherlands

This paper deals with the use of an integrated microscopic method to assist in the investigation of the causes and the extent of decay of the stones and ornaments in the gothic Clurch of Out Lady in Breda, The Netherlands. The purpose of the study was to determine whether conservation measures were necessary. As part of the investigation 8...

Historic trass - lime mortars with expansive reactions: Characterization and repair strategies

The characterisation of two ancient mortars in historic bridges, suffering damage due to thaumasite and other swelling compounds is described. Characterisation was part of the analysis of damage occurring to the brick masonry structure. Expansive reactions were found to have taken place, being the cause of the damage to the masonry. In both...

Influence of brick properties on salt crystallization damage

The quality of the materials constituting masonry has a major influence on the type and seriousness of the damage that can occur due to salt crystallization. In the case of brick, the composition of the original clay, together with the production process, determine the quality of the final product and it's eventual susceptibility to salt decay....

Analysis of mortars with additives

Self healing phenomena in concretes and masonry mortars: A microscopic study

A microscopic survey of over 1000 of samples of concrete and masonry mortars from structures in the Netherlands shows that, in practice, self healing occurs in historic lime and lime – puzzolana mortars, in contrast to modern cement bound concretes and mortars. Self healing may be effected by the formation of either new Ca-carbonate, CaCO3, or...