Sustainability development and performance evaluation of natural hydraulic lime mortar for restoration

Many efforts have focused on the deterioration of historic buildings, and natural hydraulic lime mortar without admixture is less resistant to environmental agencies than a lime mortar with admixtures. A research study has been carried out to study the effect of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and alccofine (AF) with the natural hydraulic lime mortars in improving the hydraulic properties, durability properties, and freeze-thaw resistance. The performance of lime mortars was evaluated with various additives. The experimental results indicated the combined effect of CMCs and AF in lime mortars' compression testing in different stages. In blended mortars, the early compressive strength was increased. Also, mixed mortar exhibits stronger freeze-thaw resistance with a long healing period. These findings indicate that AF and CMC combination played an essential role in lime mortar (LM) properties, which is generally advantageous for restoration and conservation purposes, especially in historic structures in cold regions.