Influence of Lime in Bond Masonry Mortar

Abstract

In this research it was studied the mortars for block pasting, fabricated in situ and the effects in their physical and mechanical characteristics by adding lime to the mix. For this, were made mortars type M and type S with and without lime, using the volumetric proportions that the Seismic Code of Costa Rica 2010 (CSCR 2010) says. It was used quarry sand and industrial sand like fine aggregate, separately. Testing compressive strength was conducted in mortar cubes at 7 and 28 days, also percentage of water retention, air content and workability were tested. Also, masonry prisms and “crosses” were made for compressive strength and bond test, respectively. All this, to determine if the use of lime produced in this country improves the properties of the bond masonry mortar, because this could reactivate in Costa Rica the use of lime in the Industrial construction.

Tests were made with 3 different limes, and the results change depends on the lime used. But in general, the lime improves some properties like water retention, workability and bond, and in some cases increases prisms resistance. Conversely, compressive strength in mortar cubes decreases and the air content wasn’t affected.