Petrography of historic mortar materials: polarising light microscopy as a method for characterising lime-based mortars

Kristin  Balksten; Jan-Erik Lindqvist; Bo  Nitz; John Hughes

Abstract

In studying historic, repair and restoration mortars comprised of lime-based material there is an analytical method that answers more questions than any other; transmitted (and reflected) polarised light microscopy (PLM). The present study is based on thin-section analysis of historic and restoration mortars made by the authors in Sweden and Scotland since the 1980’s, previous research (i.e. Elsen 2005, Blaeuer & Kueng 2007, Middendorf et al 2005, Lindqvist & Sandström 2000) and petrographic atlases (Ingham 2010, MacKenzie, Adams 1994). It is illustrated by a selection of microphotographs to show the variety of questions that the method can give answers to, such as, in the study of:

• lime binder; source materials, hydraulicity, slaking methods, lime lumps, cracking tendencies
• aggregates; grading, mineralogy/lithology and texture
• additives; inorganic puzzolanic materials and organic materials
• paint layers; different binders, pigments, thicknesses
• pore structure; durability, vapour transport and capillarity
• craftsmanship; various application and working techniques.

The aim of this paper is to illustrate the usefulness of Polarising Light Microscopy as a method for characterising lime-based mortars and to contribute with references on parameters that can be analysed.

Original language	English
Pages	75-75
Number of pages	1
Publication status	Published - 19 Jun 2019
Event	5th Historic Mortars Conference 2019 - Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain Duration: 19 Jun 2019 → 21 Jun 2019 Conference number: 5 https://www.unav.edu/en/web/historic-mortars-conference

Conference

Conference	5th Historic Mortars Conference 2019
Abbreviated title	HMC 2019
Country/Territory	Spain
City	Pamplona
Period	19/06/19 → 21/06/19
Internet address	https://www.unav.edu/en/web/historic-mortars-conference

Keywords

Petrography
Thin sections
Lime mortar
Polarising light microscopy
Optical microscopy

1 Participation in conference
1 Publication peer-review
1 Types of External academic engagement - Membership of peer review panel or committee

5th Historic Mortars Conference 2019
Hughes, J. (Member of programme committee)
19 Jun 2019 → 21 Jun 2019
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
5th Historic Mortars Conference 2019 (Event)
Hughes, J. (Peer reviewer)
1 Feb 2019 → 30 May 2019
Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Publication peer-review
5th Historic Mortars Conference- member of Scientific Committee
Hughes, J. (Examiner)
Nov 2018 → Jul 2019
Activity: Other › Types of External academic engagement - Membership of peer review panel or committee

2 Conference contribution
1 Book
1 Abstract

Animal, vegetable or mineral? Characterising shell-lime, maerl-lime and limestone-lime mortar evidence from the Late Norse and Medieval site of Tuquoy, Orkney
Thacker, M., Hughes, J. & Odling, N., 19 Jun 2019, p. 107-107. 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review

Open Access
Petrography of historic mortar materials: polarising light microscopy as a method for characterising lime-based mortars
Balksten, K., Nitz, B., Hughes, J. J. & Lindqvist, J.-E., 16 Jul 2019, Proceedings of the 5th Historic Mortars Conference: RILEM Proceedings PRO 130. Alvarez, J. I., Fernandez, J. M., I. N., Duran, A. & Sirera, R. (eds.). Paris: RILEM Publications S.A.R.L., Vol. PRO 130. p. 453-467 15 p. (RILEM Proceedings; vol. 130).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Open Access
File
Lime lump development and textural alteration during the production of mortar
Carran, D., Hughes, J., Leslie, A. & Kennedy, C., 2010, 2nd Conference on Historic Mortars - HMC 2010 and RILEM TC 203-RHM final workshop. Válek, J., Groot, C. & Hughes, J. J. (eds.). RILEM Publications SARL, p. 437-445
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Cite this

@conference{bd863360416c43e4975af1d932c64fa7,

title = "Petrography of historic mortar materials: polarising light microscopy as a method for characterising lime-based mortars",

abstract = "In studying historic, repair and restoration mortars comprised of lime-based material there is an analytical method that answers more questions than any other; transmitted (and reflected) polarised light microscopy (PLM). The present study is based on thin-section analysis of historic and restoration mortars made by the authors in Sweden and Scotland since the 1980{\textquoteright}s, previous research (i.e. Elsen 2005, Blaeuer \& Kueng 2007, Middendorf et al 2005, Lindqvist \& Sandstr{\"o}m 2000) and petrographic atlases (Ingham 2010, MacKenzie, Adams 1994). It is illustrated by a selection of microphotographs to show the variety of questions that the method can give answers to, such as, in the study of: • lime binder; source materials, hydraulicity, slaking methods, lime lumps, cracking tendencies • aggregates; grading, mineralogy/lithology and texture • additives; inorganic puzzolanic materials and organic materials • paint layers; different binders, pigments, thicknesses • pore structure; durability, vapour transport and capillarity • craftsmanship; various application and working techniques. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the usefulness of Polarising Light Microscopy as a method for characterising lime-based mortars and to contribute with references on parameters that can be analysed.",

keywords = "Petrography, Thin sections, Lime mortar, Polarising light microscopy, Optical microscopy",

author = "Kristin Balksten and Jan-Erik Lindqvist and Bo Nitz and John Hughes",

year = "2019",

month = jun,

day = "19",

language = "English",

pages = "75--75",

note = "5th Historic Mortars Conference 2019, HMC 2019 ; Conference date: 19-06-2019 Through 21-06-2019",

url = "https://www.unav.edu/en/web/historic-mortars-conference",

}

TY - CONF

T1 - Petrography of historic mortar materials

T2 - 5th Historic Mortars Conference 2019

AU - Balksten, Kristin

AU - Lindqvist, Jan-Erik

AU - Nitz, Bo

AU - Hughes, John

N1 - Conference code: 5

PY - 2019/6/19

Y1 - 2019/6/19

N2 - In studying historic, repair and restoration mortars comprised of lime-based material there is an analytical method that answers more questions than any other; transmitted (and reflected) polarised light microscopy (PLM). The present study is based on thin-section analysis of historic and restoration mortars made by the authors in Sweden and Scotland since the 1980’s, previous research (i.e. Elsen 2005, Blaeuer & Kueng 2007, Middendorf et al 2005, Lindqvist & Sandström 2000) and petrographic atlases (Ingham 2010, MacKenzie, Adams 1994). It is illustrated by a selection of microphotographs to show the variety of questions that the method can give answers to, such as, in the study of: • lime binder; source materials, hydraulicity, slaking methods, lime lumps, cracking tendencies • aggregates; grading, mineralogy/lithology and texture • additives; inorganic puzzolanic materials and organic materials • paint layers; different binders, pigments, thicknesses • pore structure; durability, vapour transport and capillarity • craftsmanship; various application and working techniques. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the usefulness of Polarising Light Microscopy as a method for characterising lime-based mortars and to contribute with references on parameters that can be analysed.

AB - In studying historic, repair and restoration mortars comprised of lime-based material there is an analytical method that answers more questions than any other; transmitted (and reflected) polarised light microscopy (PLM). The present study is based on thin-section analysis of historic and restoration mortars made by the authors in Sweden and Scotland since the 1980’s, previous research (i.e. Elsen 2005, Blaeuer & Kueng 2007, Middendorf et al 2005, Lindqvist & Sandström 2000) and petrographic atlases (Ingham 2010, MacKenzie, Adams 1994). It is illustrated by a selection of microphotographs to show the variety of questions that the method can give answers to, such as, in the study of: • lime binder; source materials, hydraulicity, slaking methods, lime lumps, cracking tendencies • aggregates; grading, mineralogy/lithology and texture • additives; inorganic puzzolanic materials and organic materials • paint layers; different binders, pigments, thicknesses • pore structure; durability, vapour transport and capillarity • craftsmanship; various application and working techniques. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the usefulness of Polarising Light Microscopy as a method for characterising lime-based mortars and to contribute with references on parameters that can be analysed.

KW - Petrography

KW - Thin sections

KW - Lime mortar

KW - Polarising light microscopy

KW - Optical microscopy

M3 - Abstract

SP - 75

EP - 75

Y2 - 19 June 2019 through 21 June 2019

ER -

Petrography of historic mortar materials: polarising light microscopy as a method for characterising lime-based mortars

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

Fingerprint

Activities

5th Historic Mortars Conference 2019

5th Historic Mortars Conference 2019 (Event)

5th Historic Mortars Conference- member of Scientific Committee

Research output

Animal, vegetable or mineral? Characterising shell-lime, maerl-lime and limestone-lime mortar evidence from the Late Norse and Medieval site of Tuquoy, Orkney

Petrography of historic mortar materials: polarising light microscopy as a method for characterising lime-based mortars

Lime lump development and textural alteration during the production of mortar

Cite this