Mortar mixes with oxblood: historical background, model sample recipes and properties

Abstract

Abstract. In this survey we present studies on mortar mixes added with oxblood, which was a commonly found local waste material, with a wide application and long history of use; a precise recipe of lime–pozzolan mortar with blood addition from a 19th-century Italian manual was chosen, and model samples were prepared accordingly, with the aim of better understanding the chemical, mineralogical and physical characteristics of such compositions, starting with a blank reference specimen. The specimens were analysed by means of scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction, and the results suggested that amorphous calcium carbonate could be formed in the specimens with oxblood addition. These preliminary results allow a better understanding of historical building practices, measuring effects induced by organic additives on mortar microstructure, as well as an evaluation of new performances obtained in mortar mixes. Moreover, this paper intends to propose a full multi-discipline approach to bridge the history of architecture and building materials to conservation science.

Influence of polar amino acids on the carbonation of lime mortars

“…Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetry (TGA) analysis results suggested that all amino acids displayed the ability of calcite inhibition and amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) facilitation, but to different degrees. It is intriguing to note that the effect revealed by a single amino acid can be similar to that of whole proteins, since in our previous studies on lime-based mortars with oxblood addition, the formation of ACC in mortars with oxblood addition was also confirmed by FTIR, XRD, TG-DSC and SEM analyses [12,51,52]. It was speculated in these previous studies that ACC stabilization could be realized through lowered supersaturation in solution by combination between calcium ions and protein sections rich in glutamic acid, serine, glycine, and carbohydrates.…”

Application of Different Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Methods in the Characterization of Lime-Based Mortars with Oxblood

“…40 Similar results are observed in Khouzani et al., 58 where the band at 713 cm −1 appears after the DSC measurement with a final temperature of 400 °C. According to the SEM images in Zhang et al., 4 rhombohedral calcite particles can be clearly distinguished in specimen B; while in specimens A, C, and D the CaCO 3 particles appear to be rounded, which could further indicate the presence of amorphous calcium carbonate in these specimens.…”

“…By an historical point of view, for instance, the addition of blood in mortars was described by Rutilius Palladius in Opus Agriculturae at around the fourth to fifth century A.D., 3 as hot and cold maltha for baths. Geographically speaking, animal blood was applied in mortars in many parts of the world, such as in Europe and Asia, 4 as well as in the American continents. 5…”

“…23 This recipe not only accounts precise amounts of each ingredient, but it is also connected with other similar historic recipes from the 18th- to 20th-century literature, as recently surveyed in a multidisciplinary research. 4 Analysis results of the specimens prepared according to such historic recipe could help us to have a better understanding on the possible characteristics of lime mortars with blood addition, and furthermore contribute to the characterization of historic mortar samples with organic additions. In order to accomplish these goals, apart from the FT-IR analyses, the research plan also comprised thermal analysis (TGA), color measurement, and static contact angle test, to investigate the possible effects of oxblood addition on thermal decomposition, color change, as well as water repellency properties of mortars.…”

Assessment of the Impact of Inaccuracy and Variability of Material and Selected Technological Factors on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Fresh Masonry Mortars and Plasters

“…Jasiczak and Zieliński [16] conducted tests of the effect of protein additives, such as chicken and bovine blood (red cells) on the properties of cement mortar. In a similar vein, Fang et al [17] and Zhang et al [18] had recently brought up a topic of properties of traditional Chinese lime mortars with oxblood as an ingredient, which showed that lime mortars with oxblood exhibited better bonding strength and weather resistance (including waterproof quality) than regular lime mortar. The research conducted by Zhao et al [19] showed that pig blood had a similar beneficial effect on properties, such as early strength.Modifications of mortar with fibers constitute a separate research group.…”