The use of brick–lime plasters and their relevance to climatic conditions of historic bath buildings

Abstract

a b s t r a c tBrick-lime mortars and plasters have been widely used as water-proof materials in aqueducts, bridges and cisterns since early Hellenistic time. In this study, the characteristics of brick-lime plasters used in some Ottoman bath buildings were investigated in order to understand their relevance as plasters in hot and humid environmental conditions of the baths. For this purpose, basic physical properties, raw material compositions, mineralogical, microstructural and hydraulic properties of brick-lime plasters of some historic bath buildings in _ Izmir (Turkey) were determined by XRD, SEM-EDX, AFM and chemical analyses. The results indicated that their survival without loosing their strength and adhesion in hot and humid conditions of the baths was explained by their hydraulic characters due to the consciously use of porous and pozzolanic crushed bricks as aggregate in the manufacturing of plasters.

Protection of Archaeological Remains in the Yortanli Dam Reservoir in Turkey

“…Characterization of ancient mortars and plasters dating from Greek times through the beginning of the 19th century reveal that they are primarily composed of lime as binder and aggregate as filler material (Budak et al 2010).In another regard, the importance of the use of brick-lime mortars and plasters as waterproof materials in the humid or wet spaces such as those in baths has been known since the Roman period (Ugurlu and Boke 2009). Their high strength and adhesion ability in hot and humid conditions is explained by their hydraulic characters (Allen et al 2003) due to the consciously use of porous and pozzolanic crushed bricks as aggregates in their manufacturing (Ugurlu and Boke 2009).…”

Characteristics of bricks used in the domes of some historic bath buildings

“…Although the bricks used in the domes of the investigated baths were fired at low temperatures and consisted of small pores, the structural systems of the baths remained without losing their integrity. This can be explained by moderate climatic conditions ofİzmir [20] and by the use of brick-lime plasters (cocciopesto) which prevents water penetration to the building and also prevents evaporation through bricks [2].…”

“…Interior and exterior surfaces of the domes were covered with brick-lime plasters called cocciopesto that prevented water penetration to the structure. In previous studies, characteristics of mortars, plasters and stones used in the construction of some historic bath buildings dated to 15th century inİzmir were determined [1][2][3]. In this study, raw materials and production technologies of bricks used in the domes of same buildings were determined.…”

Characterization of the effect of brick-powder application in lime-based plasters

“…The interaction between background and plaster should be the best as possible, and materials with similar bases (as plaster containing ceramics and brick wall) are predicted to interact very well. Ugurlu and Boke [11] dealt with bricklime plasters and their relevance to climatic conditions of historic buildings. Improvement of historical plasters containing brick or tile powder by ground granulated blast-furnace slag was the matter of the study performed by Isikdag and Topcu [12].…”