Estudio de morteros para reparación arqueológica y patrimonial : metacaolín.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the behavior of hydrated lime mortars intended for the repair and conservation of archaeological and heritage structures. These mortars will be manufactured using metakaolin at various replacement percentages for lime. Metakaolin is obtained through the calcination of kaolinite clay at a temperature of 700°C, where it attains its optimal supplementary material characteristics. This material will enhance the physical-mechanical properties, contributing to compression strength, as well as chemical properties such as reduced permeability, porosity, and cracking. It increases resistance to chemical attacks, and its characteristic color also improves the final appearance of the mortar. The handcrafted hydrated lime obtained by slaking quicklime rocks falls within a slaking range of 60 days. The tests performed on the mortar were based on the American standard (ASTM C109M, 2021) and the Ecuadorian standard (NTE INEN 488, 2009). The results of interest were obtained from compressive strength tests executed on mortar cubes with replacement ratios of 5%, 10%, and 20% by weight of lime, at different curing ages. The ages at which the tests were conducted were 28, 56, and 90 days. In order to obtain detailed information about the structure and chemical properties of the mortars, Thermogravimetric Analysis and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) tests were conducted.