Mineralogical and microstructural studies of mortars from the bath complex of the Roman villa rustica near Mosnje (Slovenia)

Journal Article · Tue Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2011 · Materials Characterization

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATCHAR.2011.07.019· OSTI ID:22066346

Kramar, Sabina ^[1]; Zalar, Vesna ^[2]; Urosevic, Maja ^[3]; Koerner, Wilfried ^[4]; Mauko, Alenka ^[5]; Mirtic, Breda ^[2]; Lux, Judita ^[6]; Mladenovic, Ana ^[5]

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1. Institute for the Protection of the Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, Conservation Centre, Restoration Centre, Poljanska 40, 1000 Ljubljana (Slovenia)
2. University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, Department of Geology, Ljubljana (Slovenia)
3. University of Granada, Faculty of Science, Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada (Spain)
4. University of Vienna, Department of Environmental Geosciences, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna (Austria)
5. Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, Dimiceva 12, 1000 Ljubljana (Slovenia)
6. Institute for the Protection of the Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, Conservation Centre, Preventive Archaeology Department, Tomsiceva 7, 4000 Kranj (Slovenia)

This study deals with the characterization of mortars collected from bath complex of the Roman villa rustica from an archeological site near Mosnje (Slovenia). The mortar layers of the mosaics, wall paintings and mortar floors were investigated. A special aggregate consisting of brick fragments was present in the mortars studied. The mineralogical and petrographic compositions of the mortars were determined by means of optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy. Analysis of aggregate-binder interfaces using SEM-EDS revealed various types of reactivity rims. In order to assess the hydraulic characteristics of the mortars, the acid-soluble fractions were determined by ICP-OES. Furthermore, the results of Hg-porosimetry and gas sorption isotherms showed that mortars with a higher content of brick fragments particles exhibited a higher porosity and a greater BET surface area but a lower average pore diameter compared to mortars lacking this special aggregate. - Highlights: {yields} Mineral and microstructural characterizations of brick-lime mortars. {yields} Hydraulic character of mortars in Roman baths complex. {yields} Reaction rims were observed around brick fragments and dolomitic grains. {yields} Higher content of brick particles yielded a higher BET surface area. {yields} Addition of brick particles increased porosity and diminished pore size diameter.

• OSTI ID: 22066346
• Journal Information: Materials Characterization, Vol. 62, Issue 11; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-5803
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
BRICKS
CULTURAL OBJECTS
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
FOURIER TRANSFORMATION
INFRARED SPECTRA
INTERFACES
ISOTHERMS
LAYERS
MICROSTRUCTURE
MINERALS
MORTARS
OPTICAL MICROSCOPY
PARTICLES
POROSITY
RESONANCE IONIZATION MASS SPECTROSCOPY
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SLOVENIA
SURFACE AREA
X-RAY DIFFRACTION