Optimization of the Performance of Earth Mortars at Elevated Temperatures

Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.This study investigates the behavior of three earth mortars exposed to elevated temperatures, considering the nature of the aggregates used. Earth mortars made from a combination of a silty-clay earth, silica-calcareous sand (S) and fired bricks waste (W) were investigated. One volumetric fractions of sand/earth and two percentages of sand/fire bricks waste substitution were considered and test specimens were prepared for each mortar. After drying to have constant mass, tests were carried out to determine physical and mechanical properties at room temperature and after being subjected to heating-cooling cycles at temperatures of 200 ℃, 400 ℃, 600 ℃ and 800 ℃. Notable observations were made, in particular the negative effect of the silico-calcareous sand fraction after 400 ℃. At the highest temperature of 800 ℃, mortar containing sand showed significant degradation due to decarbonation of the calcareous aggregate. The effect of using fire bricks waste as additional aggregate was very positive. The results obtained can be used to optimize the performance of earth mortars at elevated temperatures.authorsversionpublishe