Purpose-made low-CO2 mortars for historic preservation applications

Abstract

The main goal of this project is to utilize modern cement chemistry to identify purpose-made low-CO2 mortars to improve the management and conservation of cultural architecture, archeological sites, and heritage structures. Current historical preservation work relies on high-CO2 lime-based mortars with poor adaptation to changes in the environment. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop low-CO2, tunable, and durable mortar technologies to better the management and conservation practices of the built heritage in the United States. Directly addressing this need, this innovative project aims to investigate the effect of common polymers (i.e., PEG, PVA) as microstructural reinforcements to improve the mechanical performance (i.e., ductility, compressive strength) of near-neutral salt activated metakaolin (NnSAM) and create purpose-made, tunable, and low-CO2 repair mortar technologies. More specifically, Na2CO3 salt activated metakaolin mortars with varying molecular weights (31-50 kDa) and doses (0.5-2.5 wt.%) of PVA and PEG polymers will be characterized during their fresh and hardened state via environmental rheology and standardized mechanical testing. The research project leverages the expertise of the PIs on modern cement chemistry to produce purpose-fit formulations of infrastructure materials and effective historical preservation research. Once successful, the project results will contribute to the proof-of-concept development of clay-based repair mortar technology for improved historical preservation work specifying various material requirements.