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Mineralogical, chemical and thermal characterisations of ancient mortars of the church of Santa María de Irache monastery (Navarra, Spain)

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Abstract

Ancient mortars used in the construction of the church of Santa María de Irache monastery have been studied. With the aim to characterise their binder and aggregate fractions, a complete characterisation has been carried out including chemical (rapid analysis, soluble salts and trace elements), mineralogical (structural characterisation and X-ray diffraction, XRD) and thermal studies (simultaneous differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis, DTA-TGA). Lime binder, lime with dolomitic phases and mixed mortars (lime and gypsum) have been determined. The approximate orginal composition of these classes of mortars has been presented. Advice about, the employment of repair materials in a restoration work is given.

Résumé

On a étudié les mortiers employés pour la construction de l'église du monastère de Santa María de Irache. On a réalisé une caractérisation complète ayant pour objet de connaître le liant et le granulat, en utilisant l'analyse chimique (analyse rapide, sels solubles et éléments trace), l'analyse minéralogique (caractérisation structurale et diffractométrie des rayons X, DRX) et des études thermiques (analyse thermique différentielle et thermogravimétrique ATD-ATG). On a établi l'utilisation de mortiers à la chaux aérienne, à la chaux aérienne avec de la dolomite, et de mortiers mixtes (chaux et plâtre). On présente la composition originale de ces types de mortiers. On donne des recommandations pour leur usage dans la restauration du monument.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Navarra, 31080, Pamplona, Spain

    C. Montoya, J. Lanas, M. Arandigoyen, P. J. García Casado & J. I. Alvarez

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  1. C. Montoya
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  2. J. Lanas
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  3. M. Arandigoyen
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  4. P. J. García Casado
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  5. J. I. Alvarez
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Montoya, C., Lanas, J., Arandigoyen, M. et al. Mineralogical, chemical and thermal characterisations of ancient mortars of the church of Santa María de Irache monastery (Navarra, Spain). Mat. Struct. 37, 433–439 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02479640

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02479640

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