Understanding historic mortars and their variations : a condition for performing restoration with traditional materials

In order to design a restoration mortar with properties and composition similar to the original mortar, it is important to analyze the historic mortar in several ways. A combination of analyses give information about the mixing ratio between binder and aggregates, chemical composition of the mortar, additives, tool marks, application technique etc. This paper shows the variations in Swedish medieval lime mortars with a high content of binder. By analysing historic mortar with a combination of ocular investigations, microscopically studies of thin section specimens, Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Powder Diffraction, all the information needed for designing a restoration mortar, with composition and properties similar to the historic mortar, is gained.