Durability of Steam Cured Pozzolanic Mortars at Atmospheric Pressure

Abstract

In the present study, the durability properties of Earth of Datca-hydrated lime mortar (ED)M under steam curing conditions at atmospheric pressure was inspected and compared with relatively well-known “horasan” mortars consisting of hydrated lime and fired clay as artificial pozzolan. Resistance of the lime-pozzolan mortars to wetting and drying, salt crystallization, freeze-thaw cycling and ageing by SO2 action tests was assessed. Tests results showed that both mortars produced under steam curing at atmospheric pressure can be used as load-bearing building bricks. The better behaviour of the ED(M) under ageing tests compared to Fired Clay-hydrated lime mortar (FC)M is in conformity with its efficient physical and mechanical characteristics.