LIGHTWEIGHT NATURAL PUMICE COMPOSITES FOR REHABILITATION OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND LANDSCAPE WORKS

Abstract

Historical buildings are made of traditional materials such as mud bricks, lime mortars, stone, and wood. Mudbrick is not a durable material against water and compression effects. The aim of this study is to increase the usage of natural pumice in both mortar and block production to obtain efficient restoration material in this area. The specimens obtained by using pumice, slaked lime, tile dust, gypsum and expanded clay at certain ratios were cured in both steam and laboratory conditions. The characterization of the raw materials and specimens were carried out by using BET, XRD, SEM analyses. Also, the physical and mechanical properties of the mortar and block specimens were determined with laboratory tests. The test results showed that the highest compressive strength values were obtained from steam cured specimens. It was observed that the water absorption values ​​of the specimens which were steam cured slightly better than the naturally cured specimens.