Characterization of mortars from the Vartalis Watermill in Cyprus

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Published: Jun 19, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/monubasin.8174
Keywords:
Lime mortars Watermills XRD TG-DTA
Ioanna Panteli
Ioannis Ioannou
Ioannis Rigopoulos
Margarita L. Petrou
Abstract

Abstract. Traditional watermills for grain production are found in many places across the world. However, despite being an integral part of rural agriculture throughout history, these structures have received relatively little attention compared to other monuments and traditional buildings. Hence, studies of their building materials, including mortars, remain scarce. This paper focuses on the assessment of four mortar samples received from the Vartalis watermill in Cyprus. The study is part of a wider project focusing on the building materials (especially mortars) of a number of watermills around Nicosia and Cyprus. Two of the four mortar samples investigated were extracted from the aqueduct leading to the watermill, while the remaining two were obtained from the water tower of the watermill. In both cases, the mortars were in direct contact with water whilst the water tower was operative. Therefore, the assessment involved an insight into their consistency and hydraulic properties. Macroscopic observations and laboratory analytical experimental techniques, which included powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis on the binder/aggregate fractions separately and Thermogravimetric and Differential Thermal Analysis (TG-DTA) on the bulk samples, were employed for the detailed study and characterization of the mortars. The results showed that all four mortar samples were consistent, with densely packed river sand as aggregate material and the occasional presence of lime lumps and coal. They also revealed the presence of calcite and crushed ceramic in the binder fraction, as well as quartz and plagioclase (albite) in the aggregate fraction. Notably, the CO2/H2O ratio of the samples ranged between 1.2 and 3, suggesting that these may be classified as strongly hydraulic lime mortars.

Article Details
  • Section
  • Part II - Historical and Structural Aspects of Monuments

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Author Biographies
Ioanna Panteli

Department of History and Archaeology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus

Ioannis Ioannou

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus

Ioannis Rigopoulos

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus

Margarita L. Petrou

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus

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