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Traditional sticky rice-lime mortar plays an important role in the restoration of Chinese historical buildings. However, its application in ancient building restoration is restricted due to some shortcomings of lime-based materials such as high shrinkage, low hardness in the early phase, cracking during carbonation, etc. In order to make better use of sticky rice-lime mortar, the research presented in this article evaluates the influence of admixtures (flax fiber, polypropylene fiber, and paper fiber) on the properties of traditional sticky rice-lime mortar by testing compressive and flexural strengths, surface hardness, drying shrinkage, water absorption, freezing-thawing cycles, carbonation degree, and through performing X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results revealed that three types of fibers ameliorated the mechanical strength, anti-shrinkage performance, durability, and microstructure of traditional sticky rice-lime mortar. 1.5% paper fiber was the most effective admixture to increase the mechanical properties and reduce the water absorption rates, and it improved the freeze–thaw cycles by more than 10 times; the incorporation of polypropylene fiber significantly reduced the drying shrinkage rates. In the practice of brick-stone cultural heritage conservation, it is recommended to consider adding paper fibers to improve the comprehensive performance of traditional sticky rice-lime mortar and adding polypropylene fibers to improve shrinkage resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Sticky rice–lime mortar is one of the most important technological inventions in the Chinese architectural history. In this work, an experimental study on the application of sticky rice–lime mortar in conservation of the stone tower in the Xiangji Temple was performed by means of the property characterization, SEM, XRD and DSC-TG analysis. Our Results indicate that paper fiber is the most effective admixture to endure freezing–thawing cycles and increase the compressive strength of sticky rice–lime mortar, and the use of aluminum sulfate reduces the drying shrinkage values and increases the compressive strength because of the formation of ettringite in sticky rice–lime mortar. It is suggested that 6% aluminum sulfate or 3% paper fiber may be the appropriate admixture of sticky rice–lime mortar in conservation of cultural relics. Based on the results of laboratory experiment, the sticky rice–lime mortar with 3% paper fiber is selected as the grouting material for the conservation of the Xiangji Temple tower. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]