Mechanical and physical performance of natural hydraulic lime mortars.

• B/A ratio affects the physical and mechanical properties of NHL2 and NHL3.5 mortars. • The influence of B/A is different according to the binder type. • 20% binder leads to a mortar of lower mechanical performance in both cases. • 25% binder seems to be the optimum percentage in the case of NHL2. • 30% binder seems to be the optimum percentage in the case of NHL3.5. Natural hydraulic lime (NHL) is a material which has received increased interest in the past decade as a binder for the production of mortars. The renewed interest of researchers and builders in natural hydraulic lime is attributed to its enhanced compatibility with many traditional materials, as well as the fact that it is an environmentally friendly material, especially in relation to modern cement. In the present study, two different types of natural hydraulic lime mortars are studied, using NHL2 and NHL3.5 as binder (in accordance to the new classification EN 459-1:2010) and the same river sand, while the influence of different binder to aggregate ratios on mortar characteristics is also investigated. Fresh mortar characteristics are examined immediately after mixing, while hardened mortar characteristics are evaluated at different mortar ages. Specifically, the mechanical performance of the mortars is evaluated through flexural and compressive strength tests, as well as the dynamic modulus of elasticity, which is estimated through ultrasound pulse velocity measurements. Physical performance of the mortars is investigated through the examination of the pore network structure characteristics, via mercury intrusion porosimetry measurements, and through the examination of hygric characteristics, via water absorption tests. The binder to aggregate ratio seems to play an important role in the development of the mechanical and physical characteristics of the mortars, while it influences mortar properties differently according to the type of the binder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]