The influence of zeolite and powdered Bayburt stones on the water transport kinetics and mechanical properties of hydrated lime mortars

• The use of CL90 mortars with pozzolanic replacement materials is investigated.
• Two natural pozzolanic materials are investigated: zeolite and Bayburt stones.
• Water transport kinetics of CL90 mortars is improved for masonry construction.
• Dewatering has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of CL90 mortars.
• Mechanical properties of CL90 mortars are enhanced with pozzolanic materials.

The purpose of this paper is an investigation of the possible role of zeolite and powdered Bayburt stones on the fresh and hardened properties of hydrated lime (CL90) mortars. Parameters studied in this paper form the main barriers to the use of hydrated lime in construction practice. Enhancement of these parameters is vital for mortar/substrate optimisation in masonry construction. The major concern of this paper therefore is the combination of wet mortar and brick substrate and most significantly the interaction between them at fresh and hardened states. The results show that transfer sorptivity and time to dewater hydrated lime mortars can be manipulated when zeolite and powdered Bayburt stones are used as replacement materials to the binder. Long setting time of CL90 mortars is decreased with the increasing replacement levels of both zeolite and powdered Bayburt stones. Experimental results also showed that the increasing replacement levels of zeolite and powdered Bayburt stones resulted in a dramatic increase in compressive strength and these results are also supported with the microstructural images. The ability to enhance water transport kinetics and mechanical properties of hydrated lime mortars with zeolite and powdered Bayburt stones should not be underestimated as this enables such materials to be used in construction practice more competently. These results have important practical consequences, not only in the initial adhesion of the mortar to the substrate but also in the strength of the set material and therefore the use of hydrated lime mortars may be encouraged if zeolite and Bayburt stones can improve the fresh and hardened state properties of these mortars.