Research on historical mortars from the Gothic Tower in Lublin

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DOI

Beata Klimek

b.klimek@pollub.pl

Abstract

The Semicircular Tower, also called the Gothic Tower, is one of the oldest buildings in Lublin. It was built in the 14th century of stone and brick. It was part of the defensive walls erected by King Kazimierz Wielki. During contemporary restoration works, original materials were taken: mortar. The article presents mineralogical and chemical characteristics of mortars. The analytical methodology included: qualitative mineralogical analysis of the entire sample by X-ray diffraction (XRD); morphological tests with elemental assessment and microanalysis of the binder by means of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy with energy dispersion (SEM-EDS). Determination of the residual parts insoluble in hydrochloric acid was carried out. This methodology made it possible to determine the composition of mortars: tests of rising water absorption after 24 hours of immersion. It was found that the tested mortars have a similar mineralogical structure, but slightly differ in the share of individual components, primarily the aggregate fraction. The samples consist mainly of quartz and calcite with additional silicates. In addition, it was shown that the lime binder of mortars has a microcrystalline character. For the production of historical mortars, mainly quartz sand and minerals from the feldspar and silicate groups were used as aggregate.

Keywords:

Gothic Tower, historical mortar, research, Lublin

References

Article Details

Klimek, B. (2022). Research on historical mortars from the Gothic Tower in Lublin. Teka Komisji Architektury, Urbanistyki I Studiów Krajobrazowych, 18(3), 18–29. https://doi.org/10.35784/teka.3364

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