Performance Assessment of Lime Putty Mortars: Influence of Binder: Aggregate Ratio

This research aims to evaluate the effect of the binder:aggregate ratio on the physical, mechanical and durability properties of air lime mortars. The research focuses on analyzing the technical performance of lime mortars produced with five different binder-to-aggregate ratios. Various tests have been carried out to determine the performance characteristics of mortars produced using lime putty and natural river sand. These tests include methods such as unit weight, ultrasonic velocity, carbonation depth, volumetric shrinkage, modulus of elasticity and compressive strength. The 28-day experimental outcomes revealed a non-linear trend in strength development, which was governed by the coupled variations in both binder content and water levels within the mortar formulations. In the mortar series, shrinkage values decreased inversely proportional to the amount of aggregate after a 28-day curing period. The study highlights that increasing the binder ratio in mortars does not improve all properties, and that the aggregate ratio is also of great importance. This research specifically presents a comparative analysis of mortar performance using different ratios of lime putty in mortar mixtures.