Quantitative composition of ancient mortars from the Notre Dame Cathedral in Tournai (Belgium)
Gilles Mertens|Jan Elsen|Raymond Brulet|Anne Brutsaert|Marianne Deckers
A combined micro- and macroscopical approach was implemented for the quantification of main constituents in a set 41 ancient mortar samples from Tournai (Belgium). The range age Roman to Romanesque. microscopical study consisted point counting on thin sections prepared these mortars. If sufficiently large were available, Image Analysis plane polished surfaces used quantify larger objects (> 1 mm) as lime lumps or ceramics. In spite possible uncertainties, general conclusions about mortars could be drawn. Palaeochristian are all comparable containing considerable amount ceramic fragments, whereas their presence not systematic during later times. binder/aggregate ratios varied 0.4 2.3. Romanesque seem have less variable binder aggregate content compared older samples.
Materials Characterization