Scholarly record
THE IMPACT OF DOG HAIR AS A NATURAL FIBER ADMIXTURE IN HYDRAULIC LIME MORTARS
Abstract
The protection and maintenance of cultural heritage is an integral aspect of urban development. Preserving the original architecture, appearance, and material design of historic buildings is of a significant importance for understanding the development of society and the changes that have occurred throughout history. In the face of increasing demands for durability, mechanical strength, water vapor permeability, and compatibility with other parts of historical construction, research has focused on innovations in lime-based plasters and mortars. When considered within the context of historical buildings, the integration of natural fibres into these mixes represents a promising approach to improve specific material properties and performance. As organic components were found already present in many historical plasters, the use of natural fibres looks appropriate for the modification of mortars for use in heritage buildings, with respect to the materials and technologies used in the past. The presented study investigates the effect of incorporating dog hair as an admixture in hydraulic lime mortars at proportions of 1.5 wt% and 3 wt% relative to the binder mass. The research focused on assessing the impact of dog hair on the structural, mechanical, and hygric properties of the mortars following a 28-day curing period. The results indicate that the incorporation of 1.5 wt% of dog hair improves the flexural strength while adversely affecting the compressive strength. Furthermore, the water absorption of the modified composites increased, suggesting potential applications in the drying and desalination of historical buildings affected by excessive moisture and inorganic salt action. The findings suggest a promising approach to modifying lime-based mortars that are compatible with historical building materials and demonstrate significant potential for use as restoration mortars.
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References13
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