Nanotechnology applications to improve the mechanical properties of lime mortars in archaeological building

The research discusses the different stages of consolidation, examination and analysis procedures that were carried out on the lime mortar that used as a basic building mortar. In Baibars Al-Khayat Mosque, in its dome and mihrab, lime mortar was used as a bonding mortar for cladding stones.
The damage aspects of structure mortar have been studied, with the aim of consolidating it, improving its resistance to compressive stress and making it more durable. The bonding mortar was also consolidated to have the highest resistance to tensile stress to which the mortar is exposed as a result of using cladding stones.
Samples were taken from the falling mortar and analyzed by different examination and analysis devices: X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope equipped with an elemental analysis unit (EDX). Compression and tensile stress tests were carried out on the samples that had been consolidated at different stages.
The results of examination and analysis proved that the used bonding mortar is lime mortar, the stages of consolidation were done on the samples by adding some nanomaterial (Nano-silica, Nano-lime and WackerOH) to the mortar mixture to improve its properties. The samples were tested for compressive stress after salt aging, and then the results were determined, analyzed and discussed, which proved the the success of Nano-silica material with WackerOH then Nano-lime with WackerOH when determining the Compressive Strength, the success of Nano-lime with WackerOH then Nano-silica with Wacker when determining the tensile Strength and finally proved the success of Nano-lime with water, followed by Nano-silica with Wacker when determining the Compressive Strength after salt consolidation.