Impact of Physico-Chemical Characteristics on the Mechanical Strength and Pore Structure of Air Lime Mortars with Isparta Tuff and Banahmeta Additives

The physical and chemical interactions between the lime and pozzolans in conservation mortars are fundamental to sustainable building practices. Here, we report experimental investigations on pure air lime mortar, air lime-isparta tuff mortar, and air lime-banahmeta mortar. Isparta Tuff is formed from volcanic rocks found in the Southwest between Isparta and Burdur city centres in Anatolia, belonging to the Gölcük volcanism. The microstructural and physiochemical interactions of these mixed designs were investigated. Importantly, this study quantifies critical performance parameters of air lime mortars incorporating Isparta tuff as a pozzolan. It supports using local and natural volcanic tuffs in developing sustainable mortars for the conservation of historical assets in Turkey.