Mechanical and microstructural properties of Phaselis Roman mortar based on hydraulic lime characterization with calcite and recycled brick and optimization with Taguchi method

This research focuses on the sustainable use of materials by analyzing the chemical and mechanical effects of adding a hydraulic lime-based binder, calcite (CaCO 3 ), and recycled brick powder to Roman mortars from Phaselis. The main objective of the study was to determine the effects of these ingredients on Roman mortars. For this purpose, sand was partially replaced with recycled brick powder. In the experimental studies, the mortar specimens were subjected to compressive strength (CS) and flexural strength (FS) tests after curing for 28 days. Based on the mechanical tests, the CS values of the mortars ranged from 2.55 to 12.36 MPa, while the FS values ranged from 1.53 to 4.51 MPa. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy were used to investigate the microstructural properties of the samples and the chemical composition of the binder medium. The study shows that the pore structure of lime-based mortars can be optimized using waste materials for both the restoration of historical monuments and the construction of sustainable new structures. Overall, this research contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage and the development of environmentally friendly structures by demonstrating the feasibility of producing Roman mortars from waste materials.