Characterisation of construction materials: a chemical comparison of historical mortars

Abstract

[EN] This text outlines the results obtained in a case study about construction materials analysis, concerning a set of watchtowers scattered throughout the territory of Cuenca Province, Spain. The complete understanding of these buildings has been possible thanks to different approaches. Territorial analysis, historic study, surveys and construction definition have been the key-factors of architectural research. But a good result could not be possible without a rigorous chemical study. Samples carried out on mortars from different watchtowers have been compared and analyzed. In this frame, a wide range of microanalysis methods has been applied to the samples (i.e. light microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy-X-ray, X-ray diffraction, granulometric analysis, insoluble residue) with the purpose of confirming the constructive homogeneity and technology of the buildings, as interesting examples of Spanish Christian Reconquest.