Parameterisation of gypsum mortar for alternative structural consolidation of traditional floors

Abstract

The role of gypsum as a construction material in vernacular architecture, not only as an auxiliary material, but also for enhancing structural features in floors and even in pillars, has had a long-standing history of application in different traditional buildings in some parts of Spain. The authors have identified the main properties of this material from a structural point of view by experimenting in situ on traditional gypsum jack arch floors as part of the project “Structural consolidation of traditional floors with compression layers of gypsum with fibres” (UPV/PAID-05-11/2893). Several traditional and commercial compression layers for traditional floors were made with different proportions of water in the mixture to parameterise its use and achieve the ideal thickness and dosage. In this research, the authors have used both traditional dosages and experimental mixtures containing fibres, which were monitored by standard tests of surface hardness and resistance to compression and flexion. This work presents the main results of the properties of the different types gypsum obtained in the laboratory analysis phase as an alternative option for the structural reinforcement of traditional floors.