Browsing by Author "Su-Cadirci, Tugce Busra"

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Citation - WoS: 1
Citation - Scopus: 2
Analysis of Mosaic Mortars From the Roman, Byzantine and Early Islamic Periods Sourced From Gerasa's Northwest Quarter
(Springer, 2024) Ball, Richard J.; Ansell, Martin P.; Su-Cadirci, Tugce Busra; Baki, Vahiddin Alperen; Fletcher, Philip J.; Lichtenberger, Achim; Wootton, Will
This study analyses and compares around 650 years of mosaic mortar production spanning the Roman, late Roman and Umayyad periods, at Gerasa/Jerash in Jordan, offering a better understanding of composition, structural features, and manufacturing processes. It assesses the value of optical and electron microscopy examination of morphological and textural features, pore structure using MIP, and composition studies using EDX, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and Raman spectroscopy. The study indicated high density lime adhesive was used compared to other mortars. Wood was used as a fuel when producing the lime and natural fibres were incorporated when manufacturing mortars. Aggregates were primarily calcitic with a small proportion of silica-based aggregates. Key outcomes of the study conclude that early Roman mortars were of highest quality, which was demonstrated through the careful selection of materials including different stone for lime and tesserae, and differences between layers. Late Roman mortars used the same slaked lime plus fibres and charcoal. Mortars dating from the Umayyad period also had the same higher lime content than late Roman, but higher porosity with fibres and charcoal. In general, the mortars showed slight differences in content and aggregate; different stone for lime and tesserae. The research attests to underlying traditions as well as changes in mortar mixes and methods according to context and time. The resulting data is contextualized within local and regional approaches.
Enhancing the Freeze Thaw Resistance of Pozzolanic Lime Mortars by Optimising the Dewatering Process
(Springer, 2024) Su-Cadirci, Tugce Busra; Ince, Ceren; Calabria-Holley, Juliana; Ball, Richard James
Freeze-thaw weathering is commonly attributed to the premature degradation of lime mortars. This study is unique as it explores how the effect of incorporating pozzolanic brick dust, combined with the dewatering mechanism, can influence the resistance to freeze-thaw cycling. The combination of brick dust and hydrated lime constitutes a pozzolanic lime mortar with hydraulic character. Importantly, the addition of brick dust was shown to play a crucial role by modifying the pore structure of the mortar matrix, which affected the water transport kinetics, and durability. This rigorous investigation evaluates the freeze and thaw resistance of hardened young (7-day) and old (180-day) mortars in both dewatered and non-dewatered conditions. Quantitative analysis of the microstructure highlights the role of brick dust and dewatering in densifying the matrix, refining the pore structure, and enhancing the freeze and thaw resistance. The benefits of dewatered brick dust mortars were demonstrated as young-age dewatered mortars showed similar resistance to freeze and thaw compared to the older-age non-dewatered mortars. This was attributed to the reduction of the water/binder ratio due to dewatering. It has been successfully demonstrated that freshly mixed mortars can be enhanced on-site through the addition of brick dust and coupling with a substrate that promotes dewatering. Using this approach to produce mortars with greater freeze thaw resistance will improve longevity and reduce failure rates. Impact will be realised in mortars for both new build and conservation applications.