Design and testing of artificial stone for the restoration of stone elements in monuments and historic buildings

Different structural parts of monuments and historic buildings were based on stone as the main building material, such as masonry and foundation, while many types of stones were also used for decorative, architectural elements, such as reliefs, cornices, corbels, colonnettes. The preservation of stone elements is crucial for the continuity of these structures. Mortar on the other hand is an artificial building material which serves different construction needs, according to the selection and combination of binders and aggregates. By the design of a mortar with similar properties to the specific stone type, a low cost and environmental friendly product of adjustable dimensions, texture and high reproducibility can be achieved. In an effort to re-produce a specific type of stone by an artificial material, many studies have been performed based on polymer resins and fillers. Despite the fact that the results of such research seem promising, the restrictions in the case of monumental structures focusing on using compatible repair materials, renders them inappropriate for restoration works. The development of repair mortars based on inorganic binders for stone restoration receives a lot of attention as a compatible solution. The aim of this study is to present the philosophy of the design, production and testing of artificial stones by the mortar technique, based on principles of compatibility and utilization of the local resources. Repair mortars specially designed for the needs of each site look like the natural stone, present durability and adjustability to the local environment without causing side effects. 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.