Examination of durable mortar from Hadrian's Wall

Abstract

AbstractAbstractSamples of a 1700 year old mortar infill from part of Hadrian's Wall have been analysed using optical and electron probe techniques. The analyses show that considerable quantities of calcium silicate hydrate were formed in the mortar and that much of this has remained uncarbonated. It is suggested that the calcium silicate hydrate is formed from the hydration of β-C2S, this β-C2S being formed during the firing of the limestone by the Roman engineers. The CaO/SiO2 ratio of this hydrate is close to those found in modern calcium silicate hydrates.MST/688