This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in International Journal of Architectural Heritage on 2018, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/15583058.2017.1323247.

Mortar is of all masonry components the most difficult to be experimentally characterised in heritage buildings. This paper investigates the possibility of combining different in-situ and laboratory minor destructive testing (MDT) techniques to assess the strength of mortar in historical brickwork. Lime mortar and clay brick walls were built in the laboratory and then tested in order to derive empirical correlation rules among three different MDT techniques: double punch test (DPT), helix pull-out test (HPT) and pin penetration test (PPT). The outcomes of this activity were used eventually to assess the mortar properties of an important historical heritage structure, Casa Puig i Cadafalch, located near Barcelona. The research is intended to promote the use of MDT in studies and conservation works on built cultural heritage by providing criteria for the evaluation of the strength of existing mortar with respectful sampling and testing techniques.

Peer Reviewed