Lime mortar has been a primary binding material in ancient mortar, and is one of the main reasons behind solid and stable constructions that remain stable even after thousands of years. The benefits of lime are innumerable: it is minimally processed and used with a lesser carbon footprint and embodied energy and, most crucially, it is a carbon absorbent. This research experiments with the strength properties (compression) of lime at 28, 56, and 100 days of air curing. The investigation studies the durability using water absorption, UPV test, and carbonation parameters after 100 days of exposure to air. The tested materials are subjected to SEM analysis to find the morphology of the reaction that takes place and the products that are formed. We also performed a comparative study of two different fermented additives by the duration of fermentation (1 day and 10 days) and two different doses of additives (Jaggery and Kadukkai) with air lime. The bio-additives were experimented with using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy for the formation of new enriching compounds, which improved the qualities of traditional lime mortar. The formation of fat and protein in the additives was found using IS 7219-1973 (a method for the determination of protein in foods and feeds). Using the AOAC method, the presence of fat confirms the improvement in strength and durability properties. The phytochemical analysis details the alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, and saponins. Quantification of phenols and flavonoids adds to the beneficial aspects of the fermented additives. The experimental results indicate that using naturally fermented organic materials in the lime has made the structures stronger with the stable build of calcite and vaterite components. The self-healing capacity of lime mortar makes it time resistant.

Lime is an ancient construction material that has been utilized throughout the world in various forms, providing stable construction methods in usable conditions. Lime mortar is well known for its low carbon footprint in production and carbon absorption throughout its lifespan as a hardened material. The significant benefits of lime mortar were analyzed and reviewed for further research. Ancient lime constructions need proper maintenance for aesthetic and structural strengthening to preserve this cultural architecture of national pride. Hence, the characterization of ancient mortars is mandatory for renovation work. Here, we studied the various characterization methods available worldwide. We analyzed samples taken from the 1900-year-old Vedapureeswarar Temple of Thiruvothur, Cheyyar, and the 1800-year-old Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple of Parikkal, located in Tamil Nadu. Hardened samples from these two ancient temples were collected and analyzed. The mineralogical characterization of these mortars using SEM, XRF, FTIR and XRD gave immense knowledge of the mortar matrix. Experimental analysis indicated that using natural organic materials in the lime has made the structures more potent and stable. The characterization study provided information on the ratio of mortar mix used, the presence of organic ingredients, and the need for compatible repair materials for proper maintenance of the temple structures. The characterization study furthers the necessary knowledge to provide a compatible repair material and indicates the need for ancient construction technology in the current highly polluted environment.

Lime masonry walls have been the initial type of masonry wall construction in the construction era. The minimally processed limestone extracted from the lime quarries gives a lesser carbon footprint than any other present-day construction material, making it a sustainable construction material in the construction industry and is the need of the hour. In this study, naturally fermented Bio-Additives, Jaggery and kadukkai were used to make lime mortar for the masonry prisms and walls, and the strength performance was investigated. The bio-additive and the lime powder combination were studied using a pH meter and pH strips to confirm their acidic/basic nature. The lime mortar was experimented with for its flexural strength using a beam specimen. The masonry prism study was initially made with stacked prisms and wall panels (English bond and Flemish bond) for testing compressive strength. The lime mortar thicknesses were varied into two for all the specimens of 10mm and 15mm for both the head and bed joints of the masonry. The experimental analysis revealed that a mortar thickness of 10mm masonry increased the wall's strength more than a mortar of 15mm thickness in the masonry, disproving the myth that higher mortar thickness in masonry increases the strength of the masonry. The mineralogical characterization of the mortar was carried out by SEM-EDAX to know the internal composition and morphological reactions, FTIR for the changes in the organic composition, and DSC-TGA to know the thermal properties of the mortar matrix. This study justifies the use of bio-additives-infused lime mortar for contemporary masonry projects.