Characterization of Mortar from Church Ruins in Barangay Budiao, Daraga, Albay

Abstract

The lack of information about the correct ways of restoring historical masonry materials from cultural heritage structures tends to create more damage to the said structures. According to Cesare Brandi's theory of restoration, existing historical materials must be replaced with their equivalent. This paper presents the chemical composition of historical mortars acquired from church ruins of barangay Budiao, Daraga, Albay, Philippines. The historical mortar sample was characterized using petrographic analysis, sieve analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and infrared spectroscopy (IR). Petrographic analysis shows that the mortar sample is bounded by 90% organic material particularly coral and is held together by microcrystalline calcite (micrite) matrix that comprises of 10% of the total sample mortar composition. Sieve analysis shows a well-graded particle distribution. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was also utilized to determine the %Ca for each sieve fraction using HCl for acid digestion. TGA thermograph shows the non-linear drop in weight between 740 o C and 850 o C, which corresponds to the degradation temperature of calcium carbonate or limestone. IR analysis shows essential characteristic peaks of CaCO 3 at 712 cm -1 , 874 cm -1 , and 1437 cm -1 .

Teaching Chemistry for Cultural Heritage in the Philippines: A Graduate Course for Non-Science Students

“…FTIR Characterization of mortar from church ruins in Barangay Budiao, Daraga, Albay. (Mangay et al, 2018). AAS, FTIR, TGA Petrographic and thermal characterization of mortar from a church ruin in Cagsawa, Albay, Philippines.…”

Analytical Chemistry Methods of Estimating the Hydraulic Lime Characteristics of Mortars from a Spanish Colonial Period Fortification in the Philippines: Perspective of a Southeast Asian Country | Mga Pamamaraan ng Suriing Kapnayan sa Pagtantya ng Katangiang Haydroliko ng Apog sa Argamasa na Mula sa Isang Panahon ng Kastilang Kuta sa Pilipinas: Pananaw ng Isang Bansa sa Timog-Silangang Asya

“…The complexity of the lime mortar's chemical composition and the lack of substantial historical records on the technology employed during its production have made chemical analysis necessary to gain more information on its manufacturing method. Baseline chemical data on old lime mortars in Southeast Asian countries was reported from the Philippines, particularly from Christian church ruins in Manila (Cayme and Asor Jr 2016), Misamis Oriental (Cayme and Asor Jr 2017), Albay (i.e., Budiao and Cagsawa) (Laplana et al 2018;Mangay et al 2018), and a missionary chapel in Marikina (Cayme et al 2018). Furthermore, chemical investigations were also applied on lime mortars for future conservation works of different ancient Buddhist temples (wats) and a palace in Bangkok and Ayutthaya in Thailand (Mahasuwanchai et al 2020;Wonganan et al 2021), and the Fort Cornwallis in Penang, Malaysia (Harun et al 2002;Ismail et al 2003).…”