Estudo das argamassas históricas existentes nas ruínas da Igreja de Santa Rita de Cássia localizada no município de Pedro Velho/RN - Brasil

Abstract

In an increasingly evident and fundamental way is the search for the conservation of cultural heritage, as a way of maintaining and preserving the identity of a society. Historic buildings are an integral part of this heritage and the best way to conserve and safeguard them is to analyze and understand the materials and methods used during the period of their construction, in order to carry out a more harmonious and efficient restoration, with materials similar to the originals. In this context, this work aims to characterize and study the mortar covering the ruins of the Church of Santa Rita de Cássia, in the city of Pedro Velho/RN - Brazil. To this end, on-site visits were carried out for visual observations and photographic records of the historic ruins, as well as the collection of 30 (thirty) samples of coating mortar for subsequent physical-chemical characterization through visual, tactile analysis and the use of techniques analytical tests carried out in the laboratory, FRX, DRX, mortar content (binder:aggregate) tests by acid attack and granulometric analysis were developed. From these analyzes it was found that the mortars analyzed are rich in lime, with a binder of a calcitic nature and sand of siliceous origin, as aggregate, with the presence of clay in their composition, presenting different binder:aggregate ratios in almost all cases. mortars, ranging from 1:3 to 1:13, proving their production without any technological control. Therefore, in case of a possible future restoration, mortars made of lime and sand with different characteristics must be used, compatible with the settlement site to be restored.