Conference Scope

The 1st Historical Mortars Conference which took place in Lisbon, 2008, chaired by Dr. Rosario Veiga from LNEC was a very successful meeting and it gave rise to an idea that such a specialised event on historic mortars should be repeated. During the conference it became clear that sharing knowledge, creating new contacts and interdisciplinary collaborations are very much required in this topic. Mortars are not seen as a single discipline, but attract attention from a wide range of professions. This was confirmed by the number and variety of research projects on mortars which were presented.

Research has been focusing on historic mortars for some time. Demand for an improved scientific and technical guidance for conservation field led to the formation of the RILEM Technical Committee TC 167-COM on ‘Characterisation of old mortars with respect to their repair’ and its follow-up TC 203-RHM ‘Repair mortars for historic masonry’. The later committee is now in its final stage. The final workshop of the TC 203-RHM will be incorporated as part of the conference and the resulting documents promise interesting material for discussions during the conference.

Conference objectives

An objective of the 2nd Historic Mortars Conference is to bring together scientists, technicians and professionals involved in research and studies of historic mortars to present and discuss advances in this topic. The main theme of the conference is the conservation of historic buildings and works of art, i.e. studying mortars with respect to repair. This a unifying field where a truly interdisciplinary collaboration is needed and where contributions of archaeologist, architects, civil and structural engineers, geologists, material scientists, chemists, conservation scientists and art restorers interested in mortars should have their place. Special focus of the conference will be on application research and technical knowledge to conservation practice and vice versa in its reflection on such recommendations.

Conference themes

Characterisation of historic mortars (architectural, material, archaeological, construction and technological aspects)

Assessment of mortars and masonry (diagnostics and testing methods, complex evaluation of masonry and mortars, structural issues, damage and deterioration)

Conservation and restoration issues (case studies, values, authenticity and compatibility of mortars, restoration and conservation techniques)

Repair mortars for historic masonry (design and requirements for repair mortars, testing and evaluation of repair mortars, emerging materials and technologies)

Language

The official language of the conference is English