Mortars and Cements

By L J Vicat

Publication date 1997

652 Pages

L J Vicat's investigatiosn into the nature and use of limes first appreared in this English language edition in 1837 translated by Captian J T Smith, with the inclusion of extensive notes on developments in England at that time. Vicat's work is of immense interest and importance as it critically reviews the practices of time, sifting the good ones from the bad by careful experiment. In addition he was able to take developments in lime a stage further, describing very simple procedures which would make it possible to assess the nature of lime from any deposit encountered. The classification which he prepared is still vail today and enables the best possible use to be made of any lime, particulary for hydraulic works. Despite been first published over 100 years ago, this is a very readable volume, and it will not just be of interest to conservation professionals and construction historians but everyone involved in the use of lime buildings.

Content:

Limestsones*Calcination of limestone*Hydraulic limes*Expansion of limes*Hydrates of limes*Sands and their qualities*Pouzzolanas*Mortars or cements intended for immersion, exposed to the weather, or subjected to constant damp soil*Natural cements*Ancient Mortars*Other theories of calcareous mortars and cements*

About the Author:

In 1812 L. J. Vicat, as an engineer in the France of the Napoleonic wars, began research into the nature and use of limes, particularly their use in hydrulic engineering works. By 1818 he has made sense of a complex subject and he presented a publication Recherches Experimentales sur les Chaux de Construction, les Betons et les Mortiers Ordinaires to the Institut de France - Academie Royale de Sciences. Ten years later, in 1828, he reworked that text to include notes on further major investigations, particularly those of other French engineers.

From the Reviews:

The classificatio which Vicat prepared is still vaild today and enables the best use to be made of lime, paticularly for hydraulic works.

RIBA Conservation Forum

Togeather with Pasley's Observations on Limes it forms a useful and fascinating double volume for all who have more than a trivial interest in limes and mortars.

Masonry International