Comparison of gypsum based traditional cas mortar and cement based mortar

The most common binder used in masonry mortars today is Portland cement, which first appeared in the second half of the 19th century. Portland cement has largely replaced gypsum and lime mortars used in construction from antiquity to the 21st century. However, since low-strength gypsum, lime or gypsum and lime mortars are generally used in historical buildings, the use of high-strength cement-based mortars in the renovation or restoration of these buildings causes crushing and damage to historical buildings. In this study, physical, chemical and mechanical analyses such as water absorption, heat and sound conductivity, compressive and flexural strength, as well as Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDX) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses were carried out to compare the characteristics of gypsum-based traditional Cas mortar and cement-based mortars used in Cas houses, which are original architectural works built in and around Siirt since the 19th century. In the experimental studies, it was determined that Cas mortar is a gypsum-based mortar and the thermal and sound conductivity and mechanical values of cement-based mortars are superior to gypsum-based mortars. However, it was concluded that the use of the original mortar or cement-based mortar mixture for the restoration and strengthening of historical buildings will contribute to the strength and durability of the masonry structure.