Title: Performance of lime-based coating mortars with aggregate from different industries

Authors: Poliana Bellei; João Pacheco; Maria Paula Mendes; Julio Veloso; Runar Solstad; Isabel Torres; Inês Flores-Colen

Addresses: CERIS, IST, University of Lisbon, Avenida Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal; C5LAB – Sustainable Materials Association, Edifício Central Park, Rua Central Park 6, 2795-242 Linda-a-Velha, Portugal ' CERIS, IST, University of Lisbon, Avenida Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal; C5LAB – Sustainable Materials Association, Edifício Central Park, Rua Central Park 6, 2795-242 Linda-a-Velha, Portugal ' CERIS, IST, University of Lisbon, Avenida Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal; C5LAB – Sustainable Materials Association, Edifício Central Park, Rua Central Park 6, 2795-242 Linda-a-Velha, Portugal ' CERIS, IST, University of Lisbon, Avenida Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal; C5LAB – Sustainable Materials Association, Edifício Central Park, Rua Central Park 6, 2795-242 Linda-a-Velha, Portugal ' Nofima, The Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Muninbakken 9-13, 9019 Tromsø, Norway ' CERIS, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Luis Reis dos Santos, 290, 3030-790, Coimbra, Portugal; Itecons, Rua Pedro Hispano, 3030-289, Coimbra, Portugal ' CERIS, IST, University of Lisbon, Avenida Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal

Abstract: This study focuses on the reuse of various types of waste, including industrial waste from aquaculture (oyster shells), plastics (disposable protective masks), and construction and demolition waste used as aggregates in hydraulic lime mortars. The researchers conducted mortar characterisation tests in the fresh state, as well as in the hardened state. The mortars containing oyster shells and construction and demolition recycled aggregates did not exhibit significant differences compared to the reference mortar. However, the mortars produced with construction and demolition recycled aggregates demonstrated higher mechanical strengths than the other mixtures. The viscosity of the reference mortar and of the mortars with 100% construction and demolition recycled aggregate showed similar results. The type IIR face mask waste incorporation into the mortars resulted in the lowest density of all lime-based mortars tested. Utilising industrial waste in composites contributes to a circular economy, reducing raw material extraction, and minimising landfilling.

Keywords: oyster shell; type IIR face mask; construction and demolition recycled aggregate; hydraulic lime mortar.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2026.150368

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, 2026 Vol.11 No.1, pp.35 - 53

Received: 04 Oct 2023
Accepted: 22 Dec 2023
Published online: 12 Dec 2025 *

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