Elsevier, Construction and Building Materials, (102), p. 125-132
DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.10.169
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Calcined diatomite mortars retain and transport water above waterproofing barriers. The volumetric dosage changed from 1:3 to 1:2 reduces capillary coefficient levels. Non-calcined diatomite mortar showed better results in comparison with NHL3.5. Non-calcined diatomite shows better results in opposition to calcined diatomite. a b s t r a c t This paper presents recent development in experimental assessment of the capillarity involving the effect of diatomaceous earth in water proofing barriers (1940s and 1950s solutions). The introduction of diato-mite in hydraulic lime mortars as a waterproofing barrier was firstly reported in licensed architectural plans after 1945 in the central region of Portugal. This was the period of Modernist buildings, a recent heritage to preserve and widely disseminated worldwide, recognised as the 20th century heritage. A methodology was presented to test these types of solutions considering the calcined and not calcined dia-tomite. Experiments reveal that two aspects need to take into account: (1) the presence of not calcined diatomite tends to have a better behaviour in relation to calcined diatomite; (2) the type of diatomite— calcined or not calcined—has influence in the capacity of retaining water in the barrier, as well as the variation of volumetric dosage of the components.