Characterization of the Mortars of El Castillo De San Cristóbal

Authors

Jeremy C. Wells, Roger Williams UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2010

Comments

Published in: Journal of the American Institute of Conservation, Vol. 49, 2010, p.27-44.

Abstract

This study characterizes the formulation of mortars used in the construction of Fort San Cristóbal Located in the city of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Renders, horizontal surface mortars, and bedding mortars representing a period of time from the late 17^th to the early 20^th century were sampled from a variety of outworks on the site. Results of examination using optical microscopy/polarized light microscopy and x-ray diffraction show that mortar formulations were closely tied to their uses as well as their time periods. Evidence is presented that the Spanish were using hydraulic brick dust mortars during the second phase of construction at the fort in the late 18^th century, in reaction to earlier failure of weak clay/lime mortars.

Recommended Citation

Wells, J. C. (2010). Characterization of the Mortars of El Castillo De San Cristóbal. Retrieved from https://docs.rwu.edu/saahp_fp/24