Dry hydrated lime is an air binder often used in architectural injection grouts. This study compared the influences of three commercially available dry hydrated limes on the injection grouts’ workability and mechanical properties. The main differences between the limes were in their chemical and mineralogical composition and Blaine specific surface area. The grouts were composed of dry hydrated lime, finely ground limestone filler, water, and super plasticiser. Subsequent results obtained revealed that the Blaine specific surface area is not directly related to the fresh grout properties. Grain size distribution and shape of lime particles and their aggregates in the water suspension are key parameters influencing the following fresh grout properties: fluidity, injectability, the mixture’s stability, and water retention capacity. However, the lime injection grouts’ mechanical strengths were higher in relation to an increase in the content of portlandite and the Blaine specific surface area of the dry hydrate.

Injection-grout density is an important parameter when its additional weight leads to consolidated decorative plasters becoming damaged. This is especially evident in larger detached areas. In this study, thin-walled soda–lime–borosilicate glass microspheres were used as a density-reducing constituent in hydrated lime grout mixtures. The normal density grout composition—one volume part hydrated lime and three volume parts inert limestone filler with 0.5% of the polycarboxylate ether-based superplasticiser—was modified with partial substitution of the limestone filler with lightweight glass microspheres. The following volumetric proportions between limestone filler and glass microspheres were used: 100%:0%, 67%:33%, 50%:50%, 33%:67%, and 0%:100%. With the increase of the glass microspheres’ volume, the density of the grout is gradually reduced. Furthermore, there is a decrease in the stability and injectability of fresh grout. In its hardened state, the grout’s strength again reduces gradually, but there is no significant change in the grout’s water absorption and water-vapour resistance. The resistance of the grout to freezing–thawing and heating–cooling cycles using distilled water or salt solution is highly improved when the microspheres are present.

Organic additives from plant and animal extracts were commonly used in lime mortar in the past to improve and modify its properties. In modern times, they have been replaced by inorganic additives. The objective of this research is to investigate the influence of fish animal glue and the role of the filler particle size distribution on the fresh and hardened properties and durability of lime grouts. Wet density, water retention, fluidity, and injectability were tested in the fresh state. It was found that the particle size distribution of the selected filler, which can increase the packing density of the solid particles of the grout, and the W/B ratio have a great influence on water retention and fluidity. In the hardened state, porosity and compressive and splitting tensile strength were evaluated on 90-day- and 365-day-old specimens. The presence of animal glue improved the mechanical properties, due to a higher carbonation rate. The combination of the two fillers that resulted in a better packing of filler particles decreased the splitting tensile strength of the grout. To investigate the durability of the selected grouts, adhesion strength was measured on disc-sandwich models after non-accelerated and accelerated aging. The results show that the adhesive strength of grouts aged under laboratory conditions is lower than that of grouts subjected to accelerated aging.

This paper presents the design of lime grouts to stabilise wall paintings from the 13th and 14th centuries in the Romanesque church of St. Nicholas in Selo, Slovenia. Most of the paintings were executed using the secco technique on a single layer of lime plaster made of slaked lime and quartz sand, which was applied to a clay brick masonry base. The thickness of the detached pockets was generally 2 mm to 1 cm, in a few places up to 5 cm, especially in the vault area. Consolidation of detached plaster layers is an irreversible treatment to restore the adhesion between the detached plaster layers. It was therefore important that the grouts met certain criteria in terms of composition and properties in the fresh and hardened state. We developed three grouts that meet general criteria and two specific key requirements, such as low density and sufficient injectability without pre-wetting to prevent new damage and/or the plaster falling off the wall or ceiling during or after the consolidation treatment. The grouts consist of hydrated lime, fillers, polycarboxylate ether superplasticizer (PCE) and water. During the design process, various quartz fillers were tested in different proportions. The reduced density of the grout was achieved by using expanded glass granules as a partial filler substitute. The appropriate injectability of the grout was achieved through the combination of reduced water content and superplasticizer PCE.