This study examined the mechanical behavior characteristics of cold recycled emulsified asphalt bases with RAP 76% and emulsified asphalt 3%, in different cure time, i.e., 0, 7, 14 and 28 days and evaluated in terms of the resilient modulus (RM) and permanent deformation (PD) based on repeated load triaxial tests. The results demonstrated that in the first 7 days, the RM increased by 80% compared to the freshly compacted material and after this period, the subsequent increases were not as significant, ranging, from 10.9% to 19.4%, that shows that initical cure time significantly influences the RM behavior of the mixtures. However, the mixtures showed considerable permanent deformations, even after 28 days of curing. This indicates that the use of asphalt emulsion, with prolonged curing, improves the mechanical properties of the mixture but does not entirely resolve the issue of permanent deformation in cold reclaimed asphalt mixture (CRAM). The plastic deformation behavior observed in the triaxial tests must be taken into account when designing pavements containing RAP and asphalt emulsion.

Mortars are still among the most used wall coatings, whether lime-based or cement-based or traditional and prepared in situ or pre-dosed. When these mortars are formulated and characterized, the influence of the substrate on their characteristics is not taken into account. To study the influence of the substrate on the mortar characteristics, it is necessary to apply the mortar on the substrate, and after its hardening process, to detach it, test it, and then compare its characteristics with those of standard specimens subjected to standard tests. The central problem focuses on detaching the mortar without damaging it, in order to obtain specimens suitable for testing. For this, a fibreglass mesh, positioned at the mortar–substrate interface, can be used to facilitate the detachment in the experimental program. The objective of the present study is to understand if the fibreglass mesh influences the characteristics of the detached mortar. The methodology adopted was as follows: mortars were applied to the substrates, both using the mesh (with the net positioned at the mortar–substrate interface) and without using the mesh, and after hardening, they were detached and tested; then, the independent sample t-test was used to evaluate the differences between the results obtained for the mortars applied with the mesh and without the mesh. As a result, it was concluded that the use of the mesh does not significantly influence the macrostructural properties studied. The relevance of the present study lies in the development of an experimental methodology that allows for the characterization of mortar’s behaviour after its application on the substrate, i.e., that enables the substrate’s influence to be considered in the formulation of each mortar.

Mortar that is typically employed for interior or exterior coatings can be characterised using laboratory-prepared specimens according to specific test standards; however, its performance undergoes changes following application on substrates. When selecting mortar, it is vital to anticipate its in-service behaviour after its application on substrates to make the most informed choice. Most of the research work carried out to date analyses the characteristics of mortar in laboratory specimens. Some studies analyse these characteristics after its application to support, but very few exist that compare both behaviours. With this objective in mind, this research determined the properties of mortar when cured within laboratory moulds and assessed the behaviour of the same mortar after application on diverse substrate types. This study specifically evaluated the behaviour of a pre-dosed hydraulic lime mortar when applied on concrete blocks, lightweight concrete blocks, concrete slabs, hollow ceramic bricks, and solid ceramic bricks. Later, this behaviour was compared to the same type of mortar hardened in laboratory moulds and the same type of mortar applied on substrates and subjected to accelerated ageing. Moreover, data from previous experimental work were used to compare the behaviour of the pre-dosed hydraulic lime mortar with that of pre-dosed cement mortar when applied on similar substrates. The research drew upon a comprehensive characterisation of the physical and mechanical parameters of mortar, revealing that the performance of these types of mortar undergoes significant changes after application on substrates under in-service conditions, mainly when applied on more porous substrates. It was concluded that the application of mortar to substrates increased bulk density, decreased open porosity, enhanced compressive strength, and resulted in faster capillary absorption. For mortars subjected to accelerated ageing, a notable reduction in water vapour permeability was observed, which was attributed to changes in the pore profile.