EN 17187:2020

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2020
Ohranjanje kulturne dediščine - Značilnosti malt, ki se uporabljajo pri kulturni
dediščini
Conservation of Cultural Heritage - Characterization of mortars used in cultural heritage
Erhaltung des kulturellen Erbes - Charakterisierung von in kulturellem Erbe verwendeten
Mörteln
Conservation du patrimoine culturel - Caractérisation des mortiers utilisés dans le
patrimoine culturel
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 17187:2020
ICS:
91.100.10 Cement. Mavec. Apno. Malta Cement. Gypsum. Lime.
Mortar
97.195 Umetniški in obrtniški izdelki. Items of art and handicrafts.
Kulturne dobrine in kulturna Cultural property and
dediščina heritage
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 17187
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
April 2020
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 97.195
English Version
Conservation of Cultural Heritage - Characterization of
mortars used in cultural heritage
Conservation du patrimoine culturel - Caractérisation Erhaltung des kulturellen Erbes - Charakterisierung
des mortiers utilisés dans le patrimoine culturel von in kulturellem Erbe verwendeten Mörteln
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 24 February 2020.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 17187:2020 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Typology of mortars . 6
5 Preliminary operations . 7
6 Methodology . 8
7 Characterization report . 13
Bibliography. 15

European foreword
This document (EN 17187:2020) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 346
“Conservation of Cultural Heritage”, the secretariat of which is held by UNI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2020, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by October 2020.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.
Introduction
The characterization of mortars used in cultural heritage is an essential step to formulate a
conservation plan, in order to decide on appropriate remedial interventions, to achieve better working
practices, and technologies for restoration interventions including mortar replacement, reinstatement,
reintegration and stone repair. Many different types of mortars have been used in cultural heritage
structures and objects (for example hydraulic mortars, air lime mortars, pozzolanic, natural cements)
and, therefore, it is important that the typology of mortars is described and the characterization is
achieved through a consistent and uniform methodology. It should be remembered that mortar
characterization can also be carried out as part of the historical/documentation process.
This document provides cultural heritage professionals with a guidance for a common methodology for
the characterization of mortars used in cultural heritage. This information is used to define
mineralogical, petrographic, physical, chemical and mechanical properties of these materials.
The characterization of mortar used in cultural heritage is expected to be carried out and interpreted by
professionals experienced in the field of materials or conservation science and/or conservation/
restoration.
Where possible, existing standards are referred to and guidance provided where different specimens
are required and additional methods can be used. The characterization methods described are generally
destructive, however, non-destructive (NDT) methods are always preferable to destructive methods if
they can provide the required information.
Methods used for mortar analysis can vary depending upon the objectives of the work. All
investigations and analyses will be proportional to the significance of the building or artefact being
investigated, its condition and the likely extent or type of intervention.
In this document the term mortar is defined as in EN 16572, that is “material traditionally composed of
one or more (usually inorganic) binders, aggregates, water, possible additives and admixtures
combined to form a paste used in masonry for bedding, jointing and bonding, and for surface finishing
(plastering and rendering) of masonry units, which subsequently sets to form a stiff material”.
1 Scope
This document specifies a methodology for the characterization of mortars by using the most
appropriate analytical techniques on samples taken from cultural heritage structures and objects.
This document contains guidelines for the selection of methods to determine mineralogical, textural,
physical, chemical and mechanical properties of mortars used in cultural heritage structures and
objects. This information is used to define mortar typology and to evaluate the mortar condition with
respect to its conservation as well as for understanding of the ongoing deterioration processes.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1015-12, Methods of test for mortar for masonry - Part 12: Determination of adhesive strength of
hardened rendering and plastering mortars on substrates
EN 1936, Natural stone test methods - Determination of real density and apparent density, and of total
and open porosity
EN 13755, Natural stone test methods - Determination of water absorption at atmospheric pressure
EN 15801, Conservation of cultural property - Test methods - Determination of water absorption by
capillarity
EN 15803, Conservation of cultural property - Test methods - Determination of water vapour permeability
(δp)
EN 15886, Conservation of cultural property - Test methods - Colour measurement of surfaces
EN 15898, Conservation of cultural heritage - Main general terms and definitions
EN 16085, Conservation of Cultural property - Methodology for sampling from materials of cultural
property - General rules
EN 16572, Conservation of cultural heritage - Glossary of technical terms concerning mortars for masonry,
renders and plasters used in cultural heritage
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 15898, EN 16085 and
EN 16572 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/ui
4 Typology of mortars
4.1 Principal binders
a) clay material;
b) gypsum;
c) air lime;
d) natural hydraulic lime (NHL);
e) natural cement (Roman cement, Parker’s cement, etc.);
f) ordinary Portland cement (OPC);
g) organic.
NOTE Some mortars will be formed from a mixture of binders.
4.2 Principal aggregates
a) natural sediments – sand, etc.;
b) crushed rocks – calcitic, dolomitic, siliceous;
c) artificial materials.
4.3 Principal additives and admixtures
a) inorganic:
natural pozzolans – fine size cocciopesto, etc.
b) organic:
coal, ash, etc.;
resins – oils, waxes, etc.;
fibres – straw, bristles, hair, etc.
The relationship between the mortar components is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 — Typology of mortars – relationship between components
This figure can be used as a basis to describe the typology of mortars used in cultural heritage. It is
intended to cover most commonly found mortars. It is not exhaustive but the techniques described in
this document can be applied to most mortars.
5 Preliminary operations
5.1 Initial survey
An initial survey of the object, together with the objectives of the mortar characterization, and the
description of the context are essential for the selection of the analytical methodology. Where the object
is part of the immovable heritage a condition survey should be undertaken in accordance with
EN 16096 or if the object is part of the moveable heritage a condition report should be made in
accordance with EN 16095.
The condition report or survey should be supplemented by sufficient information to allow a preliminary
assessment of the existing mortars, their relative chronological position, and their condition. This
preliminary assessment should include: function, general mortar types (pointing mortar, repointing
mortar, repair mortar, bedding mortar, render, plaster, moulded or cast features, etc.), the macroscopic
characteristics, such as colour and texture, main visible components, structural aspects and apparent
condition.
5.2 Sampling
Sampling shall be undertaken in accordance with EN 16085. In all cases, the location, the orientation,
the number, the amount, the size and the shape of the specimens used should be documented in the test
report (see Clause 7). In accordance with the initial survey, it should be stated whether the mortar
specimen to be characterized is derived from sound or deteriorated part of the object. Undisturbed
samples should be labelled and then packaged and stored properly during transport in order to avoid
structural alterations.
6 Methodology
6.1 Selection of analytical methods
A flowchart to assist in the selection of analytical methods is given in Figure 2.

Key
Analytical techniques  Results ––––- To be undertaken when possible
Figure 2 — Chemical, mineralogical and petrographic characterization of mortars: binder and
aggregate(s)
6.2 Macroscopic observations
The preliminary information obtained during the in situ macroscopic observations shall be confirmed
by a further examination of the specimens.
This examination enables an initial assessment of:
a) texture of the mortar (including porosity, etc.);
b) the aggregate (colour, distribution, approximate size, shape (where possible), etc.);
c) the binder (colour);
d) stratigraphy and chronology (if any);
e) cohesion/adhesion within mortar (layers/joints);
f) decay forms (if any);
g) residues of protection and/or aesthetic treatments;
h) other visible components (lumps, fibres, …).
In cases where it is expected that a hydraulic binder is present, the depth and extent of carbonation
shall be determined with an appropriate pH indicator.
The standard EN 15886 specifies a method for the measurement of surface colour. Alternatively a
Munsell chart can be u
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