Experimental Study on Engineering and Thermal Properties of Mortar and Plaster Produced With Pumice Aggregate

Abstract Now, it is widely accepted by civil engineers and architects that walls and masonry building units, which are made of pumice, can insulate buildings against both heat and sound, and also reduce the dead load of the building compared to traditional buildings. In this study, pumice was used as a fine aggregate in mortar and plaster instead of traditional crushed limestone sand. This study shows that the properties of pumice mortars indicate lower values compared to limestone mortars for workability durations, time of settings, and fresh and hardened unit weights. Other properties of pumice mortars indicate higher values compared to limestone mortars, such as water absorption, coefficient of capillary water absorption, drying shrinkage, flexural strength, and compressive strength. Also, wall systems made with pumice mortar and plaster show significant benefits in terms of thermal conductivity.