Physico-chemical study of Cretan ancient mortarsPhysico-chemical study of Cretan ancient mortars Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-11-012003enMortars from monuments of various periods in Crete, from Minoan up to now, have been studied (concerning mineralogical and chemical composition, grain size distribution, raw materials, tensile strength) in order to assess their durability in a marine and humid environment. The lime technology and raw materials, irrespective of the various historic periods, diversify the final composites into mortars, such as: (a) lime, (b) hydraulic lime, (c) lime with crushed brick, and (d) lime with pozzolanic material. These present binders in quantities ranging from 22% (pozzolanic mortars) to 29% (lime mortars). Hydraulic compounds, such as calcium silicate/aluminate hydrates, and tensile strength are higher in the pozzolanic mortars followed by crushed brick lime, hydraulic lime, and lime mortars. High quantities of water-soluble salts identified in the lime mortars indicate their risk of disintegration. A calculation procedure is presented herein, based on the combination of mineralogical and chemical analyses that allows the determination of the binder/aggregate proportion.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Cement and Concrete Research533651–661 Maravelaki Pagona Μαραβελακη Παγωνα Bakolas, A Moropoulou, A Elsevier Agents, Search Engines, Search Search agents search engines agents search engines search search agents