Autor(es): Lourenço, Paulo B. ; Azenha, Miguel ; Pereira, João Miguel
Data: 2025
Identificador Persistente: https://hdl.handle.net/1822/94574
Origem: RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
Assunto(s): Lime mortars; Sustainability; Masonry construction; Heritage conservation; SUBLime Network; Environmental performance
Lime mortars play a crucial role in European and global masonry construction, offering several advantages over cement-based alternatives. These include low water penetration, improved breathability, better moisture control, enhanced workability, and lower carbon footprint. Moreover, lime-based mor-tars are compatible with ancient masonry, making them essential for the con-servation of heritage buildings. Initiated in 2021 and funded by the European Commission, the SUBLime Network is a collaborative effort involving six aca-demic institutions, twelve partner organizations, and fifteen PhD students. Its primary goal is to train researchers across various scientific and engineering disciplines to develop sustainable innovation solutions for lime mortars and plasters. This encompasses both new construction projects and the preservation of historical structures. SUBLime's focus areas include material characteriza-tion, numerical modeling of multi-physics behavior, functionality, and sustaina-bility in lime use. The project emphasizes innovative approaches such as bio-mimetic and closed-loop recycling methods. Specific contributions encompass microstructural and chemical characterization, testing methodologies, simula-tion of microstructural development, understanding of phenomena like creep and shrinkage, and development of functional materials. These efforts align with current EU objectives on environmental performance, striving towards carbon neutrality and increased sustainability in construction practices.
