Programme Overview
Gain hands-on experience with heritage lime mortar techniques within the grounds of Reading Abbey Ruins, a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This full-day CPD course combines classroom theory and discussion with a supervised practical session. The training day also introduces an innovative patented Nano Electro Application Technique (NEAT) has been developed in the laboratories at SHU to increase the penetration and consolidation performance on low-porosity fine-grained limestone.
Why attend this training day
- An introduction to traditional lime mortars and specifying them for use on historic buildings
- Introduction to Nano Electro Application Technique (NEAT) from Sheffield Hallam University researchers
- A live case study – guided walk through Reading Abbey Ruins and hear about the work Cliveden Conservation have carried out there using traditional lime mortars
- Appreciation of different binders, aggregates and additives
Who should attend
Architects, project managers, structural engineers and surveyors.
10.00 – 12.00 Session One: Classroom Presentation
- The benefits of lime
- The importance of appropriate specification
- The lime cycle and the chemistry of lime
- Hydraulic limes, pure limes and their uses
- Binders, aggregates, pozzolans
- Presentation of NEAT with context of research
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 13.30 Guided Walk: Reading Abbey Ruins
- Explore the ruins and learn about the challenges of their conservation
13.30 – 14.00 Practical demonstration of NEAT
- Experience how direct current power supply can drive nanolime particles deeper and more evenly into limestone through electroosmosis, achieving stronger consolidation than conventional application. A walk through the four steps: conditioning, nanolime application, power application, and decommissioning.
14.00 – 16.00 Heritage Lime Mortars Practical
- H&S toolbox talk
- Quicklime slaking demonstration
- In pairs – mixing two mortars using NHL and Quicklime
- Application of mortar to the Abbey Ruins Walls
- Techniques for pointing and consolidation
- Techniques for tending
What you will take away
- Handout with notes
- IHBC certificate
Ben Newman is an art school-trained stonemason and carver with extensive experience of producing high-quality work in the repair of Historic Buildings. He has been teaching stone carving for over seven years and is expert in communicating the practical skills and know-how necessary to begin to master the skill to work stone.
Amelia Morrison studied History of Art at Goldsmiths, University of London; then achieved her Level 3 Bankermasonry Diploma at the Building Crafts College. Amelia is the Stonemasonry Foreman for Architectural Projects at Cliveden Conservation and has worked on many award-winning projects.