Classification model of low-strength mortars from drilling data

Abstract

The drilling resistance test is a minor destructive technique of in situ application, reason why it is frequently used in the characterization of components from old buildings. However, the drilling data obtained in heterogeneous and weak materials, such as lime-based mortars, shows a very high variability, which brings uncertainty to the analysis. This paper proposes a classification model to identify the probable composition and the corresponding technological properties of a given unknown mortar from its drilling data, by comparing it with data from 18 lab-produced mortars with diverse heterogeneities and strengths from low to medium range.