Research on Two Traditional Silicate Materials in China’s Ancient Building

Silicate is one of the most typical materials in both traditional and modern buildings. A comparative analysis on two silicate materials (ginger nut and Aga soil) used in the ancient buildings of China was presented. The research suggests that ginger nut and Aga soil have similar chemical composition and physical properties. After they are calcined at 700-1400 degrees, they will have a combining characteristic of hydraulicity and nonhydraulicity. As the calcinations temperature rises, the nonhydraulic constituent is firstly increased and then decreased, and the hydraulic constituent is increasing regularly. Both chemical compositions and characteristics of the calcined ginger nut and Aga soil are similar to those of the "Hydraulic lime" in Europe. Thus the properties change of ginger nut and Aga soil can be used for repairing and reinforcing the stone, earthen, brick and ceramic relics.