nigel copsey

University of York, Independent Researcher and Practitioner, Research Associate.

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Stonemason, building conservator, author, researcher and educator with an emphasis upon like-for-like repair and conservation and traditional hot mixed lime and earth-lime mortars.
Address: Stonegarth, Main Street, Gillamoor, North Yorkshire. YO62 7HX. UK

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Papers by nigel copsey

Further Rudiments of Traditional Mortar Preparation and Use. An Inquiry into Traditional Dey Slaking

Archaeology and Science 20, 2024

This paper represents a somewhat deeper inquiry into traditional lime slaking methods as detailed... more This paper represents a somewhat deeper inquiry into traditional lime slaking methods as detailed in numerous historic texts, and as amplified by the author’s recent experience and material science. It will look more specifically at the patterns of dry slaking and at the use of lime and hair only, or very lime rich lime, hair, limestone dust mortars, which were so prevalent prior to the 19th and 20th centuries. It will also question the sense of the unevidenced prejudice of the ‘Lime Revival’ against the use of dry slaked lime when set against the extensive evidence for such a slaking method being very common throughout time in craft practices, and being included in Roman practice. It will explore the benefits that the crafts may have found in different slaking methods – initial dry or wet slaking – and in the use of very lime rich mortars, according to purpose, and will highlight the advantage and benefit of using similar mortars, prepared in similar ways, for the practicable like for like and compatible repair of traditional and historic building fabrics of all kinds, as well as for, or in association with, new and sustainable buildings of low carbon footprints and comparable performance and potential longevity.

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Critical Review of Historic Literature Concerning Traditional Lime and Earth-Lime Mortars

Examination and Analysis of Mortar Samples CMC 1.0 Introduction Two samples of mortar were delive... more Examination and Analysis of Mortar Samples CMC 1.0 Introduction Two samples of mortar were delivered to CMC's Stirling laboratory by ********** ******* on the 28 th September 2016. The samples were delivered to CMC with the request that they be examined and analysed to establish the components from which each of the mortars were made and determine their mix composition. The samples were stated to have been removed from original masonry construction from two areas within the Vindolanda Roman Fort, which is situated to the South of Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. The samples were removed from the construction by Archaeologists working on the Fort. This report presents observations from the examination of the samples received, along with the results of the analyses carried out, concluding with a summary of our observations. Two samples were received from ********** ********, who delivered them to CMC's Stirling laboratory on the 28 th September 2016. The samples were stated to be from areas of original masonry within the Vindolanda Fort complex. On receipt in the laboratory the sample details were entered into the sample register and the unique sample reference SR2422 allocated. The samples were further identified by the Client's sample reference, which is reproduced below along with details of the sample locations: Description/Location Ref. Ref. Sample 1 Pre Hadrian, 100AD, removed from Bath House SR2422-S2 Sample 2 AD 213 Fort Wall, sampled from the Rampart backing. The samples, as received, were initially measured, weighed and photographed, prior to being submitted to a microscopic examination with the aid of a stereo-binocular microscope at magnifications up to x 20. Following the initial examination representative sub-samples were obtained from each sample and these dried in an air circulating oven at 60°C, to a constant weight to permit their as-received moisture content to be determined. From the dried material sub-samples were prepared and these submitted to acid digestion following the procedures of the Scottish Lime Centre Trust (SLCT) for determination of acid soluble binder content. This also permitted the recovery of the sand for examination and grading.

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Like-For-Like and Compatible Mortars for the Repair of Traditional Buildings

The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Jul 24, 2020

The subject of this paper is traditional mortar preparation and materials, particularly earth-lim... more The subject of this paper is traditional mortar preparation and materials, particularly earth-lime and air or feebly hydraulic hot mixed lime mortars with particular emphasis upon British practice and experience, whilst stressing their international ubiquity historically. It will demonstrate their appropriate functional performance and attest to the need to use similar mortars, similarly composed and prepared, in the repair and conservation of traditionally constructed buildings. It will question how commonly modern Natural Hydraulic Limes may be considered to be like-for-like or of compatible strength and functional performance. The paper will draw upon extensive research into historic texts, as well as primary archive research into historic building accounts and the latest research into the properties of lime rich air lime mortars and NHL mortars.

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BLF Journal Vol 27 pp46-

Journal of the Building Limes Forum, 2020

Nigel trained as a stonemason and carver at Weymouth College. He has a BA (Hons) in political sci... more Nigel trained as a stonemason and carver at Weymouth College. He has a BA (Hons) in political science and, more recently, an MA (by research) from the University of York and a PGDip in building conservation from Bournemouth University. Nigel is a research associate of the Department of Archaeology at the University of York, where he regularly delivers traditional skills training as part of the MA conservation studies course. He currently works in the conservation industry in North Yorkshire, and for several decades he has also worked in North America as a consultant and practitioner. Factors influencing traditional mortars in Canada T raditional mortar use in Canada was heavily influenced by European practice. In Eastern Canada, there was a notable British influence. This was partly due to an influx of British loyalists, who migrated extensively into Upper Canada (now Ontario) after the American War of Independence (1775-83), and partly to the 19thcentury economically and physically coerced migration of typically working-class, farming and artisanal communities from the Scottish Highlands and Islands. 1 French traditions were equally influential on mortar use in Eastern Canada-these remain particularly strong in and around Ontario and Quebec-and the constant immigration also brought practices from other parts of Europe, such as Ukraine, and beyond.

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The Rudiments of Traditional Mortar Preparation and Use

Arheologija i prirodne nauke

This paper seeks to summarise recent major shifts in the understanding of the nature and provenan... more This paper seeks to summarise recent major shifts in the understanding of the nature and provenance of traditional mortars, the nature of the lime most used for the preparation of these mortars, as well as the methodology of the crafts in their preparation. It draws upon the author's experience of designing and using such mortars over a 20-year period, but also upon extensive research into old texts about lime and mortars written over the last 2,000 years, as well as upon extensive analysis of primary building accounts from England and elsewhere. It also references an expanding body of academic research in the characterisation of composition, as well as of the performance of such mortars, itself a significant shift in focus and understanding. It will set out the primacy of the quicklime slaking method in the delivery of successful mortar performance, optimal in the context of traditional building technology, and will reiterate the absolute importance of observing traditional lime choices, slaking method, rules and mortar proportion in the achievement of durable mortars of optimal performance for the like-for-like and compatible repair of traditional buildings of all kinds and status.

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THE RUDIMENTS OF TRADITIONAL MORTAR PREPARATION AND USE APN Volume

ARCHAEOLOGY AND SCIENCE 18, 2022

This paper seeks to summarise recent major shifts in the understanding of the nature and provenan... more This paper seeks to summarise recent major shifts in the understanding of the nature and provenance of traditional mortars, the nature of the lime most used for the preparation of these mortars, as well as the methodology of the crafts in their preparation. It draws upon the author’s experience of designing and using such mortars over a 20-year period, but also upon extensive research into old texts about lime and mortars written over the last 2,000 years, as well as upon extensive analysis of primary building accounts from England and elsewhere. It also references an expanding body of academic research in the character- isation of composition, as well as of the performance of such mortars, itself a significant shift in focus and understanding. It will set out the primacy of the quicklime slaking method in the delivery of successful mortar performance, optimal in the context of traditional building technology, and will reiterate the ab- solute importance of observing traditional lime choices, slaking method, rules and mortar proportion in the achievement of durable mortars of optimal performance for the like-for-like and compatible repair of traditional buildings of all kinds and status.
KEYWORDS: QUICKLIME, LIME MORTAR, EARTH-LIME MORTAR, HOT-MIXING METHOD, LIME SLAKING, POZZOLANS, MORTAR PROPORTION.

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Like-For-Like and Compatible Mortars for the Repair of Traditional Buildings

ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, 2020

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Ocultos a plena vista: morteros de cal mezclados en caliente

Loggia, Arquitectura & Restauración, 2016

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Critical Review of Historic Literature Concerning Traditional Lime and Earth-Lime Mortars

Examination and Analysis of Mortar Samples CMC 1.0 Introduction Two samples of mortar were delive... more

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Traditional hot mixed lime mortars for conservation and repair

Journal of Survey, Appraisal and Valuation Vol 8 No.1. Henry Stewart Publications. , 2019

Earth-lime and hot mixed lime mortars were the almost ubiquitous materials of traditional constru... more Earth-lime and hot mixed lime mortars were the almost ubiquitous materials of traditional construction over many thousands of years but have been sorely neglected, if not ignored, by a building conservation community philosophically wedded to the principle of like-for-like and compatible repair in favour of materials with minimal historic precedent for the purposes to which they have been put. This situation has begun to change over recent years based upon growing craft experience using these mortars once more, as well as mounting evidence of the damaging potential of modern natural hydraulic limes (NHL). Historic England, Historic Scotland and CADW are reiterating the demand for like-for-like repair of historic fabric and, in most cases, this will indicate the use of hot mixed air lime or feebly hydraulic hot mixes.