Data underlying the publication: Toward FAIR and reproducible research on air lime-containing mortars: characterization workflow and open dataset for fresh, physical, and mechanical properties

<strong>CONTEXT: </strong>This dataset concerns the experimentally-measured <strong>fresh, physical, and mechanical properties of air lime-containing mortars.</strong> The dataset originates from the publication "<em>Toward FAIR and reproducible research on air lime-containing mortars: characterization workflow and open dataset for fresh, physical, and mechanical properties</em>", where a FAIR-aligned (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and reproducible workflow for the characterization of air lime-containing mortars was implemented. By combining experimental characterization with a FAIR-aligned and reproducible workflow, this work supports more transparent, resource-efficient research practices.<br><strong>GROUPS AND MATERIALS:</strong> Four mortar groups were prepared and named according to their binder compositions as <strong>C100L0, C50L50, C33L67, and C0L100</strong>. The number after 'C' represents the percentage of cement (compared to the total binder volume), while the number after 'L' represents the percentage of air lime (over the total binder volume). Thus, C33L67 means that 33% of the binder composition is Portland cement and 67% of the binder composition is air lime. For the production of the mortars the following materials were used: Portland cement (CEM II/A-L 32.5R), calcitic air lime (CL90-S), standard siliceous sand (0-2 mm, EN 196-1:2016), and tap water. The specimens were monitored for up to 364 days.<br><strong>MIXTURE DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF SPECIMENS:</strong> All mixtures were designed considering a 1:3 binder-to-aggregate ratio. Additionally, the water content in each mixture was adjusted to achieve a flow table value of 165 ± 8 mm. Regarding specimen production, the same mixing procedure was adopted for all four mortar groups. Mixing lasted four minutes, followed by casting in two layers. Each layer was compacted using mechanical vibration for 30 seconds, in line with the instructions provided in EN 459-2:2021<strong> </strong>and EN 196-1:2016.<br><strong>CURING CONDITIONS: </strong>A initial curing period lasting for 7 days applied to all specimens. In this case, all specimens were kept in a humid chamber at (95 ± 5) % RH and (21 ± 2) °C, in accordance with the EN 1015-11:2019; except for C100L0, which cured for 28 days at (95 ± 5) % RH, in accordance with EN 12390-16:2019. After this initial curing period, the specimens were kept and tested at (21 ± 2) °C and (55 ± 5) % RH. At all times, the specimens were subjected to the ambient CO2 concentration (0.04 % CO2).<br><strong>TESTING PROTOCOL: </strong> The characterization of each mortar group included several experiments that were thoroughly described in the publication "<em>Toward FAIR and reproducible research on air lime-containing mortars: characterization workflow and open dataset for fresh, physical, and mechanical properties</em>". In summary, the following tests were performed: <em>Entrapped air content</em> (following considerations from ASTM C185:2020 and EN 1015-6:1998); <em>initial and f inal setting times</em> (following considerations from ASTM C403:2017 and ASTM C191:2021); <em>open porosity</em> (ABNT NBR 9778:2005); <em>water absorption </em>and <em>capillary suction</em> (EN 1015-18:2002); <em>autogenous shrinkage</em> (ASTM C1698:2019); <em>total shrinkage</em> (EN 12390-16:2019); <em>compressive strength</em> (EN 1015-11:2019 and EN 12390-3:2019); <em>mass monitoring,</em> <em>carbonation depth</em>,<em> mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP)</em>, and<em> thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)</em> followed recommendations from the literature, disclaimed in the publication where this dataset originates.<br><strong>VALUE OF THE DATA:</strong> Experimental datasets that are transparent, FAIR-aligned, and reproducible remain scarce in the field of air lime-containing mortars. Consequently, cross-study comparisons are limited, hindering the development of cumulative, interoperable data on lime mortar characterization. This limitation directly affects the efficient use of research resources, as similar experimental efforts often need to be repeated rather than built upon. Therefore, this dataset aims to support the transition toward more transparent and reproducible research practices in the field of air lime by providing a dataset that combines experimental characterization with a FAIR-aligned workflow.