WHAT IS LIME? Lime is a generic term.

For building industry, it includes forms of lime quick lime and hydrated lime. Lime is manufactured by burning calcium and magnesium rocks such as chalk, limestone, dolomite etc. In coastal areas, it is also produced by grinding some minerals like oyster shells, conch etc. BUILDING LIME is procured from, a. Pure lime stone Containing more percentage of calcium Carbonate( CaCo3) b. Impure lime stones Containing other clayey impurities with percentage as high as 40%. These include silica, aluminium, sometimes secondary components as iron, potassium and sulphur also. In Building, lime had been used in different forms as mortar, plaster also for decorative works and for pointing. Building lime can be classified as Hydraulic Lime and Non Hydraulic Lime based on its property of Hydraulicity meaning the capacity to set under water. 1. Non Hydraulic Lime Also called as fat lime. It is considered as the pure lime and does not set under the water. This has been used traditionally in building construction since ages. This is produced from carboniferous and pure limestone and white chalk. 2. Hydraulic Lime It sets under the water. It includes other elements in varied compositions. It is produced from grey chalks, silicious lime stones and argillaceous lime stones. PRODUCTION OF LIME FROM LIME STONE In ancient times, lime was produced by burning the raw materials in kilns or in earth ovens with wood serving as the fuel. Burning times varied from 30hours to 7 days. Modern industrial lime burning maintains a standard time and a constant temperature. White lime is produced by calcining limestone during the process, lime stone decarbonizes and turns into lime. CaCo3( Limestone) CaCO3. Mg CO3 CaO( Quick Lime) +CO2 CaO.MgO + CO2

Dissociation of carbonate rocks is accompanied by an absorption of heat and takes place at temperature above 600 degrees Celsius. Minimum effective temperature is considered as 800 degrees Celsius.. For good quality lime, the limestone should be crushed to small size about 1.25 inches.
Compiled and printed for the Hands on lime workshop at Menavali on 7th and 8th January 2012 By Sinhgad College Of Architecture, Pune, VaastuVidhaan, Mumbai and Menavalikars

During firing, lime stone decomposes and carbon dioxide is released. It accounts for up to 44% of its mass and the volume of the product diminishes by approximately 10%. Quick lime has an affinity of water and reacts with water very quickly. Slaking of Lime Water is added to quicklime. This process creates a lot of heat and causes the water to boil and quick lime to split. CaO + H2O Ca(OH)2

This Lime is available in two forms as lime putty and dry hydrated lime. LIME IN BUILDING PRACTICES. Traditionally lime had been used for various purposes in building activities as mortar, plaster with other materials. LIME MORTAR Mortar is a plastic material used in building construction for bedding or jointing that becomes hard in due course. The Lime mortar is composed of lime, water and aggregate. For enhancing its performance, it is added with different additives. Traditional additives were jiggery, guggul, fibres, hair, cereals, curd, surkhi etc added as plasticizer, puzzolonic additions, retarder etc. LIME WASH Lime washes are the suspension of hydrated lime in a saturated solution of lime in water. It is made by putting lime in water for a long period. Traditionally annual white washing has been a custom in India. Whitewashing kills bacteria and other insects. Glue, alum, salt, linseed oil polymer dispersions are various types of additives used for improving the performance of lime wash. LIME PLASTER Apart from the composition and the quality of lime the ancients laid great stress on the method of preparation of plaster. Plasters were mixed aided with beating with wooden clubs. It is generally applied in the number of coats. LIME CONCRETE These are the mixtures of sand and larger aggregates with hydraulic limes, puzzolanic materials, additives and water. Chunagachhi had been a very popular way of terrace waterproofing. It is still prevalent in countryside of India.
Compiled and printed for the Hands on lime workshop at Menavali on 7th and 8th January 2012 By Sinhgad College Of Architecture, Pune, VaastuVidhaan, Mumbai and Menavalikars

LIME IN HISTORY

Earlier references of lime in building activities date back to the stone age. The Lascaux
caves in France are frescoed of natural iron oxide pigments applied onto damp cave walls of high calcium content (Lime stone), dating back as far as 16,000 years. These paintings are often considered to be among the first true frescoes made by man. The Egyptians, about 6,000 years ago, they used lime to plaster the pyramids at Giza. In addition, they incorporated various limes into their religious temples as well as their homes like, Lime plaster + stucco Lime gypsum (CaSO4, 2 H2O), plaster Decorative fine plaster workat tel-el amarna 1 thk lime stucco finished with 1/8 thick lime Mycenae temples at homers time show lime stucco for marble surfaces.

Lime used in stucco Lime mortars are unknown till Romans. Pliny the younger stated no builder should employ lime which had not been slaked atleast three years. Vitruvius, in his ten books on Architecture (40 B.C.), devoted a total chapter on lime. He talks about the choice and the use of lime, sand, puzzolona and other materials on mortar. He also gives details for the application of fine six coat marble dust and lime stucco on reed laths for internal decoration. During the classical Roman period, we find the public structures are built using stone and lime mortars with puzzolanic additions. The famous aqueducts are waterproofed using hydraulic mortars. As during the dark period, technical know how was lost, we find that lime made into building practices again in the times of Normans. In southeast England in the 14th century, artisans, using trowels, applied decorative lime plaster to the exterior of timber-framed structures. Throughout, lime was widely used for molded and ornamental plaster work. During the Renaissance, lime made an explosive revival in the plastering and painting arts. In the mid-15th century, artisans from Venice created a new type of external facing called Marmorino, made by applying lime directly onto terra cotta brick and lime-mortar bases. This is also known as Venetian Lime Plaster. The famous frescoes of renaissance could be made possible with the use of lime. The same is also true for fresco secco or tempera types of paintings. In 1824 , Asplidin invented cement and we find during the colonial period,the lime is used in combination with cement.
Compiled and printed for the Hands on lime workshop at Menavali on 7th and 8th January 2012 By Sinhgad College Of Architecture, Pune, VaastuVidhaan, Mumbai and Menavalikars