LIMEime

LIME

LIM
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LIME

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UNIT 2

LIME

LECTURE 01

AR6103
BUILDING MATERIALS - I

Ar SHOBANA SUBRAMANIAN
B.ARCH

Principal Architect
Archiyugam Design Studios

Asst. PROFESSOR
Dept. Of ARCHITECTURE
Sathyabama university

CONT
ENTS

What is LIME ? LIMESTONE ?

LIMESTONE
o What?
o How?
o Limestone Cycle
C l a s s i fi c a t i o n o f L i m e
comparison between fat lime and hydraulic lime,
Manufacturing process slaking, hardening
Te s t i n g a n d S t o r a g e , L i m e p u t t y ,
Precautions in handling
Uses of lime - CEMENT

LIme

lm
a white caustic alkaline substance
c o n s i s t i n g o f c a l c i u m ox i d e , w h i c h i s
obtained by heating limestone and
which combines with water with the
production of much heat.

?
Limestone
?

LImest
one

What? How?

is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium

carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of the mineral calcite.
It most commonly forms in clear, warm, shallow
marine waters.
It is usually an organic sedimentary rock that forms
from the accumulation of shell, coral, algal, and
fecal debris.
Chemical sedimentary rocks, like limestone, form
from thesolidificationof minerals out of solution
into rock form.

(vide
o)

LImest
QUARRYIN
one
How?

(vid
eo)

LIME
Lime is obtained by burning limestone at a
temperature of about 800C.
CaCO3 + Heating -------> CaO + Co2 Calcination (Lime)

CA
CO

CALCINA
TION

Ca
O

C
O
2

LIME

in

history

Lime has been used as a cementing

material since the ancient times in
India and abroad.
Ancient Egyptians and Romans used
this material for various
constructional processes.
Even in India, various engineering
structures like palaces, bridges,
temples etc were constructed with
lime mortar and still are in shape.

PYRAMIDS OF GIZA

LIME
NOW ??

GREEK BUILDINGS

Classification of
LIME

hydrauli
c lime

fat
lime

poor
lime

FAT LIME

high calcium lime/pure lime/

rich lime/white lime
It is popularly known as the fat lime as it slakes vigorously and its
volume is increased to about 2 to 2 times the volume that of
quick lime. It is prepared by calcining compatively pure carbonate
of lime which is composed of about 95 percent of calcium oxide.
The percentage of impurities in such limestone is less than 5
percent.

Uses

It is used in white washing and

plastering walls.
It hardens very slowly.
With sand, it forms lime mortar
It has a high degree of plasticity.
which sets in thin joints. Such
It is soluble in water which is
mortar can be used for thin joints
changed frequently.
of brickwork and stonework.
Its colour is perfectly white.
With surkhi, it forms lime mortar
It sets slowly in presence of air.
which possesses good setting
It slakes vigorously.
and hydraulic properties. Such
mortar can be used for thick
masonry walls, foundations etc.
The surkhi is the powder
obtained by grinding of the burnt
bricks.

Properties of FAT
lime

HYDRAULIC
LIME

This lime is also known as the water lime as it sets under water. It
contains clay and some amount of ferrous oxide. Depending upon the
percentage of clay, the hydraulic lime is divided into the following three
types:
a. Feebly hydraulic lime
b. Moderately hydraulic lime
c. Eminently hydraulic lime
Facts a. The increase in percentage of clay makes the slaking difficult and
increases the hydraulic property.
b. With about 30 percent of clay, the hydraulic lime resembles
natural cement.
c. The hydraulic lime can set under water and in thick walls where
there is no free circulation of air.
d. The colour of hydraulic lime is not perfectly white. It is therefore
appears less sanitary than the fat lime.
e. It forms a thin plaster with water. it does not dissolve in water
through it is frequently changed.
f. If hydraulic lime is to be used for plaster work, it is to be ground
in fine powder and then it is mixed with sand. The mortar thus
prepared is kept as heap for one week or so and it is then ground
again. Such mortar can then be used for plaster work.

POOR LIME

This lime is also known as the impure lime or lean lime.It

contains more than 30 percent of clay.
It slakes very slowly.
It forms a thin paste with water.
It does not dissolve in water through it is frequently changed.
It sets or hardness slowly.
It has poor binding properties and its colour is muddy white.
This lime makes a very poor mortar. Such mortar

fat
lime

High calcium lime /pure lime/rich

lime/white lime

hydrauli
c lime

poor
lime

1. Lime Allows Buildings To Breathe

In the search by architects and conservators for building materials
sympathetic to traditional construction, lime was found to be one of the most
important. One of the reasons lime binders are promoted by the Society for
the Protection of Ancient Buildings for repairs is because they are vapour
permeable and allow buildings to breathe. This reduces the risk of trapped
moisture and consequent damage to the building fabric.
2. Lime Provides A Comfortable Environment
Porous and open textured materials such as lime plasters, help to stabilize
the internal humidity of a building by absorbing and releasing moisture. This
makes for a more comfortable environment and reduces surface
condensation and mould growth.
3. The Use Of Lime Has Ecological Benefits
Lime has less embodied energy than cement.
Free lime absorbs carbon dioxide in the setting process of carbonation.
It is possible to produce lime on a small scale.
The gentle binding properties of lime enable full re-use of other materials.
A very low proportion of quicklime will stabilize clay soils.
Small quantities of lime can protect otherwise vulnerable, very low energy
materials such as earth construction and straw bales.
4. Lime Binds Gently With Early Adhesion
The fine particle size of lime, far smaller than cement, is linked to the root
meaning of the word lime, which is sticky material. Due to the fine particle
size, lime mixes penetrate minute voids in the background more deeply than

8. Lime Binders Can Be Durable And Have Stood The Test Of Time
When used carefully, lime is exceptionally durable. Caesars Tower at Warwick
Castle has stood the test of time for over 600 years, and many cathedrals
have stood longer. An outstanding example is the Pantheon Temple in Rome
which has a lime concrete dome spanning over 43 metres (142 feet). This has
survived for nearly 2000 years.
9. Lime Finishes Are Beautiful
The double refraction of light through calcite crystals give a unique aesthetic
combining a soft texture with a lustre that has a liveliness and delight of its
own. The graceful softness apparent in lime based materials is a visual
indication of their intrinsic permeability, workability and soft binding
properties. They can rapidly develop a rich patina which has a glowing
translucent quality.
10. Lime Contributes To A Healthy Environment
Lime is caustic and has been extensively used, often in the form of limewash,
for its disinfectant qualities. Lime is also used for water purification. Lime
mortars, plasters, renders and limewash have been used to create hygienic
surfaces and improve comfort conditions within buildings for thousands of
years.
11. Self Healing
The nature of ground conditions and the elements are such that all buildings
are subject to varying degrees of movement over time. When buildings made
with lime are subject to small movements they are more likely to develop
many fine cracks than the individual large cracks which occur in stiffer