Lime

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 Lime
• Lime is a white oxide of calcium (CaO)
• Raw material for manufacture of lime is Calcium carbonate
Obtained from calcination of
– Limestone
(or)
– Shell, coral, chalk and other calcareous substances
– Burning temperature 7000C
• Slaking of Lime
As Quick lime is unstable

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 The state of Karnataka alone accounts for about
28% of the total limestone resources in India
followed by Andhra Pradesh (20%), Rajasthan
(12%), Gujarat (11%), Meghalaya (9%),
Chhattisgarh (5%) and remaining 15% by other
states.

In terms of production, the state with maximum

production is Andhra Pradesh accounting about
21% of the total cement production, followed
by Rajasthan (20%), Madhya Pradesh (13%),
Tamil Nadu (9%), Gujarat, Karnataka and
Chhattisgarh (8% each), Himachal Pradesh and
Maharashtra (4% each) and the remaining 5% is
contributed by Odisha

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 Uses of Lime

Chief cementing material in cement

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 Uses of Lime

Mortar

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 Uses of Lime

Plaster

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 Uses of Lime

Bricks and Concrete

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 Characteristics of Lime

• Possess good plasticity and easy to work

• Stiffens easily and resistant to moisture

• Excellent cementitious property suitable for masonry work

• Reduces shrinkage on drying due to high water retentivity

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 Constituents of Limestone
• Magnesium Carbonate
• Clay
• Silica
• Iron Compounds
• Carbonaceous matters
• Sulphates
• Alkalis

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 Constituents of Limestone
• Magnesium Carbonate

It allows lime to slake and set slowly

Imparts high strength

Up to 5% magnesium oxide imparts excellent hydraulic

properties of lime

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 Effect of various components on Lime
• Clay

Responsible for hydraulic properties of lime

% clay ~ 10 to 30

In excess, arrests slaking

In small quantity, retards slaking

It makes lime insoluble in water

Suitable for aqueous foundations

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 Effect of various components on Lime
• Silica

Lime + high silica percentage (15 to 20 %) = Poor limes

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 Effect of various components on Lime
• Iron compounds

Highly undesirable

2 to 5% of iron oxide is required for hydraulic lime

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 Effect of various components on Lime
– Carbonaceous matters

Its presence indicates poor quality lime

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 Effect of various components on Lime
• Sulphates

Slow down slaking action

Increases setting rate of limes

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 Effect of various components on Lime
• Alkalis

Undesirable for pure lime

5% in hydraulic lime improves hydraulicity

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 Classification of lime

• Classification based on % of calcium oxide and clay impurities

• Classification based on purpose of its use in construction

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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on % of calcium oxide and clay impurities

Lean or Poor lime

❑ Contains CaO+MgO (In total 80 to 85%, with MgO <5%) and clay impurities like
silica, alumina and iron oxide
❑ Sets on absorbing CO2 from atmosphere
❑ Characteristics
» More time for slaking and thus, slow hydration
» Less expansion than fat lime
» Makes thin paste with water
» Very slow setting and hardening
» Color: Yellow to grey
❑ Used for less important structure
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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on % of calcium oxide and clay impurities

Hydraulic lime
❑ Obtained from moderate burning (9000 to 11000C)
❑ CaO+MgO = 70 to 80% with MgO <5%
❑ Contains limestone in small proportion of clay (5 to 30%) like silica and
alumina and iron oxide in combination
❑ Excess water may harden the lime while slaking
❑ Based on % of clay content
» Feebly hydraulic lime
» Moderately hydraulic lime
» Eminently hydraulic lime
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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on % of calcium oxide and clay impurities

Hydraulic lime
– Feebly hydraulic lime
❑ < 5 to 10 % of clay impurities (silica and alumina)
❑ Slakes slowly after 5 to 15 minutes
❑ Setting time: Two days
❑ Used in damp places and for less important structures

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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on % of calcium oxide and clay impurities

Hydraulic lime
– Moderately hydraulic lime
❑ < 10 to 20 % of clay impurities (silica and alumina)
❑ Slakes sluggishly after 1 to 2 hrs
❑ Setting time: Seven days
❑ Used in damp places

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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on % of calcium oxide and clay impurities

Hydraulic lime
– Eminently hydraulic lime
❑ < 20 to 30 % of clay impurities (silica and alumina)
❑ Slakes with difficulty
❑ Setting time: Initial 2 hrs and Final 48 hrs
❑ Used in damp places and all structural purposes

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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on % of calcium oxide and clay impurities

Fat or Pure or Rich or Soft lime

❑ Contains CaO+MgO (In total > 85%, with MgO <4%) and obtained by
nearly pure limestone, marble, white chalk
❑ When used for white washing, lime should not have impurities of clay
and stones >5%
❑ Sets on absorbing CO2 from atmosphere

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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on % of calcium oxide and clay impurities

Fat or Pure or Rich or Soft lime

❑ Characteristics
» Slaking is vigorous and volume becomes 2 to 3 times
» It sets slowly in contact with air
» Not suitable for thick walls and in wet climate
» Under water, it does not loose its plasticity and does not set and hard
» Specific gravity of pure lime is 3.4
❑ Uses
Making mortar, matrix of concrete, base for distemper, in whitewash,
manufacturing of cement, and metallurgical industry
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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on purpose of its use in construction (IS 712)

Class A: Eminently Hydraulic Lime

Class B: Semi Hydraulic Lime
Class C: Fat lime
Class D: Magnesium/Dolomite Lime
Class E: Kankar Lime
Class F: Siliceous Dolomitic Lime

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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on purpose of its use in construction (IS 712)

Class A: Eminently Hydraulic Lime

❑ Making mortar and concrete for structural purpose

❑ Characteristics
✔ Color: grey
✔ CaO (60 to 70%) and Clay (25%)
✔ Slakes with difficulty
✔ Sets and hardens under water with setting time, initial (2 hrs) and
final 48 hrs

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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on purpose of its use in construction (IS 712)

Class B: Semi Hydraulic Lime

❑ Characteristics
» Color: grey
» 70% CaO and 15% clay
» Slakes and sets at slow rate (a week to set under water)
❑ Used for
» Masonry mortars
» Flooring
» Ordinary concrete construction
» Plaster undercoat
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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on purpose of its use in construction (IS 712)

Class C: Fat lime

❑ Characteristics
» Color: White
» Slakes vigorously and increases to 3 times of original volume
» 93% CaO and 5 to 7% clay

❑ Used for
» Finishing coat in plastering
» White washing
» With puzzolana in mortar
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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on purpose of its use in construction (IS 712)

Class D: Magnesium/Dolomite Lime

❑ Characteristics
» Color: White
» 85% (CaO + MgO)
» Slakes promptly
» Sets slowly

❑ Used for
» Finishing coat in plastering
» White washing
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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on purpose of its use in construction (IS 712)

Class E: Kankar Lime

❑ Characteristics
» Color: Grey
» 20% CaO, 5% MgO and remaining impurities
» Slakes and sets slowly

❑ Used for
» Masonry mortars
» Plastering
» White washing
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 Classification of lime
• Classification based on purpose of its use in construction (IS 712)

Class F: Siliceous Dolomitic Lime

❑ Used for
» Undercoat and finishing coat of plaster

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 Manufacturing of lime

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 Tests on lime
Visual Inspection
• Colour and lump

Field Tests
• Physical properties
• Heat tests
• Chemical test
• Ball test

IS code methods (IS 6932)

Part III, IV,VI, VII, VIII, IX, X

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 Tests on lime
IS code methods (IS 6932)
Part III, IV,VI, VII, VIII, IX, X

• Workability test (Part VIII)

• Soundness test (Part IX)
• Popping and Pitting test (Part X)
• Volume Yield of Quicklime (Part VI)
• Transverse Strength test (Part VII)
• Compressive Strength test
(Part VIII)

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 Lime v/s Cement

S.No. Property Lime Cement

Dark grey or greyish
1 Colour White or greyish white
brown
Takes place after adding Takes place after adding
2 Slaking
water water
Sets slowly by taking CO2 Sets rapidly by reacting
3 Setting
from air or with water with water
4 Hardening Slow Rapid
Compressive
5 Less High
strength
6 Cost Cheap Costly
7 Use Ordinary construction work All construction works

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