LIME CONCRETE | INGREDIENTS | PROPERTIES | PREPARATION | USES | PRECAUTIONS

LIME CONCRETE

 

INGREDIENTS OF LIME CONCRETE

Lime concrete is made of lime, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate and mixed in suitable proportions in addition to water. Hydraulic lime is generally used as a binding material, sand, surkhi and cinder are used as fine aggregates, and broken bricks or broken stones are used as coarse aggregates.

 

PROPERTIES OF LIME CONCRETE

1. It provides a good base and is capable of taking loads.

2. It has a certain degree of flexibility and adjusts very well with the surface in contact.

3. It exhibits a certain degree of waterproofing property.

4. It has adequate volumetric stability when matured lime is used.

5. It resists weathering effects and is quite durable.

6. It can be prepared easily with less cost.

 

PREPARATION OF LIME CONCRETE

Good lime concrete is prepared using hydraulic lime. Fat lime is not used as it is not suitable to use in large masses. The sand to be used should be free from impurities. The coarse aggregates used for lime concrete is broken bricks or broken stones. The water used should be clean.

The mix proportion adopted for various works are as follows:

(i) Under floors – 1:2:3

(ii) Foundation work – 1:2:4

 

The following procedure is adopted while preparing lime concrete:

(i) Based on the mix, the quantity of coarse aggregate required is measured, slaked and soaked adequately with water, and a measured quantity of sand is added.

(ii) Dry mixing is done first, and then a sufficient quantity of water is added. The whole mass is again mixed thoroughly to obtain the correct consistency.

(iii) The wet concrete is laid in uniform layers in such a manner that after compaction, the thickness should not be more than 15 cm. The compaction is done with light hammers.

(iv) The concrete is allowed to set for 24 hours.

(v) The surface of the concrete is watered and rammed with heavy hammers till the concrete is thoroughly compacted.

 

USES OF LIME CONCRETE

Lime concrete is used for

1. Foundation bases of load-bearing walls, columns and floors.

2. Filling haunches over masonry arches.

3. Terrace finishing as it is the quality of volumetric stability.

 

PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHILE PREPARING LIME CONCRETE

The following precautions have to be observed:

(i) The person working should wear rubber gloves and rubber gumboots, otherwise there is a possibility of formation of rashes on the skin due to lime.

(ii) Workers also should apply oil over their skins to protect themselves from rashes and skin cracking. 

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