I suspect it all depends on what it is intended to be used for. As a stabilizer in road construction, the option to use cement vs. lime depends on the particular properties of the material. For example, the general "rule of thumb" is that for highly plastic materials (materials with high PI; clayey materials), and where it is also required to reduce the PI, lime is generally preferred (pozzolanic reaction with clay particles, to render material less plastic and improve bearing strength properties). For less plastic materials (PI < 15; typical more sandy materials), and where strength properties (bearing strength) needs to be improved, the hydraulic reactive properties of cement as additive will be more effective.
But, as will all additives, there are pro's and con's to both. As cement is a hydraulic reaction, it requires activation with moisture in the materials, and generally, process time from adding and mixing in the cement to final compaction and finishing of layer needs to be carefully controlled (typically 8 hours or less).
Lime on the other hand, can (should ideally) be mixed in and allowed time for the pozzolanic reactions to take place, and only then shaped and compacted. This allows more time to complete construction. One of the major drawbacks of lime, in my opinion, is that it required careful handling on site, especially during spreading and mixing (causes "lime-burn" when gets on skin), so is a safety concern. Also to keep in mind, the specific gravity (SG) of lime is approx. half of that of cement, so need double the bulk quantity than that of cement to attain the same percentages. This can however be both a disadvantage (if ordered in bags, it needs double the amount), but in turn, it facilitates the mixing process, especially if lower percentages of chemical additive is needed.
Trust this provides some clarification.
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Gerhard du Toit, PE (TX), Pr-Eng (SA)
Pavement Engineering Group Manager, Transportation, Northeast
D +1-978-905-2496
M +1-512-915-2332
Gerhard.DuToit@...AECOM
250 Apollo Drive
Chelmsford, MA, USA
T +1-978-905-2100
aecom.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-07-2021 01:27 AM
From: Farhan Ahmad
Subject: Importance of lime in construction industry
Despite lime to be used in ancient time...... Why after advancement of cement it is still in use? In short, what are pros and cons of lime?