Objective
- Lab-scale manufacturing of traditional lime mortar with required fresh and hardened properties
- Natural and accelerated carbonation studies on lime mortar samples made with red mud and bio-admixtures to establish the benefits and properties of each
- Development of design mixes of lime mortar
Project Description
Lime (calcium oxide) which was used as the main building material in ancient times has now been replaced with cement, for its fast setting and hardening properties. In India, most of the centuries-old heritage structures are made of lime binder, which is of proven durability. The indigenous Indian traditional lime mortar uses raw materials such as jaggery, different cocktails of plant extracts, seeds, eggs, etc., which are not documented and practiced anymore.
In this current scenario, there is a dire need to find an alternative to cement (which is the biggest cause of CO2 emission from the construction industry). Reviving sustainable lime-based mortar/binder systems that are less CO2-intensive and CO2-absorbing is the need of the hour. Almost 53% of Indian construction still incorporates masonry-style methods. So, if revived, lime mortar can have large-scale applications in India. Rural constructions and small and medium-scale buildings can opt for lime mortar using locally available material instead of cement. The building of lime manufacturing also enhances employment and skill development in rural communities, which, currently, is a forgotten art.
The current proposal attempts to unwind the raw materials used in various regions of India and mix the composition and manufacturing methodology of Indian traditional lime technology. This will eventually be used to standardize the practice of lime application. The study also will address reducing the curing period of lime by enhancing carbonation, thus increasing its sustainability
potential as well.
Project Details
Principal Investigator: Prof. Swathy Manohar
Cause Area/ Theme: Sustainability
Budget: INR 9 Lakhs
Technology Readiness Level: 3
Project Duration: 2 Years
UN SGD No: 7, 12, 13
Expected Impact
- Skill development and rural employment – approximately 500
- Artisans who can work for ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) and repair the heritage constructions with compatible lime mortar – 50
- Inhabitants of Indian cities like Mumbai where the construction industry and industrial wastes take a toll on the environment with proliferating CO2 emissions. This sustainable innovative solution of lime-based binders will thus benefit everyone