Construction Uses of Lime
The dominant construction-related use of lime is soil stabilization for roads, building foundations, and earthen dams. Lime is added to low-quality soils to produce a usable base and sub-base.
Hydrated lime has long been acknowledged to be a superior anti-stripping additive for asphalt pavements. It also helps resist rutting and fracture growth at low temperatures, reduces age hardening, and improves moisture resistance and durability. A recent study shows lime holds significant advantages over other additives for hot mix asphalt roads, including long-term cost savings and increased durability.
Perhaps the oldest and most traditional use of lime has been in mortar and plaster, because of its superior plasticity and workability. This area provides additional information about the construction applications of lime.