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Properties of lime stabilised steam-cured blocks for masonry

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Abstract

The paper addresses certain issues pertaining to the technology of lime-stabilised steam-cured blocks used for masonry construction. Properties of lime-stabilised steam-cured blocks using expansive soils and tank bed soils have been examined. Influence of parameters like steam curing period, lime content and fly ash content on wet strength of blocks is studied. Steam curing of lime stabilised blocks at 80°C for about 20 hours at atmospheric pressure leads to considerably higher strengths when compared with curing under wet cloth at ambient temperatures. Clay-fly ash fractions of the mix control the optimum lime content yielding maximum strength. Long-term strength behaviour of steam-cured blocks has been monitored. The results indicate a favourable lime-clay ratio for stable long-term strength. A small-scale steam cured block production system has been designed and implemented to construct a load bearing masonry structure, thus demonstrating the potential of steam-cured block as a material for masonry construction.

Résumé

L'article traite de certains problèmes liés à la technologie des blocs stabilisés à la chaux et curés à la vapeur, que l'on utilise en maçonnerie. On a examiné les propriétés de ces blocs en utilisant des terres expansives et des terres issues de réservoirs. L'influence des paramètres tels que le temps de maturation, le volume de chaux, le volume de cendres volantes sur la résistance de blocs face à l'humidité a été étudiée. La maturation par la vapeur des blocs stabilisés à la chaux à 80°C pendant environ 20 heures en pression atmosphérique conduit à des résistances considérablement plus fortes que pour la maturation obtenue à l'aide de tissus humides à températures ambiantes. des fractions d'argile et de cendres volantes du mélange contrôlent le volume optimal de chaux produisant une résistance maximale. Le comportement relatif à la résistance à long terme des blocs curés à la vapeur a été enregistré. Les résultats, indiquent un rapport chaux-argile allant dans le sens d'une résistance à long terme stable. Un système de production de blocs curés à la vapeur à une échelle réduite a été élaboré et mis en place afin de construire un ouvrage de maçonnerie avec élément porteur, démontrant ainsi le potentiel d'un bloc curé à la vapeur comme matériau de construction.

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Venkatarama Reddy, B.V., Hubli, S.R. Properties of lime stabilised steam-cured blocks for masonry. Mat. Struct. 35, 293–300 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02482135

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