---
title: "Properties and uses of lime"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:properties-uses-of-lime"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/properties-uses-of-lime
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Properties and uses of lime

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 4: Lime

- Asked in: 2072 Chaitra, 2 marks; 2074 Asoj, 2 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [How Is Limestone Used in Construction? The Backbone of Modern Building](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syBiqjoHyIA) — History of Simple Things
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/properties-uses-of-lime
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-4

## Question

Explain the properties and uses of lime.

## Short answer

Fat lime is white, plastic, hardens slowly in air; hydraulic lime sets under water. Lime is used for whitewashing, plastering, mortar, lime concrete, cement manufacture and soil stabilisation.

## Answer

#### Properties
- Fat lime is white, hardens slowly and has high plasticity.
- Slakes with large heat and expansion; hydraulic lime slakes slowly.
- Sets in air (fat lime by carbonation) and under water (hydraulic lime).
- Good workability and cohesion, shrinks little and is adhesive.
- Resists weathering moderately, and is easily available and cheap.

#### Uses
1. Whitewashing and distempering of walls.
2. Plastering and mortar for masonry, with sand or surkhi.
3. Lime concrete in foundations and floors.
4. Manufacture of cement, lime-sand bricks and as a soil stabiliser.
5. Making putty, and use in water softening and sugar industry.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Fat lime hardens:
   A. Instantly
   B. Slowly
   C. Under water
   D. In one hour
   Answer: B. It has high plasticity. (Key point: Fat lime setting)

2. Lime is used for:
   A. Reinforcement
   B. Timber seasoning
   C. Whitewashing and plastering
   D. Steel making
   Answer: C. Also lime concrete. (Key point: Use)

3. Hydraulic lime slakes:
   A. Violently
   B. With great heat
   C. Never
   D. Slowly
   Answer: D. Fat lime slakes with large heat. (Key point: Slaking)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Types of lime, properties and uses](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Atypes-of-lime-uses) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 4, asked 3×
- [Fat lime composition, properties, uses](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Afat-lime-composition-properties-uses) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 4
- [Hydraulic and fat lime properties](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Ahydraulic-fat-lime-properties) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 4
- [Asphalt properties and uses](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aasphalt-properties-uses) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 4×
- [Properties and uses of glass](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aproperties-uses-of-glass) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 3×
- [Non-ferrous metals properties and uses](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Anon-ferrous-metals-properties-uses) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 8

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- [Properties and uses of granite, phyllite, limestone](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aproperties-and-uses-of-granite) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 4, asked 4×
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