---
title: "Types of hydraulic lime"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:types-hydraulic-lime"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/types-hydraulic-lime
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Types of hydraulic lime

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 4: Lime

- Asked in: 2078 Bhadra, 2 marks
- Video: [Classification of lime || manufacturing process of lime || Uses of lime || Hydraulic lime](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pob86E7PYI) — CIVIL ENGINEERING HUB.
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/types-hydraulic-lime
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-4

## Question

Explain different types of hydraulic lime.

## Short answer

Hydraulic lime types: feebly hydraulic (5–15% clay) sets in 15–20 days, low strength; moderately hydraulic (15–25%) sets in ~1 week, moderate strength; eminently hydraulic (25–30%) sets in 1–2 days, strongest. IS 712 classes: A (eminently), B (semi), C (fat), D (magnesium), E (kankar).

## Answer

Hydraulic lime is classified by the clay content, which decides its hydraulicity.

| Type | Clay content | Features | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Feebly hydraulic** | 5-15% | Slakes fairly quickly, sets in 15-20 days, low strength | Plastering and mortar in dry places |
| **Moderately hydraulic** | 15-25% | Slakes slowly, sets in about a week, moderate strength | Masonry mortar in damp places |
| **Eminently hydraulic** | 25-30% | Slakes very slowly, sets in 1 to 2 days, strongest | Foundations, work under water, damp conditions |

IS 712 also classes lime as Class A (eminently hydraulic), B (semi-hydraulic), C (fat lime), D (magnesium lime) and E (kankar lime).

## Check yourself

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

1. Eminently hydraulic lime sets in:
   A. 1 to 2 days
   B. 15-20 days
   C. A week
   D. 1 year
   Answer: A. Clay 25-30%. (Key point: Eminently)

2. Feebly hydraulic lime has clay:
   A. 25-30%
   B. 5-15%
   C. 15-25%
   D. Over 30%
   Answer: B. Sets in 15-20 days. (Key point: Feebly)

3. Work under water uses:
   A. Feebly hydraulic
   B. Fat lime
   C. Eminently hydraulic lime
   D. Poor lime
   Answer: C. It is strongest. (Key point: Use)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Fat lime versus hydraulic lime](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Afat-hydraulic-lime-difference) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 4, asked 3×
- [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
- [Quick lime versus hydraulic lime](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aquick-lime-hydraulic-lime-difference) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 4
- [Short note: hydraulic lime](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Ahydraulic-lime-short-note) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 4
- [Hydrated versus hydraulic lime](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Ahydrated-hydraulic-lime-difference) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 4