Cements and Binders
Although Portland cement is the most widely used construction material, other materials such as lime and pozzolanas can also be used as more affordable, accessible and technically appropriate alternatives.
General Resources
A Small Lime Kiln for Batch and Continuous Firing
In 1996 Practical Action commissioned Paragon Ceramics to build an experimental lime kiln at Dedza in Malawi in...
Alternatives to Portland Cement
Cement is an important binding agent in concretes, mortars and renders, and is used for the production of walling...
Alternatives to Portland Cement - Alternativas al Cemento Portland
El cemento es el agente aglomerante mas importante de unión en concretos, morteros y enlucidos, y es utilizado en la...
How to Build a Small Vertical Shaft Lime Kiln
An example of a continuous production, mixed feed kiln from Zimbabwe.
How to calculate the energy efficiency of lime burning
The practice of burning limestone to produce quicklime is as old as the hills. This article demonstrates how to...
Hydraulic Lime - An Introduction
Hydraulic lime was an important cementitious material before the arrival of Portland cement but it is little used...
Introduction to Concrete Building Products
Information for potential small-medium-scale producers. This brief describes a general approach to take and how...
Lime Production: A traditional kiln at Bou Noura, Algeria
Case study of a traditional kiln at Bou Noura, Algeria.
Lime Production: No.2 Improved Techniques at Chenkumbi, Malawi.
Lime has been used in the Malawian building industry for many generations, principally as the cementing agent in...
Lime Production: Traditional batch techniques in Chenkumbi
A case study in lime production, looking at traditional batch techniques in Chenkumbi, Malawi.
Lime Production: Traditional batch techniques in Pattará, Costa Rica
A case study in lime production, using traditional batch techniques in Pattará, Costa Rica.
Lime Production: Traditional Techniques in Sri Lanka
There is a long history of production and use of lime in Sri Lanka. Its main use has been as a cementing agent and...
Lime: An Introduction
Lime has a long tradition of use in construction, agriculture, water and waste treatment.
Lime: An Introduction - Cal: Introducción
La cal tiene una larga tradición de uso en la construcción, en la agricultura y en el tratamiento del agua y de...
Methods for testing lime in the field
The acknowledged standard test for available lime is the ASTM Rapid Sugar Test which uses relatively simple,...
Pozzolanas - Calcined Clays and Shales and Volcanic Ash
Pozzolanas materials such as calcined clays are used with lime to produce hard cement like materials.
Pozzolanas - Rice Husk Ash and Pulverised Fuel Ash
An examination of the processing and production of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA).
Pozzolanas: An Introduction
When mixed with lime, pozzolanas set and harden like a cement, making them an alternative to Portland cement.
Pozzolanas: An Introduction - Puzolanas: Introducción
Mezcladas con cal conjunto, las puzolanas fraguan y endurecen como un cemento, por lo que constituyen una...
