Lime Research & Testing Centre

Before invention of cement, lime mortar was used for building construction material; the properties of lime depend on raw material of lime, burning temperature and slaking process.In traditional Indian buildings ‘surkhi’ or burnt clay and ‘bajri’ (sand) was added with hydraulic lime. In some places hydraulic lime was made by burning argillaceous limestone or ‘Kankar’. After the development of Portland cement, a new material as a binder in India, decline in the use of lime as a building material started. Over a period of time, many historic and traditional buildings of stone and bricks, which were set in lime based mortar, have been repaired with cement which gives disastrous effects on the buildings. Since both materials are chemically different and incompatible.

Now days heritage conservation professionals are facing problems for selection of lime; the knowledge of preparation of mortar and slaking process to get good results during conservation and restoration of historic buildings and wall painting is lacking. Keeping the above points in view a Lime Research & Testing Centre has been established at INTACH Conservation Institute, Lucknow.

INTACH Lime Research & Testing Centre, over a period of times, has developed many tests for scientific examination of lime, lime mortar, mural paintings, etc. Presently Lime Research Testing Centre is working on 36 tests related to historic lime and lime mortar. The centre has adopted BIS standards as well as some other international standards. The Centre is committed to provide unmatched services in heritage conservation. Lime Research Testing centre also provide training to architects, conservators, archaeological engineers and heritage contractors.