Physico-Chemical and Mechanical Characteristics of Traditional Marrakech Lime

Abstract

Abstract. To tackle the problem of construction-related pollution, especially the greenhouse effects mainly caused by carbon dioxide emissions, governments have begun to encourage the use of traditional building materials and techniques characterized by their low carbon impact. Among these alternatives is Marrakech lime, produced using traditional processes. Historically, it has been used to produce a special mortar known as Tadlakt, an ancestral Amazigh skill used to waterproof parts in contact with water. In order to identify other ways of adding value to Marrakech lime, a literature search was launched. Physico-chemical and mechanical characterization was also carried out on samples of traditional lime concrete sold in the Moroccan market under the name ''Jer de Gram''. Morphological and mineralogical analyses were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the lime examined is slightly hydraulic of varied forms, it is mainly composed of calcite, belite, calcium oxides, silicon, and carbons. Crushing tests show a low compressive strength of traditional lime concrete, not exceeding 1 MPa in the best cases, an unexpected result that contradicts the literature. The reason lies in the sandy nature of the aggregates and the traditional lime production process, which does not allow for effective quality control of the final product.