GCSE 1.3 – Building with Limestone

Aims  Be able to evaluate the developments in using limestone, concrete and cement as a building material and their advantages and disadvantages compared to other building materials  Limestone can be heated with clay to make cement  Cement is mixed with sand to make mortar  Cement is mixed with sand and aggregate to make concrete

Limestone Limestone can be used on its own to make a range of beautiful buildings What might be a possible problem with these buildings, especially in areas with high rainfall?

Limestone  Calcium Oxide We know that if we heat limestone it makes calcium oxide. This can be dropped into lakes to neutralise acid. Complete the word equation for this process: Calcium oxide + sulphuric acid  _____________ + ____________

CEMENT Powdered limestone + Powdered clay Heat in rotary kiln

Making cement

MORTAR Cement + Sand + Water

CONCRETE Cement + Sand + Water + Crushed rock

Strength of concrete can be improved if you use a steel frame

Bahai Lotus Temple in Delhi, India – made of concrete (1980)

Limestone Cement MortarConcrete Building blocksCalcium oxide Neutralise lakes / soil Reinforced Concrete HEAT WATER SAND + WATER SAND + WATER + CRUSHED ROCK STEEL HEAT + CLAY

Considering materials Make a table for each of the following materials and make a comment on their properties Brick Wood Steel Straw?!? Limestone Concrete

Considering materials Make a table for each of the following materials and make a comment on their properties Brick Wood Steel Straw?!? Limestone Concrete Consider some of the following and any others you can think of! Cost Strength Cost to repair Weather resistance availability sustainability