4.2.5. Steam cured mud blocks
These are lime stabilised blocks using expansive and high
clay soils. They are produced by mixing suitable proportion
of lime, clayey soil and sand and then pressing into a block
of convenient size. The blocks produced in this manner are
cured in a steam chamber at about 80 8C for 10–12 h. The
steaming process accelerates lime–clay reactions and the
block is ready for construction within 2 days after moulding.
Studies of Venkatarama Reddy and Lokras [20] give
more details on the production and properties of steam
cured blocks. Steam curing operations involve extra energy
expenditure. Total energy required will be about 6.70 MJ
per block of size 230mm 190mm 100 mm using 10%
lime.