Common Building Stones
The following are the some of
commonly used stones:
(i) Basalt and trap (ii)
Granite
(iii) Sand stone (iv)
Slate
(v) Laterite (vi)
Marble
(vii) Gneiss (viii)
Quartzite.
Their qualities and uses are
explained below:
(i) Basalt and Trap: The
structure is medium to fine grained and compact. Their colour varies
from dark gray to black.
Fractures and joints are common. Their weight varies from 18 kN/m3 to 29 kN/m3.
The compressive strength varies
from 200 to 350 N/mm2. These are igneous rocks. They are used as
road metals, aggregates for
concrete. They are also used for rubble masonry works for bridge piers,
river walls and dams. They are
used as pavement.
(ii) Granite: Granites
are also igneous rocks. The colour varies from light gray to pink. The
structure is crystalline, fine to
coarse grained. They take polish well. They are hard durable. Specific
gravity is from 2.6 to 2.7 and
compressive strength is 100 to 250 N/mm2. They are used primarily for
bridge piers, river walls, and
for dams. They are used as kerbs and pedestals. The use of granite for
monumental and institutional
buildings is common. Polished granites are used as table tops, cladding
for columns and wall. They are
used as coarse aggregates in concrete.
(iii) Sand stone: These
are sedimentary rocks, and hence stratified. They consist of quartz and
feldspar. They are found in
various colours like white, grey, red, buff, brown, yellow and even dark
gray. The specific gravity varies
from 1.85 to 2.7 and compressive strength varies from 20 to 170 N/mm2.
Its porosity varies from 5 to 25
per cent. Weathering of rocks renders it unsuitable as building stone. It is desirable to use sand stones
with silica cement for heavy structures, if necessary. They are used for masonry work, for dams, bridge
piers and river walls.
(iv) Slate: These
are metamorphic rocks. They are composed of quartz, mica and clay minerals.
The structure is fine grained.
They split along the planes of original bedding easily. The colour varies
from dark gray, greenish gray,
purple gray to black. The specific gravity is 2.6 to 2.7. Compressive
strength varies from 100 to 200
N/mm2. They are used as roofing tiles, slabs, pavements etc.
(v) Laterite: It is
a metamorphic rock. It is having porous and sponges structure. It contains high
percentage of iron oxide. Its
colour may be brownish, red, yellow, brown and grey. Its specific gravity
is 1.85 and compressive strength
varies from 1.9 to 2.3 N/mm2. It can be easily quarried in blocks. With seasoning it gains strength. When
used as building stone, its outer surface should be plastered.
(vi) Marble: This
is a metamorphic rock. It can take good polish. It is available in different
pleasing colours like white and
pink. Its specific gravity is 2.65 and compressive strength is 70–75 N/
mm2. It is used for facing and
ornamental works. It is used for columns, flooring, steps etc.
(vii) Gneiss: It is
a metamorphic rock. It is having fine to coarse grains. Alternative dark and
white bands are common. Light
grey, pink, purple, greenish gray and dark grey coloured varieties are
available. These stones are not
preferred because of deleterious constituents present in it. They may be
used in minor constructions.
However hard varieties may be used for buildings. The specific gravity
varies from 2.5 to 3.0 and
crushing strength varies from 50 to 200 N/mm2.
(viii) Quartzite: Quartzites
are metamorphic rocks. The structure is fine to coarse grained and
often granular and branded. They
are available in different colours like white, gray, yellowish. Quartz is the chief constituent with
feldspar and mica in small quantities. The specific gravity varies from 2.55 to 2.65. Crushing strength varies
from 50 to 300 N/mm2. They are used as building blocks and slabs. They are also used as aggregates for concrete.