STONE PROPERTIES

AND TEST
 The more compact grained and heavier a stone the harder it is.
Due to alternate wetting and drying the resulting crushing
strength can be reduced even up to 30-40%. Being dry stones
allow more crushing strength than when wet.
 It is the ability of a stone to endure and maintain its essential and
distinctive characteristics i.e. resistance to decay, strength and
appearance.

STRENGTH AND DURABILITY

 When some stones are used in exterior applications and exposed
to direct sunlight they fade or change color.

SUNLIGHT
 Some stones have moisture sensitive mineral contents that will
cause the stone to develop rust spots, or other color variations, or
contain moisture sensitive substances that will cause blotchy and
streaking discolorations.

MOISTURE
 Stone Weight in lb./cu. Ft. Ultimate strength to resist
crushing lbs./sq. in

Granite 165 13000

Basalt or Trap 185 12000

Limestone 160 7500

Sandstone (stray) 140 5000

Slate 175 10000

Marble 170 7500

 Granite has been extensively used as a dimension stone and as
flooring tiles in public and commercial buildings and monuments.
 Engineers have traditionally used polished granite surface
plates to establish a plane of reference, since they are relatively
impervious and inflexible.

GRANITE
 Basalt is used in construction (e.g. as building blocks or in the
groundwork), making cobblestones (from columnar basalt) and
in making statues.

BASALT OR TRAP
 In general, limestone is a tough, hard, durable rock that serves as
a quality construction material for all purposes.
 Limestone is widely used in architectural applications for walls,
decorative trim and veneer. It is less frequently used as a
sculptural material, because of its porosity and softness, however,
it is a common base material. It may be found in both bearing
(structural) and veneer applications.

LIMESTONE
 Manufacturing of plate glass, fine table glassware, and common glassware.
 Crushed in concrete and asphalt to fill in dike and jetty construction.
 Rough and weathered sandstone is used as fireplaces, walls, and walkways.
 As decorative stones.
 As bookends, clocks, paperweights, coaster, etc.
 As flooring or paving material.
 Load bearing masonry
 Sandstone slabs and sandstone tiles are used in cladding.
 Sandstone blocks are used as foundations and stonewalls.

SANDSTONE
 Slates are dense and fine grained rock.
 Paving
 Stepping stone in garden
 Combined with other materials gives quality and attractiveness
 Square blocks for a break band in section of granite paving
 Decorative clocks and thermometers
 Picture frame, mirrors, coasters, trivets, switch plates, candle holders.
 Engraved and painted in jewelry like earrings and pins.

SLATE
 Physically, these are recrystallized, Hard, Compact, fine to very fine
grained metamorphosed rocks capable of taking shining polish
 Marble has always been highly valued for its beauty, strength, and
resistance to fire and erosion.

MARBLE