 Name of Faculty: Vikash Kumar Singh

 Designation: Assistant professor

 Department: Civil Engineering
 Subject: Basic Civil Engineering (BT-204)
 Unit: III (Building Materials & Construction)
 Topic: Stone, classifications of rocks, Properties of Good
Building Stone and Uses of Building Stone
• The classifications of rocks are based on geological
formation, physical characteristics and chemical
composition;

1. Geological formation

• Igneous

• Sedimentary

• Metamorphic.
2. Physical characteristics
• Stratified
• Un stratified
• Foliated

3.Chemical composition
• Argillaceous
• Siliceous
• Calcareous
 When the molten magma cools.

It is very hard and durable

Examples: Granite, Basalt, Syenite.

Basalt Syenite
Sedimentary rocks are usually formed by the deposition of sediments, organic
matter, or chemical precipitates.
These rocks are stratified and have well defined bedding planes
Example : Lime stones, Dolomites & Sand stones.

Lime stones Dolomites

 By subjecting any type of rock to different pressure and temperature
conditions, the metamorphic rocks formed.
Example : Marbles, Slate, Quartz.

Marbles Slate Quartz

Stratified Rocks :
These Rocks show distinct layers along which it can be easily split up.
Example: Limestone, Slate.
Un stratified Rocks :
These rocks do not show stratification and cannot be easily split up into thin
layers.
Example: Granite, Marble.
Foliated Rocks:
These rocks have tendency to split in definite direction.
Example: Quartz.
Argillaceous Rocks:
It contains clay or alumina. It is hard and brittle.
Example: Slate, Laterite.
Siliceous Rocks:
It contains Silica . It is very hard and durable
Example: Sand stone, Quartz.
Calcareous Rocks:
It have lime or calcium carbonate.
Example: Dolomite, Lime stone.
• Appearance & colour – Uniform colour, darker shades are
preferred. Should be free from clay holes, bands or spots.

• Structure – Not dull in appearance, crystalline homogenous,

close and fine grained is
good. Stratification should not be visible.
• Weight – Heavier are compact, less porous and are good for
hydraulic structures.
• Strength – Generally crushing strength should not be greater
than 100 N/mm2. Igneous rock stones are stronger.

• Toughness – Withstands impact, vibrations, moving and dead

loads.
• Dressing – Uniform texture and softness for fine surface finish.
Important for face work of public buildings.
• Porosity and Absorption – Exposed surface absorbs rain water
which forms acids causing crumbling action. Less porous
stones absorb less fluid hence are more durable. It should not
absorb water more than 0.6% by weight.
• Resistance to fire – If free from calcium carbonate or oxides of
iron, it will show considerable resistance to fire.

• Durability – Compact stones are more durable.

• Cost – Should have minimum cost in quarrying, transportation,
dressing and installation.
• For the construction of foundation, walls, columns, lintel arches,
roofs, floors, etc

• For facing works in brick masonry

• For making concrete, used as coarse aggregate
• As moorum in road works
• As ballast in railways
• Stone blocks are used in construction of bridges, piers,
abutments, retaining walls

• For the construction of breakwater in harbour

• For the construction of light houses and dams