BUILDING

STONES

Er. Saurav Shrestha

Kantipur Engineering College
Stones:
2.1. INTRODUCTION
Building stones are the naturally occurring
massive, dense rock which can be cut or
shaped into blocks or slabs for use in wall,
paving, roofing materials or other
construction works.
They have been used as building
material since very early period of our
civilization.
Stones:
INTRODUCTION
Stones are the natural products of rocks &
are directly used for building construction,
with little bit of work of sizing, finishing,
etc.
Requirements of a good stone are
hardness, toughness, uniformity in textures
& colour.
Life of granite stone is taken to be 300
years & that of sandstone as 100 years.
 INTRODUCTION
The life of stone is reduced by frost, wind,
atmospheric impurities, temperature
variation, vegetable growth etc.
For durability tests are conducted on stones
as acid test, hardness test, abrasion test,
porosity test, crushing test & Smith’s test.
Principal building stones under use are
Granite, Gneisses, Basalt (trap), Sandstone,
limestone, marble, quartzite, slates etc.
 INTRODUCTION
Testing of stones for durability:
Smith test – to find dirty material in stone
Brand test – for frost resistance
Acid test – to check weather resistance
Crushing test – strength of stone
Absorption test – water absorbed in 24 hours
Attrition test – to check resistance to abrasion
 Common Building Stones
1. Granite
•Classification: Igneous, siliceous variety
•Composition: Quartz, feldspar and mica (Granite containing high percentage of
quartz is very refractory; as the proportion of quartz decreases as that of feldspar
increases, the stone becomes easier to work with).
•Characteristics:
– Specific gravity: 2.64 and absorption less than 1%
– Crushing strength: 110 to 140 MN/m2.
– Colour depends upon that of feldspar and may be brown/ grey/ green or pink.

Uses:
•ornamental columns/plinths;
•construction of sea walls, bridge piers;
•large pieces are used as building blocks;
•smaller pieces as road metals or railway ballast;
•chippings are used for the manufacture of concrete or artificial stones.
•may be used as damp-proof course and external cladding of walls.
 Common Building Stones
2. Basalt or trap
•Classification: Igneous, siliceous variety
•Composition: Silica alumina and feldspar
•Characteristics:
– Crushing strength 70 to 80 MN/m2
– Specific gravity = 2.96
– Basalt is rough, lightweight and grey to black in colour.
– It has good sound absorption and insulation; heat insulation and heat reserve
capacities.
– It is environmentally green building material. Basalt is acid and alkali resistant.

Uses:
•Suitable for paving sets and as road metal
•Used for manufacture of artificial stones
•Used as aggregate in concrete
 Common Building Stones
3. Slate
•Classification: Metamorphic rock formed from shale
(Argillaceous variety)
•Composition: Alumina mixed with sand or carbonate of lime
•Characteristics:
– Specific gravity = 2.8
– It can be split into thin sheets
– Crushing strength 60 to 70 MN/m2
– It is non-absorbent
– Sheets of slate are strong under transverse loading and quite
impervious to water hence they make ideal good roof covering.
Uses:
•For making electrical switch boards
•Suitable for use in cisterns, urinal partitions etc.
•Can be set into walls to provide a rudimentary damp-proof
 Common Building Stones
4. Gneiss
•Classification: Metamorphic rock, sometimes called
stratified or bastard granite with somewhat laminated
structure. Syenite is a rock similar to granite but
composed mainly of feldspar instead of quartz.
•Composition: Quartz and feldspar
•Characteristics:
– can be readily split into slabs
– is more easily worked than granite.

Uses:
•For street paving
 Common Building Stones
5. Sandstone
•Classification: Sedimentary rock (Siliceous variety)
•Composition: Quartz and/or feldspar cemented by lime, mica, magnesium, aluminium,
oxide or iron or by a mixture of these materials. Sometimes fragments of limestone, mica
or feldspar are also present.
•Characteristics:
– Specific gravity = 2.25
– Crushing strength = 35 to 40 MN/m2
– Flagstone: sandstone of thin-bedded variety
– Grit: rock composed of angular sharp edged sand grains
– Free stone: sandstone that can be cut easily with mallet and hammer into blocks for building
– Durability of sandstone depends upon the nature of cementing material. The quality of sandstone is poor
if it is porous or contains lime or clay.
– Sandstones are generally weak in abrasion.
– They hold considerable water and allow percolation through them.

Uses:
•Fine grained are used for ashlar work, mouldings, carvings etc.
•Rough and coarse grained are used for rubble work; for slabs and tiles.
 Common Building Stones
6. Limestone
•Classification: Sedimentary rock of calcareous variety.
•Composition: Pure state contains CaCO3 but frequently mixed
with MgCO3 and small amount of silica and alumina. Limestones
containing 10% or more of magnesia are called as magnesian and
those having over 45% of it are termed as dolomites.
•Characteristics:
– Specific gravity = 2.6
– Crushing strength = 52 MN/m2
Uses:
•in blast furnaces, bleaching and tanning industries
•for stone masonry for walls and paving set in floors
•for manufacturing lime and cement
•quarry waste is used as road metal
 Common Building Stones
7. Marble
•Classification: Metamorphic rock (changed from
limestone or dolomite) of calcareous variety.
•Composition: CaCO3 is the main constituent.
•Characteristics:
– Specific gravity: 2.72
– Crushing strength 50 to 60 MN/m2

Uses:
•for carving and decoration works
•for steps, wall linings, electrical switch boards, table
slabs and columns.
 Common Building Stones
8. Quartzite
•Classification: Metamorphic rock of siliceous variety originally
sandstone.
•Composition: Silica
•Characteristics:
– Dense, hard and glassy structure.
– Highly resistant to chemical weathering.
– Orth quartzite is very pure quartz sandstone, often 99% SiO 2.

Uses:
•as road metal/ railway ballast
•in concrete
•in rubble masonry
•for heavy construction like retaining walls, bridge piers, dams
etc.
 Common Building Stones
9. Kankar
•It is an impure limestone containing 30% of clay and sand
available in grey or khaki colour and have porous structure.
•Uses:
– for preparing hydraulic lime
– as road metal
– in foundations of buildings

10. Laterite
•Sedimentary, argillaceous rock of Sp. gr. = 2.2
•It is a material of low compressive strength of 2 to 4 MPa.
•It is sandy claystone containing high percentage of iron oxide.
•A calcareous laterite with lime content called kankar.
•Uses: as building stones; as road metal.
 Common
11. Moorum
Building Stones
•It is a decomposed laterite.
•Uses:
•for surfacing fancy paths and garden walks (due to its rich red colour)
•it serves as a fine blindage for metalled rods.

12. Gravel
•It is a mixture of rounded water worn pebbles of any kind of stone with
sand.
13. Chalk
•It is pure, white limestone. It is used for manufacture of Portland cement
and for marking and as a colouring matter.it is unsuitable for building
purposes.
14. Shingles
•Broken shingles are used in concrete and as road metal or railway ballast
or in concrete.
2.2. Characteristics of good building stones
 Appearance and colour:
 Weight:
 Porosity and absorption:
 Fineness of grains:
 Compactness:
 Resistance to fire:
 Electrical resistance:
 Hardness and toughness:
 Strength:
 Durability:
 Seasoning:
2.2. Characteristics of good building stones
• Appearance and colour: Stones with much iron
should be discouraged as the formation of iron oxides
disfigures them and brings about disintegration.
• Weight: Building stones must be heavy
• Porosity and absorption: Stones with much pores are
unsuitable because of water seeping into pores with
acids and fumes destroy the stone. Water may freeze
at colder climate and hence split the stone.
• Fineness of grains: Fine grained are suitable for
moulding works.
• Compactness: Stone’s durability is decided by its
compactness.
2.2. Characteristics of good building stones
• Resistance to fire: Stone should be
homogenous in composition and free form
calcium carbonate or oxide of iron.
• Electrical resistance: The electrical resistance
decreases when it gets wet. A stone should be
non-absorbent (like Slate) to have steady and
high electrical resistance.
• Hardness and toughness: A good building
stone must be hard and tough. Hardness may
be tested by scratching by pen knife and
toughness by subjecting it to hammer action.
2.2. Characteristics of good building stones
• Strength: Building stones should be strong in
compression.

• Durability: Compact, homogeneous stones

having negligible water absorption are durable.

• Seasoning: The stones after quarrying and

dressing should be left for a period of 6 to 12
months
 2.3. Selection and use of stone:
• When the cost of quarried stone to cost of finished stone is
considered, it will be found that the labour cost is far greater
than the price of the stone. Thus a difference in the price
between two alternative stones is unimportant and it would be
unwise to reject a more durable stone on the grounds that it was
costly.
• For a highly carved design if, by mistake , a harder stone such as
granite is selected the cost will be affected.
• Colour, arrangement and shape of mineral constituents greatly
influence fashion or ornamental value. One of the first factors
influencing the selection of stone for a particular work will be
colour.
• It is very important to select a stone according to its exposure
conditions.
 2.3. Selection and use of stone:
S.No. Type of work Stone Recommended Reasons

1 Heavy engineering works such as Granite It is heavy, strong durable and is

bridge, piers and abutments, break capable of resisting large thrust.
water, docks and light houses, retaining
walls

2 Building facing the sea Granite, fine grained These are not affected by the
sandstone weathering action of sand particles
blown by wind

3 Building in industrial areas Granite, compact These are restraints to acid fumes
sandstones and smoke
4 Arches Fine grained sandstone Strong, durable

5 Building facework, carved works, Marble, closed grained There are lignt weight, soft and easy
ornamental works and statues sandstone to work and have pleasing colour and
appearances.

6 Fire resisting structure Compact sandstone Fireproof

7 Road metal and aggregate for concrete Granite, basalt, quartzite Hard, tough and has high abrasion
resistance
8 Railway ballast Coause grained sandstone, These are hard and compact
quartizite

9 Electrical switch board Slate, marble Poor conductor of electricity.

2.4. Deterioration and preservation of stone:
Deterioration of stone:
Rain:
Lichens:
Wind:
Temperature variations:
Frost:
Alternative wetness and drying:
Impurities in atmosphere:
Vegetable growth:
Chemical agents:
Mutual decay:
2.4. Deterioration and preservation of stone:
Deterioration of stone:
•Rain:
Rain water acts both physically and chemically on stones.
•Lichens:
These destroy limestone but act as protective coats for other stones.
•Wind:
The wind contains fine particles of dust. It is blowing with high
velocity thus the stone surfaces will be decayed. The wind allows
rain water to enter pores of stones with force. Such water on freezing
expands and splits the stones.
•Temperature variations:
The rise and fall of temperatures are frequent, the stones are easily
deteriorated.
•Frost:
In hill stations or cold places, the moisture present in the
atmosphere is deposited in pores of stones.
2.4. Deterioration and preservation of stone:
Deterioration of stone:
•Alternative wetness and drying:
Wear out quickly.
•Impurities in atmosphere:
Acids, fumes etc are predominant in industrial town which cause
the deterioration of stone.
•Vegetable growth:
Roots of trees and weeds that grow in the masonry joints keep the
stones damp and also secrete organic and acidic matters which cause
the stones to deteriorate.
•Chemical agents:
Smokes, fumes, acids and acid fumes present in the atmosphere
deteriorate he stones containing CaCO3, MgCO3 are affected badly.
•Mutual decay:
When sand stone is used under limestone, the chemicals brought
down from limestone by rain water to the sandstone will deteriorate.
2.4. Deterioration and preservation of stone:
Preservations of stone:
•Coal tar
It preserve stone. But the colour of coal tar
produces objectionable appearance and surface
coated with coal tar absorbs heat of the sun.

•Linseed oil
Raw oil and boiled oil can be used. Raw oil
does not disturb the original shade of stone.
But it requires frequent renewal.

•Paint
The paints changes the original colour of stone.
2.4. Deterioration and preservation of stone:
Preservations of stone:
•Paraffin
Can be used alone or it may be dissolved in
neptha and then applied on the stone surface. It
changes the original colour of stone.

•Solution of alum and soap

The alum and soft soaps are in proportaion of
about 0.75N and 0.50N respectively and
they are dissolved in a litre of water.

•Solution of baryta dissolving barium

oxide (BaO) in
A solution of barium hydroxide. deionized water.
 2.5. Natural bed of stone:
 The natural bed of stone indicates the plane or bed on
which the sedimentary stone was originally deposited. The
stone can easily be split along this plane. For sedimentary
rocks, it is easy to observe and locate the natural bed as it lies
along the plane of stratification. The natural bed can occur in
case of only sedimentary type of rocks.
 In stone masonry, the direction of natural bed of all
sedimentary stones should be perpendicular to the
direction of pressure. This arrangement ensures maximum
strength of stone work.
 In arch work, the stones are placed with their natural beds
radial.
 2.6. Dressing of stone:
1. Hammer Dressed or Quarry-faced Surface:
This is the roughest form of surface finish. Stone as removed from
the quarry has large projections which are knocked off with the quarry
hammer and it is finally broken up into blocks of suitable size and
shape such as khandki, quoin, or rectangular blocks, The faces of the
blocks arc roughly planned and the stone is rendered suitable to be
used in masonry. When used in a wall, the roughly finished surfaces
arc further modified by forming a 2 cm. to 5 cm. wide margin about
the edges of the exposed face.

2. Rough tooled surface:

In this type of surface finish, the projection of the stone block are
removed by means of chisels and the surface is nearly dressed
true. The corners and the edges are made accurate, chisel
draughted margins sunk and the side and bed joints roughly
treated to ensure proper bonding.
 2.6. Dressing of stone:
3. Tooled Surface:
In this type of surface finish continuous parallel chisel marks
are produced throughout the width of the stone. The parallel
corrugations or chisel marks are made at closer intervals
rendering the surface truly planned. Different types of tooled
finishes are obtained by use of different chisel and marking
patterns.

4. Cut stone Surface:

In this type of surface finish the surface is dressed by using a,
sharp chisel so that the chisel marks are practically imperceptible.
It is considered superior to tooled surface.
 2.6. Dressing of stone:
5. Rubbed Surface:
This type of surface finish is obtained by grinding or rubbing a
cut stone surface by hand or machine until it gets perfectly
smooth.

6. Polished Surface:
The rubbed surfaces of granite, marble of lime stones are
polished to enhance their texture. Polishing may be done by
manual labour using sand and water, pumice stone etc. or by
rubbing machine.
Tools for Cutting and Dressing Stones