Various types of stone
There are many types of stone used in construction with various uses. Some stones are used more for the construction of the walls to stones used for decorative features on the facades.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LateriteIt
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.
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.
GneissIt
This 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.
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 to2.65. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LateriteIt
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.
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.
GneissIt
This 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.
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 to2.65. 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.
How stone is joined to form a wall
Stone construction is one of the oldest forms of building. Examples of the strength of stone can be seen in ancient structures like Greek temples, the pyramids, or gothic cathedrals that have stood the test of time. Modern stone building techniques employ both traditional and newer methods, some in combination to form strong beautiful homes.
Dry Stone Stacking
Stacking stones together to make a structure is one of the earliest stone building methods. Stones are stacked together without mortar so that they interlock and form a solid wall, with larger heavier stones to the bottom and lighter stones as it rises. Typically these tend to decrease in width or taper the higher the walls go for stability. Settling causes the stones to lock together further, and this method forms a good sturdy wall. The main key is to use irregularly shaped stones that fit together well.
Stacking stones together to make a structure is one of the earliest stone building methods. Stones are stacked together without mortar so that they interlock and form a solid wall, with larger heavier stones to the bottom and lighter stones as it rises. Typically these tend to decrease in width or taper the higher the walls go for stability. Settling causes the stones to lock together further, and this method forms a good sturdy wall. The main key is to use irregularly shaped stones that fit together well.
Stone Masonry
Securing a stone wall with mortar gives both strength and weatherproofing qualities to stone construction. Ancient and still visible today, everything from Greek temples to gothic cathedrals have been created with this technique. Two methods can be employed with stone masonry, free shaped stones that are fit together according to size and shape and mortared in place or cut and chiseled stone blocks mortared together to form a wall. Experience is a must with this craft, but the result is a beautiful and enduring structure when complete.
Securing a stone wall with mortar gives both strength and weatherproofing qualities to stone construction. Ancient and still visible today, everything from Greek temples to gothic cathedrals have been created with this technique. Two methods can be employed with stone masonry, free shaped stones that are fit together according to size and shape and mortared in place or cut and chiseled stone blocks mortared together to form a wall. Experience is a must with this craft, but the result is a beautiful and enduring structure when complete.
Slipform
Modern methods of stone building apply both time-tested techniques and the benefit of modern materials. Using a form, stones are stacked with the flat side facing outward, then concrete is poured behind the stacked stone in the form and allowed to harden. If more than one set of forms is available, they can be leapfrogged up the wall cutting the build time even more. Slipform is the most common modern form of stone building, and it is durable, environmentally friendly and adds aesthetic and monetary value to a home.
Stone Veneer
Adding stone to the exterior of the house by cementing them in place is another form of using stone for building. This technique does not employ the stone as a structural material. It is primarily for aesthetic purposes, although having a stone veneer wall will add insulating and heat-gathering benefits to your home. Stone is basically "glued" to the outside walls of the already-constructed home with mortar or cement or a building adhesive. This method is suitable for more urban areas where stone wall construction techniques may not be feasible.
Adding stone to the exterior of the house by cementing them in place is another form of using stone for building. This technique does not employ the stone as a structural material. It is primarily for aesthetic purposes, although having a stone veneer wall will add insulating and heat-gathering benefits to your home. Stone is basically "glued" to the outside walls of the already-constructed home with mortar or cement or a building adhesive. This method is suitable for more urban areas where stone wall construction techniques may not be feasible.
Tilt Up
A newer method of employing both traditional stone and modern techniques is tilt up wall forming. This is done by laying out a form on the ground rather than standing it in place. The stones are laid out in the form, then rebar is added for strength, and concrete poured in the form. Pre-casting the walls allows for it to be completely formed then lifted in place with a crane. Pre-cast sills or window frames can be added, and the entire wall laid out on one section, then lifted and joined with the other walls.
A newer method of employing both traditional stone and modern techniques is tilt up wall forming. This is done by laying out a form on the ground rather than standing it in place. The stones are laid out in the form, then rebar is added for strength, and concrete poured in the form. Pre-casting the walls allows for it to be completely formed then lifted in place with a crane. Pre-cast sills or window frames can be added, and the entire wall laid out on one section, then lifted and joined with the other walls.
The Stone Used On The Catacombs
The Cemetery lodge which is built from Staffordshire Blue Stone.