As

a
building
material

Earth Crust Rock Stone

Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 1

 1. Geological Classification
a) Igneous rocks
b) Sedimentary rocks
c) Metamorphic rocks
2. Physical Classification 3. Chemical Classification
a) Stratified rocks a) Siliceous rocks
b) Non-stratified rocks b) Argillaceous rocks
c) Foliated rocks c) Calcareous rocks

Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 2

Sources of stone:
Monomineralic rock
Polymineralic rock
Rock forming minerals: ( Found in igneous rocks)
1. Augite. 9. Serpentine.
2. Chlorite. 10. Calcite.
3. Felspar.
4. Hornblende.
5. Mica
6. Olivine.
7. Plagioclase.
8. Quartz.

Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 3

 Rock forming minerals: (Found in sedimentary rocks)
1. Calcite.
2. Magnesite.
3. Dolomite.
4. Glauconite.
5. Limonite.
6. Gypsum.
7. Anhydrate.
Texture or structure of a rock
The arrangement of minerals forming a rock is known as its texture or structure.
1. Compact crystalline. 6. Pisolitic.
2. Conglomerate. 7. Porous granular.
3. Foliated. 8. Porphyritic.
4. Glassy. 9. Vesicular.
5. Granular crystalline.

Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 4

Fracture of a rock
The type of surface obtained, when a rock is broken, indicates its fracture.
1. Conchoidal.
2. Earthy.
3. Even.
4. Fibrous.
5. Hackly.
6. Uneven.
Uses of stones:
1. Structure.
2. Face work.
3. Paving.
4. Basic mineral.
5. Miscellaneous
ballast for railways, blocks in construction of bridges, piers,
retaining walls, light house, damns, etc,

Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 5

1. Dressing of stones is tedious, laborious and time
consuming.
2. Desired strength and quality not available at moderate
rates especially in plain areas.
3. RCC, Steel are alternatives to stones and gives more
strength and flexibility.
4. Stone structure design can’t give freeness and flexibility to
the designer.

Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 6

Definition and Importance

Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 7

1. Acid test.
2. Attrition test.
3. Crushing test.
4. Crystallization test.
5. Freezing and thawing test.
6. Hardness test.
7. Impact test.
8. Microscopic test.
9. Smith’s test.
10. Water absorption test.

Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 8

1. Crushing strength. 11. Texture.
2. Appearance. 12. Toughness index
3. Durability. (between 13 and 19
4. Facility of dressing. 13. Water absorption must be
5. Fracture. Less than 0.60
6. Hardness. 14. Weathering.
7. Percentage wear.
8. Resistance to fire.
9. Seasoning.
10. Specific gravity.

Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 9

1. Quarrying with hand tools.
2. Quarrying with channeling machine.
3. Quarrying by blasting.

Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 10

Purpose: Classification Finishes used
1. Axed finish.
1. To get desired 1. Quarry dressing 2. Boasted or drove
appearance. 2. Site dressing. finish.
2. To make the transport 3. Chisel finish.
from quarry easy and 4. Dragged or
combed finish.
economical. 5. Furrowed finish.
3. To suit the requirements 6. Moulded finish.
of stone masonry. 7. Hammer dressed
4. To take the advantage of finish.
8. Plain finish.
local people who are 9. Polished finished.
trained to such type of 10. Punched machine.
work. 11. Reticulated finish.
12. Rubbed finish.
13. Scabbling finish.
14. Tooled finish.
15. Self-faced or rock-
faced or quarry-
faced finish.
16. Sunk finish.
17. Vermiculated
finish.
18. Circular finish.
Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 11
1. Alternate wetness and
drying.
2. Frost.
3. Impurities in atmosphere.
4. Living organisms.
5. Movement of chemicals.
6. Nature of mortar.
7. Rain water.
8. Temperature variations.
9. Vegetable growth.
10. Wind.

Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 12

Following precautions to be taken to retard the decaying action of weathering
agencies on stones:
1. Compact siliceous stones.
2. External renderings.
3. Joints.
4. Natural beds.
5. Qualities of stones.
6. Seasoned stones.
7. Size of stones.
8. Washing with water.

Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 13

 Why?
1. Coal tar.
2. Linseed oil.
3. Paint.
4. Paraffin.
5. Solution of alum and soap.
6. Solution of baryta.

What is an artificial stone?

1. Cement concrete.
2. Mosaic tiles.
3. Terrazzo.
Advantages of artificial stones
Assignment: Make a list on common building stones in India describing
stone name, classification, qualities, uses and localities where they
are available ( in A-1 sheet )
Hrishiraj Sarma, APIED/2013 14