Chapter-2

STONE

1. Introduction 
1.1. Rocks 
 Rocks are portion of earth’s crust and are made up of minerals and organic
matter.
 E.g: Quartz, Felspar, Mica, Dolomite, etc.

1.2. Stone 
 Stone is defined as the natural, hard substance formed from minerals and
organic matters which are derived from rocks.
 Stone has been used in almost all elements of the structure, as load carrying
units and also for enhancing the beauty of the building.
 E.g.: Granite, basalt, trap, marble, slate, sandstone and limestone
 Stone has gradually lost importance with the advent of cement and steel

1.3. Photos of stone structures 

Fig: Taj Mahal Fig: Great Wall of China

Fig: Pyramids of Egypt Fig: Railway bridges

Source: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/geology/grocha/monument/taj.html 
http://pakiholic.com/23‐stunning‐pictures‐trains‐different‐parts‐pakistan/

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 2. Types of Rocks 

Rocks are classified on the basis of:

Geological Formation Physical classification  Chemical 

Classification 
 
2.1. Geological Formation 
 
2.1.2. Sedimentary 2.1.3. Metamorphic
2.1.1. Igneous Rocks
rocks rocks
Igneous rocks are of volcanic Sedimentary rocks are Theses rocks are
origin and are formed by formed from the weathering formed by the change
solidification molten mass of deposition, compaction in character of the pre-
(magma) lying below or above and cementation of pre- existing rocks (igneous
the earth’s surface existing rocks. or sedimentary rocks).
The Igneous as well
sedimentary rocks are
changed in character
when they are
subjected to great heat
and pressure. The
process of change is
known as
“metamorphism”.

E.g: Granite, Syenite, Gabbro, E.g: Sandstone, Limestone, E.g: Marble (Used in
Peridotite, basalt etc. Gypsum, Shale, Dolomite Taj Mahal), Slate,
etc. Schist, Quartzite etc

   

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 2.2. Physical classification 

2.2.2. Un‐stratified  2.2.3. Foliated 

2.2.1. Stratified Rocks 
Rocks  Rocks 
These rocks show distinct layers These rocks do not show These rocks have the
along which the rock can split. any stratification and tendency to split up
cannot be easily split into only in a definite
thin layers. direction. Most of the
metamorphic rocks
have a foliated
structure except for
marble and quartzite
which have granulose
structure

E.g: Sandstone, limestone, shale, E.g: granite, Basalt, trap

slate, marble etc etc.

2.3. Chemical Classification 
 
2.3.2. Argillaceous  2.3.3. Calcareous 
2.3.1. Siliceous Rocks 
Rocks  Rocks 
The major constituent is silica The argil or clay The major constituent
(SiO2) i.e. Sand. The rocks are predominates in these is lime (CaO). The
very hard and durable. rocks. Such rocks may be durability of these
dense and compact or they rocks will depend
may be soft. These stones upon the constituent
are hard and durable but present in the
brittle surrounding
atmosphere

E.g Granite, basalt trap, quartzite E.g: Slate, Laterite etc E.g: Limestone,
etc Marble, Dolomite etc

   

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 Weathering 
Weathering is the breakdown of rocks at the Earth’s surface, by the
action of rainwater, extremes of temperature

Fig: Weathering
Source: http://www.eschooltoday.com/rocks/what-is-physical-weathering-of-rocks.html

Sediments 
Sediments are fragments of rocks that have been broken down as result
of weathering (wind, ice, running water etc.). Sediments are classified
according to their size. Clay (smallest size), silt, sand, pebbles, cobble,
boulders (largest size)
Sedimentary are the only type of rocks that may contain fossils because
a lot of heat is involved in forming the igneous and metamorphic rocks
and such heat destroys the remains of past life (fossils)

Fig: Coquina

Compacting 
Compacting means squeezing together
 
Cementing 
Cementing means gluing or sticking together the sediments

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 3. QUARRYING OF STONES 

 The process of taking out stones from natural rock beds is known as quarrying.
 The difference between a mine and a quarry is that in mine the operations are carried
out under the ground at great depth. In case of quarry, the operations are carried out
at ground level in an exposed condition.

4. ARTIFICIAL STONES 

 Also called cast stones or reconstructed stones.

 It may be of following forms

4.1. Types of Artificial Stone 

4.1.1. Cement Concrete 

 This is a mixture of cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and water.

 It may be cast-in-situ or pre-cast
 If steel is used with cement concrete then it is known as the reinforced cement
concrete or RCC construction

4.1.2. Mosaic Tiles 

 The pre-cast concrete tiles with marble chips at top surface are known as the mosaic
tiles.

4.1.3. Terrazzo 

 This is a mixture of marble chips and cement.

 Watch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHfev4H3AWM
 Watch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyP_61zgLzQ

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 Fig: Terrazzo Floor

4.2. Advantages of Artificial Stones 

 It can cast in desired shape to suit the architectural requirements

 The strength can be adjusted according to the requirement
 It is good in resisting deteriorating and disintegration caused by various atmospheric
agents like rain frost etc.
 It is cheap and economical with least amount of wastage

5. STONE MASONRY 

 Masonry: Use of stone or bricks to construct building structure

 Stone masonry can be done using well-shaped and dressed regular stone blocks or
using undressed and irregular stone blocks.
 Stone masonry can broadly be classified into following two categories:

5.1. Rubble masonry 

In this masonry stone are not dressed. They are used in masonry as they are 
obtained  from  the  quarry.  Stone  obtained  from  quarry  may  be  slightly 
shaped with the help of hammers, just by removing excess projection before 
they are used in masonry 

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 5.2. Ashlar masonry 

In this masonry no irregular stone block is used. The entire construction is 
done using square or rectangular dressed stone blocks 

Fig: Wall and fireplace in Rubble masonry

Fig: Walls in Ashlar masonry

Fig: Combination of Rubble & Ashlar masonry

   

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 6. PERMISSIBLE LOAD ON STONE MASONRY 

Types of stone masonry  Safe allowable load 
(kN/mm2) 

Rubble (granite) in cement mortar  8.8 

Rubble (granite) in lime mortar  3.3 

Ashlar (granite) in cement mortar  22 

Ashlar (granite) in lime mortar  16 

   

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 7. CHARACTER OF GOOD BUILDING STONE 

7.1. Appearance 

7.2. Strength 

7.3. Weight 

7.4. Hardness 

7.5. Water absorption 

7.6. Seasoning 

7.7. Weathering 

7.8. Fire resistance 

7.9. Specific gravity 

8. Task for self study 

8.1. The Rock Cycle  

Check video: http://www.eschooltoday.com/rocks/the‐rock‐cycle.html 

8.2. Types of Rubble and Ashlar masonry 

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