Characteristics of stones

In order to ensure suitable selection of stone of particular work, one must be conversant with its composition, characteristics, uses and place of availability.

Granite

• Igneous rock

• Composed of quart, feldspar and mica and minerals

• Available in grey, green, brown and pink and red

• Hard and durable

• High resistance to weathering

• The texture varies with its quality

• Specify gravity 2.7 and compressive strength 700 to 1300 kg/cm2

• Used for ornamental, road metal, railway ballast, aggregate for concrete; for construction of bridges, piers and marine works etc.

Balast

• Igneous rock

• It is compact, hard and heavy

• 3.Available in red, yellow grey, blue and greenish black colour

• Specific gravity is 3 and compressive strength varies 1530 to 1890 kg/cm2.

• Used for ornamental, rail road ballast, aggregates for concrete etc.

Sand Stone:

• Sedimentary rock

• It is available in variety of formations fine grained, coarse grained compact or porous

• Available in white, green, blue, black, red and yellow.

• Specific gravity 2.65 to 2.95

• Compressive strength is 650kgs / cm2

• Used for ashlars works

Lime Stone:

• Sedimentary rock: It is available in a variety of forms which differ from one another in colour Compaction, texture, hardness and durable

• Compact lime stone

• Granular lime stone

• Magnesia lime stone

• Kanker lime stone

• Used for paving, road metal, etc

Marble

• Metamorphic rock

• Available in white, blue, green, yellow black and red colour

• High compactness,

• Suitable for decorative works, wall lining columns, pile, table slabs, hearths, tiled floors, steps of stair case etc.

Slate:

• Metamorphic rock

• Non absorbent, compact fine grained and produce metallic ringing sound when struck

• Available in black, dark blue, grey, reddish brown etc.

• Used for providing damp proof course, paving dados etc