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 Page 1


Stones                                                                          
  
CHAPTER-1 
STONES 
 
1.0 Introduction:  
All the building structures are composed of different 
types of materials. These materials are either called building 
materials or materials of construction. It is very essential for a 
builder, may be an architecture or engineer or contractor, to 
become conversant thoroughly with these building materials. 
The knowledge of different types of material, their properties 
and uses for different purposes provides and important tool in 
the hands of the builders in achieving economy in material 
cost. The material cost in a building ranges 30 to 50 percent 
cost of total cost construction. In addition to material 
economy, the correct use of material results in better 
structural strength, functional efficiency and esthetic 
appearance 
 
1.1  Classification of Rocks: 
Building stones are obtained from rocks occurring in 
nature and classified in three ways. 
1. Geological classification 
2. Physical classification 
3. Chemical classification 
 
I.  Geological Classification:  
According to this classification, the rocks are of the 
following types. 
Page 2


Stones                                                                          
  
CHAPTER-1 
STONES 
 
1.0 Introduction:  
All the building structures are composed of different 
types of materials. These materials are either called building 
materials or materials of construction. It is very essential for a 
builder, may be an architecture or engineer or contractor, to 
become conversant thoroughly with these building materials. 
The knowledge of different types of material, their properties 
and uses for different purposes provides and important tool in 
the hands of the builders in achieving economy in material 
cost. The material cost in a building ranges 30 to 50 percent 
cost of total cost construction. In addition to material 
economy, the correct use of material results in better 
structural strength, functional efficiency and esthetic 
appearance 
 
1.1  Classification of Rocks: 
Building stones are obtained from rocks occurring in 
nature and classified in three ways. 
1. Geological classification 
2. Physical classification 
3. Chemical classification 
 
I.  Geological Classification:  
According to this classification, the rocks are of the 
following types. 
              
a. Igneous rocks: Rocks that are formed by cooling of Magana 
(molten or pasty rocky material) are known as igneous rocks. 
Eg: Granite, Basalt and Dolerite etc. 
b. Sedimentary rocks: these rocks are formed by the deposition 
of production of weathering on the pre-existing rocks. 
Examples: gravel, sandstone, limestone, gypsum, lignite etc. 
c. Metamorphic rocks. These rocks are formed by the change 
in character of the pre-existing rocks. Igneous as well as 
sedimentary rocks are changed in character when they are 
subject to great heat and pressure. Known as metamorphism. 
Examples: Quartzite, Schist, Slate, Marble and Gneisses. 
 
II.  Physical Classification: 
This classification based on general structure of rocks. 
According to this, the rocks are classified into three types 
a. Stratified Rocks: These rocks posses planes of stratification 
or cleavage and such rocks can be easily split along these 
planes  
Ex: sedimentary rocks 
b. An stratified rocks: The structure may be crystalline 
granular or compact granular. Examples: Igneous rocks and 
Sedimentary rocks affected by movements of the earth. 
c. Foliated Rocks: These rocks have a tendency to split up in a 
definite direction only. Ex: Metamorphic rocks. 
 
III.  Chemical Classification:  
According to this classification rocks are classified into three 
types. 
Page 3


Stones                                                                          
  
CHAPTER-1 
STONES 
 
1.0 Introduction:  
All the building structures are composed of different 
types of materials. These materials are either called building 
materials or materials of construction. It is very essential for a 
builder, may be an architecture or engineer or contractor, to 
become conversant thoroughly with these building materials. 
The knowledge of different types of material, their properties 
and uses for different purposes provides and important tool in 
the hands of the builders in achieving economy in material 
cost. The material cost in a building ranges 30 to 50 percent 
cost of total cost construction. In addition to material 
economy, the correct use of material results in better 
structural strength, functional efficiency and esthetic 
appearance 
 
1.1  Classification of Rocks: 
Building stones are obtained from rocks occurring in 
nature and classified in three ways. 
1. Geological classification 
2. Physical classification 
3. Chemical classification 
 
I.  Geological Classification:  
According to this classification, the rocks are of the 
following types. 
              
a. Igneous rocks: Rocks that are formed by cooling of Magana 
(molten or pasty rocky material) are known as igneous rocks. 
Eg: Granite, Basalt and Dolerite etc. 
b. Sedimentary rocks: these rocks are formed by the deposition 
of production of weathering on the pre-existing rocks. 
Examples: gravel, sandstone, limestone, gypsum, lignite etc. 
c. Metamorphic rocks. These rocks are formed by the change 
in character of the pre-existing rocks. Igneous as well as 
sedimentary rocks are changed in character when they are 
subject to great heat and pressure. Known as metamorphism. 
Examples: Quartzite, Schist, Slate, Marble and Gneisses. 
 
II.  Physical Classification: 
This classification based on general structure of rocks. 
According to this, the rocks are classified into three types 
a. Stratified Rocks: These rocks posses planes of stratification 
or cleavage and such rocks can be easily split along these 
planes  
Ex: sedimentary rocks 
b. An stratified rocks: The structure may be crystalline 
granular or compact granular. Examples: Igneous rocks and 
Sedimentary rocks affected by movements of the earth. 
c. Foliated Rocks: These rocks have a tendency to split up in a 
definite direction only. Ex: Metamorphic rocks. 
 
III.  Chemical Classification:  
According to this classification rocks are classified into three 
types. 
Stones                                                                      
  
a. Siliceous rocks: In these rocks, silica is predominates. The 
rocks are hard; durable and not easily effected by weathering 
agencies. Ex: Granite, Quartzite, etc. 
b. Argillaceous Rocks: In these rocks, clay predominates. The 
rocks may be dense and compact or may be soft. 
Ex: slates, Laterites etc. 
c. Calcareous rocks: In these rocks, calcium carbonate 
predominates. The durability to these rocks will depend upon the 
constituents present in surrounding atmosphere. Ex: Lime Stone, 
marble etc. 
 
1.2  Uses of stones: 
1. Structure: Stones are used for foundations, walls, columns, 
lintels, arches, roofs, floors, damp proof course etc. 
2.Face works. Stones are adopted to give massive appearance 
to the structure. Wall are of bricks and facing is done in stones 
of desired shades. This is known as composite masonry. 
3. Paving stones: These are used to cover floor of building of 
various types such as residential, commercial, industrial etc. 
They are also adopted to form paving of roads, foot paths etc. 
4. Basic material: Stones are disintegrated and converted to 
form a basic material for cement concrete, morum of roads, 
calcareous cements, artificial stones, hallow blocks etc. 
5.Misalliances: Stones are also used for (i) ballast for 
railways (ii) flux in blast furnace (iii) Blocks in the 
construction of bridges, piers, abutments, retaining walls, 
light houses, dams etc. 
 
Page 4


Stones                                                                          
  
CHAPTER-1 
STONES 
 
1.0 Introduction:  
All the building structures are composed of different 
types of materials. These materials are either called building 
materials or materials of construction. It is very essential for a 
builder, may be an architecture or engineer or contractor, to 
become conversant thoroughly with these building materials. 
The knowledge of different types of material, their properties 
and uses for different purposes provides and important tool in 
the hands of the builders in achieving economy in material 
cost. The material cost in a building ranges 30 to 50 percent 
cost of total cost construction. In addition to material 
economy, the correct use of material results in better 
structural strength, functional efficiency and esthetic 
appearance 
 
1.1  Classification of Rocks: 
Building stones are obtained from rocks occurring in 
nature and classified in three ways. 
1. Geological classification 
2. Physical classification 
3. Chemical classification 
 
I.  Geological Classification:  
According to this classification, the rocks are of the 
following types. 
              
a. Igneous rocks: Rocks that are formed by cooling of Magana 
(molten or pasty rocky material) are known as igneous rocks. 
Eg: Granite, Basalt and Dolerite etc. 
b. Sedimentary rocks: these rocks are formed by the deposition 
of production of weathering on the pre-existing rocks. 
Examples: gravel, sandstone, limestone, gypsum, lignite etc. 
c. Metamorphic rocks. These rocks are formed by the change 
in character of the pre-existing rocks. Igneous as well as 
sedimentary rocks are changed in character when they are 
subject to great heat and pressure. Known as metamorphism. 
Examples: Quartzite, Schist, Slate, Marble and Gneisses. 
 
II.  Physical Classification: 
This classification based on general structure of rocks. 
According to this, the rocks are classified into three types 
a. Stratified Rocks: These rocks posses planes of stratification 
or cleavage and such rocks can be easily split along these 
planes  
Ex: sedimentary rocks 
b. An stratified rocks: The structure may be crystalline 
granular or compact granular. Examples: Igneous rocks and 
Sedimentary rocks affected by movements of the earth. 
c. Foliated Rocks: These rocks have a tendency to split up in a 
definite direction only. Ex: Metamorphic rocks. 
 
III.  Chemical Classification:  
According to this classification rocks are classified into three 
types. 
Stones                                                                      
  
a. Siliceous rocks: In these rocks, silica is predominates. The 
rocks are hard; durable and not easily effected by weathering 
agencies. Ex: Granite, Quartzite, etc. 
b. Argillaceous Rocks: In these rocks, clay predominates. The 
rocks may be dense and compact or may be soft. 
Ex: slates, Laterites etc. 
c. Calcareous rocks: In these rocks, calcium carbonate 
predominates. The durability to these rocks will depend upon the 
constituents present in surrounding atmosphere. Ex: Lime Stone, 
marble etc. 
 
1.2  Uses of stones: 
1. Structure: Stones are used for foundations, walls, columns, 
lintels, arches, roofs, floors, damp proof course etc. 
2.Face works. Stones are adopted to give massive appearance 
to the structure. Wall are of bricks and facing is done in stones 
of desired shades. This is known as composite masonry. 
3. Paving stones: These are used to cover floor of building of 
various types such as residential, commercial, industrial etc. 
They are also adopted to form paving of roads, foot paths etc. 
4. Basic material: Stones are disintegrated and converted to 
form a basic material for cement concrete, morum of roads, 
calcareous cements, artificial stones, hallow blocks etc. 
5.Misalliances: Stones are also used for (i) ballast for 
railways (ii) flux in blast furnace (iii) Blocks in the 
construction of bridges, piers, abutments, retaining walls, 
light houses, dams etc. 
 
                
1.3  Qualities of a good building stone: 
The following are the qualities or requirements of a good building 
stone. 
1. Crushing strength: For a good building stone, the crushing 
strength should be greater than l000kg per cm
2
. 
2. Appearance: Good building stone should be a uniform 
colour, and free from clay holes, spots of other colour bands 
etc capable of preserving the colour for longtime. 
3. Durability: A good building stone should be durable. The 
factors like heat and cold alternative wet and dry, dissolved 
gases in rain, high wind velocity etc affect the durability. 
4. Fracture: For good building stone its fracture should be 
sharp, even and clear. 
5. Hardness: The hardness greater than 17, treated as hard used 
in road works. It is between 14 to 17, medium hardness, less 
14 said be poor hardness. 
6. Percentage wear: For a good building stone, the percentage 
wear should be equal to or less then 3 percent. 
7. Resistance to fire : A good building stone be fire proof. 
Sandstone, Argillaceous stone resists fire quite well 
8. Specific gravity: For a good building stone the specific 
gravity should be greater then 8.7 or so. 
9. Texture: A good building stone should have compact fine 
crystalline structure should be free from cavities, cracks or 
patches of stuff or loose material. 
Page 5


Stones                                                                          
  
CHAPTER-1 
STONES 
 
1.0 Introduction:  
All the building structures are composed of different 
types of materials. These materials are either called building 
materials or materials of construction. It is very essential for a 
builder, may be an architecture or engineer or contractor, to 
become conversant thoroughly with these building materials. 
The knowledge of different types of material, their properties 
and uses for different purposes provides and important tool in 
the hands of the builders in achieving economy in material 
cost. The material cost in a building ranges 30 to 50 percent 
cost of total cost construction. In addition to material 
economy, the correct use of material results in better 
structural strength, functional efficiency and esthetic 
appearance 
 
1.1  Classification of Rocks: 
Building stones are obtained from rocks occurring in 
nature and classified in three ways. 
1. Geological classification 
2. Physical classification 
3. Chemical classification 
 
I.  Geological Classification:  
According to this classification, the rocks are of the 
following types. 
              
a. Igneous rocks: Rocks that are formed by cooling of Magana 
(molten or pasty rocky material) are known as igneous rocks. 
Eg: Granite, Basalt and Dolerite etc. 
b. Sedimentary rocks: these rocks are formed by the deposition 
of production of weathering on the pre-existing rocks. 
Examples: gravel, sandstone, limestone, gypsum, lignite etc. 
c. Metamorphic rocks. These rocks are formed by the change 
in character of the pre-existing rocks. Igneous as well as 
sedimentary rocks are changed in character when they are 
subject to great heat and pressure. Known as metamorphism. 
Examples: Quartzite, Schist, Slate, Marble and Gneisses. 
 
II.  Physical Classification: 
This classification based on general structure of rocks. 
According to this, the rocks are classified into three types 
a. Stratified Rocks: These rocks posses planes of stratification 
or cleavage and such rocks can be easily split along these 
planes  
Ex: sedimentary rocks 
b. An stratified rocks: The structure may be crystalline 
granular or compact granular. Examples: Igneous rocks and 
Sedimentary rocks affected by movements of the earth. 
c. Foliated Rocks: These rocks have a tendency to split up in a 
definite direction only. Ex: Metamorphic rocks. 
 
III.  Chemical Classification:  
According to this classification rocks are classified into three 
types. 
Stones                                                                      
  
a. Siliceous rocks: In these rocks, silica is predominates. The 
rocks are hard; durable and not easily effected by weathering 
agencies. Ex: Granite, Quartzite, etc. 
b. Argillaceous Rocks: In these rocks, clay predominates. The 
rocks may be dense and compact or may be soft. 
Ex: slates, Laterites etc. 
c. Calcareous rocks: In these rocks, calcium carbonate 
predominates. The durability to these rocks will depend upon the 
constituents present in surrounding atmosphere. Ex: Lime Stone, 
marble etc. 
 
1.2  Uses of stones: 
1. Structure: Stones are used for foundations, walls, columns, 
lintels, arches, roofs, floors, damp proof course etc. 
2.Face works. Stones are adopted to give massive appearance 
to the structure. Wall are of bricks and facing is done in stones 
of desired shades. This is known as composite masonry. 
3. Paving stones: These are used to cover floor of building of 
various types such as residential, commercial, industrial etc. 
They are also adopted to form paving of roads, foot paths etc. 
4. Basic material: Stones are disintegrated and converted to 
form a basic material for cement concrete, morum of roads, 
calcareous cements, artificial stones, hallow blocks etc. 
5.Misalliances: Stones are also used for (i) ballast for 
railways (ii) flux in blast furnace (iii) Blocks in the 
construction of bridges, piers, abutments, retaining walls, 
light houses, dams etc. 
 
                
1.3  Qualities of a good building stone: 
The following are the qualities or requirements of a good building 
stone. 
1. Crushing strength: For a good building stone, the crushing 
strength should be greater than l000kg per cm
2
. 
2. Appearance: Good building stone should be a uniform 
colour, and free from clay holes, spots of other colour bands 
etc capable of preserving the colour for longtime. 
3. Durability: A good building stone should be durable. The 
factors like heat and cold alternative wet and dry, dissolved 
gases in rain, high wind velocity etc affect the durability. 
4. Fracture: For good building stone its fracture should be 
sharp, even and clear. 
5. Hardness: The hardness greater than 17, treated as hard used 
in road works. It is between 14 to 17, medium hardness, less 
14 said be poor hardness. 
6. Percentage wear: For a good building stone, the percentage 
wear should be equal to or less then 3 percent. 
7. Resistance to fire : A good building stone be fire proof. 
Sandstone, Argillaceous stone resists fire quite well 
8. Specific gravity: For a good building stone the specific 
gravity should be greater then 8.7 or so. 
9. Texture: A good building stone should have compact fine 
crystalline structure should be free from cavities, cracks or 
patches of stuff or loose material. 
Stones                                                             
  
10. Water absorption: For a good building stone, the percentage 
absorption by weight after 24 hours should not exceed 0.60. 
11. Seasoning: Stones should be well seasoned before putting 
into use. A period of about 6 to 12 months is considered to be 
sufficient for proper seasoning. 
12. Toughness Index: Impact test, the value of toughness less 
than 13 – Not tough, between 13 and  19 – Moderate,  greater 
than 19- high 
 
1.4  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. 
 
1.4.1  Granite  
1. Igneous rock 
2. Composed of quart, felspar and mica and minerals 
3. Available in grey, green, brown and pink and red 
4. Hard and durable 
5. High resistance to weathering  
6. The texture varies with its quality 
7. Specify gravity 2.7 and compressive strength 700  to 1300 
kg/cm
2 
 
8. Used for ornamental, road metal, railway ballast, aggregate 
for concrete; for construction of bridges, piers and marine 
works etc.