Stone Stories 2

Now that we're familiar with the classes of stones, let's delve even further!

Properties of stones:

Stones	Classification	Suitability
Granite	Igneous	Most suitable for engineering works such as bridge abutments, piers, sea walls, dams
Serpentine	Igneous	Ornamental works and quality building works
Sandstone	Sedimentary	For pavements, roof tiles, ornamental works and heavy engineering works
Limestone	Sedimentary	For pavements, roofing and in the manufacture of cement.
Laterite	Metamorphic	For rough stone masonry work and stone pitching
Marble	Metamorphic	Flooring and decorative ornamental works

Other general purposes of stones as building materials are:

• Foundations and Walls

          - sawn stones for substructure
          - limestones and sandstones for walls, piers and abutments

                         

          

• Facing and Architectural Items

         - Granites and sandstones are sawn from slabs or split from semi-finished product blocks to make
           facing slabs and stones, stairs and landings, parapets, etc.

        

• Road Construction

- curb stones that separate roadways from sidewalks

         

 - paving blocks for pavements

- cobblestones as reinforcement for slopes of earthworks and banks of water   basins

• Underground Structures and Bridges

Formwork to make slabs

Stone finishes

          - Granite and limestone in slab and stone forms are used for these; in other words, igneous and

            sedimentary rocks.

          - Tunnels and above-water elements of bridges are built of granite, diorite, gabbro and basalt. 

          - Face stones and facing slabs for tunnels and bridges are given rock face, grooved or fluted finishes.

• Heat- and Chemically-Resistant Items

          These are manufactured from non-weathered rocks, which are rocks that have not been exposed to

          the elements that cause wear, such as frost and chemicals.Most of them are made from chromite, 

          basalt, andesite and tuffs for high temperature working conditions.

Now that you know, you need not stay stoned when it comes to stones! (Yes, the pun is intended.)