Requirements of Good Building Stones

Requirements of good building stones is the subject of this passage. Stone is commonly used as a building material for better durability, strength and classic look. Nowadays stones are also used for exterior and interior architectural work. Before using any stone in our building we should know the characteristics of good building stone.

Requirements of Good Building Stones

The following are the requirements of good building stones:

(i) Strength

(ii) Durability

(iii) Hardness

(iv) Toughness

(v) Specific Gravity

(vi) Porosity and Absorption

(vii) Dressing

(viii) Appearance

(ix) Seasoning

(x) Cost

Strength

The stone should be able to resist the load coming on it. Ordinarily this is not of primary concern since all stones are having good strength. However in case of a large structure, it may be necessary to check the strength.

Durability

Stones selected should be capable of resisting adverse effects of natural forces like wind, rain, and heat.

Hardness

The stone used in floors and pavements should be able to resist abrasive forces caused by the movement of men and materials over them.

Toughness

Building stones should be tough enough to sustain stresses developed due to vibrations. The vibrations may be due to the machinery mounted over them or due to the loads moving over them. The stone aggregates used in the road construction should be tough.

Specific Gravity

Heavier variety of stones should be used for the construction of dams, retaining walls, docks, and harbors. The specific gravity of good building stone is between 2.4 and 2.8.

Porosity and Absorption

Building stone should not be porous. If it is porous rainwater enters the pour and reacts with stone and crumbles it. In higher altitudes, the freezing of water in pores takes place and it results in the disintegration of the stone.

Dressing

Giving the required shape to the stone is called dressing. It should be easy to dress so that the cost of dressing is reduced. However the care should be taken so that, this is not at the cost of the required strength and the durability.

Appearance

In case of the stones to be used for face works, where appearance is a primary requirement, its color and ability to receive polish is an important factor.

Seasoning

Good stones should be free from the quarry sap. Laterite stones should not be used for 6 to 12 months after quarrying. They are allowed to get rid of quarry sap by the action of nature. This process of removing quarry sap is called seasoning.

Cost

Cost is an important consideration in selecting a building material. The proximity of the quarry to the building site brings down the cost of transportation and hence the cost of stones comes down.

Final Conclusion

On the other hand it may be noted that not a single stone may satisfy all the requirements of a good building stones, as one requirement can oppose another. For instance, durability and strength requirement contradicts ease of dressing requirement. Therefore it is necessary that site engineer looks into the properties needed for the intended work and choose the stone.

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Sources

civiljungle.com/properties-of-stones/

www.expertsmind.com/questions/requirements-of-good-building-stones-30118274.aspx

civilpanel.com/good-building-stone/