Stone Masonry Flashcards
What is commercial building stone? (2)
- rock taken from the earth and shaped for the purpose of construction
- stone is a natural, diverse building material
How is commercial building stone used or installed? (2)
- laid in mortar, much like brick
- mechanically attached to the building frame as facing
What are the six types of building stone according to ASTM C119?
- granite
- limestone
- quartz-based
- slate
- marble
- other
What are the characteristics of granite? (5)
- nonporous, strongest stone, very durable
- suitable for exposure to severe weathering and ground contact
- available in many colors
- can accept many finishes, including polished
- most common stone quarried for construction in North America
What are the characteristics of limestone? (3)
- strength and porosity vary with density
- colors range from white, to gray, to red
- normally has a textured finish
What are some characteristics of quartz-based stone? (3)
- varies in density and porosity
- color varies significantly with types of minerals that bind the quartz particles
- cannot be polished
What are some characteristics of slate? (3)
- derived from shales
- dense, hard stone with closely spaced layers or ‘planes’
- available in a variety of colors
What are some characteristics of marble? (3)
- varies greatly in its physical properties and appearance
- many colors, frequently with extensive veining
- easily polished
What stones comprise the ‘other’ group? (7)
- travertine
- alabaster
- greenstone
- schist
- serpentine
- soapstone
What are some characteristics of travertine? (3)
- partially crystallized, patterned calcite
- chemically similar to limestone
- physical properties similar to marble
What is fieldstone?
rough building stone obtained from river beds or rock-strewn fields
What is rubble?
irregular quarried fragments that have at least one good face
What is dimension stone?
quarried and cut into rectangular shapes
What is flagstone?
thin slabs used for flooring and paving
How is stone cut?
from the quarry in blocks
How do cutting methods vary?
based on type of stone
What machines are used to cut limestone and marble?
saws with diamond blades
What is required to cut granite?
granite is much harder and usually requires blasting or the use of a jet burner
What are the four milling methods?
- band sawing
- circular sawing
- hand carving
- planing
What is a good predictor for the future performance of stone?
past history in similar conditions
What is petrographic analysis?
microscopic analysis of mineral content and structure
What is laboratory testing?
water absorption, density, compressive strength, dimensional stability, freeze-thaw resistance, chemical resistance, flexural strength, etc.
How is stone sourced?
locally sourced for greater economy
What correlates with greater durability?
high density and low water absorption
How does stone masonry work? (3)
- stones support their own weight
- most commonly set in mortar, like brick or CMU
- may also be dry set, stacked without mortar or set on shims with sealant-filled joints
What is stone cladding, or curtain walls, and how do they work?
- stone panels mechanically attached to building frame
- attachment system carries the weight of the panels
What does rubble masonry use?
unsquared stone blocks
What is random rubble masonry?
laid without continuous horizontal joints
What is coursed rubble masonry?
laid with continuous horizontal joints
Can ashlar masonry be random or coursed?
yes; either
