Common Varieties of Stones - Granite - Properties - Uses - Availability

 

Common varieties of stones used in construction work:

1. Granite
2. Basalt & Trap
3. Marble
4. Sandstone
5.  Limestone
6.  Kadapa Slab
7.  Shahabad Stone
8.  Laterite
9.   Gneiss
10. Quartzite
11.  Slate

Granite

·         Common variety of igneous rock.
·         Formation: By solidification of ‘magma’ either below or above the earth’s surface at its origin.
·         Composition (mineral constituents): Particles of Quartz + Felspar + Mica.
·         Chemically siliceous in nature.
·         Physically unstratified.

Properties Of Granite

 >    Hard and Durable.
·         High Resistance to natural forces.
·         Specific Gravity is 2.63 – 2.75.
·         Weighs 26-27 kN/m3.
·         Compressive Strength 75 – 127 N/mm2.
·         Water absorption is less than 1%.
·         Resists large thrust.
·         Takes high polish.
·         Dressing and polishing is costly.
·         Appears like mirror on finishing.
·         Nonresistant to fire

 

Availability of Granite in INDIA:

·        >        Maharashtra
·         Bihar
·         Gujarat
·         Bengal
·         M.P
·         A.P
 

      Uses Of Granite

Ø              > Suitable for heavy engineering works like Abutments and

               Piers of Bridges, Weirs, Docks, Light houses, Retaining

               walls etc

Ø              > Decorative, Monumental facing works (Desired high

               polishing)

Ø              > For flooring, steps, sills, beams, epitaphs, and columns etc.

Ø              > As aggregate in concrete

Ø              > As ballast in Railway tracks

Ø              > As Road metal in Road constructions

            > Note: Unsuitable for carving.