Uses of stones
The uses of stones are listed as follows:
- Stones are used in the construction of foundations, walls, lintels, columns, arches, dams, retaining walls, harbours, light houses, barrages, piers and abutments of bridges.
- The stones are used as flooring material, damp proof course and roofing material.
- Stones with good appearance are used for the ornamental and architectural works in the buildings. Polished marbles and granite are commonly used for face works.
- For paving of roads, footpaths and open spaces around the buildings, stones are used.
- Some stones are also used for making of fireproof structures.
- Certain stones can also be used as decorative material in buildings.
- Sandstone is popular with sculptors an also used for garden walls and paths in landscaping.
- Stone can also be used as stone dust in place of sand, where sand is not available.
- Limestone is used as a flux while manufacturing cement and also in blast furnaces.
- Some stones are used in the manufacturing of iron.
- Crushed stones are adopted for the following works:
- As a basic inert material in concrete
- For making artificial stones and building blocks
- As railway ballast.
- The most commonly used stones in the construction of residential buildings are
- Work surface in kitchen – granite
- Counter tops in kitchen – marble
- Bathrooms – marble, soft limestone
- Staircase – marble, limestone
- Pools & spa – marble, limestone
- Backdrop for a luxurious room – limestone containing small fossils, marbles with less contrast in the veining, subtly-speckled granites
Commonly used stones in construction
| Uses | Stone | Reason for selection |
|---|---|---|
| Construction of building exposed to high wind blowing particles | Granite, Fine grained sandstone | Hard |
| For general building works like wall, foundation, superstructure | Sandstone, Limestone | Hard, Durable |
| For heavy engineering works like docks, bridges, light houses, piers, abutments, retaining walls, breakwaters | Granite, Gneiss | Strong, Durable, Capable of resisting thrust |
| For buildings exposed to fire | Compact sandstone, Limestone | Fire resistant |
| For buildings in industrial towns | Granite, Compact sandstone, Quartzite | Acid resistant, smoke and fume resistant |
| For metal roads and aggregate for concrete | Granite, Basalt, Quartzite | Hard, Tough, High abrasion resistant |
| For electrical switch boards | Marble, Slate | Electrical resistant, Non-absorbent of water |
| For facing works of buildings, carvings, ornamental works and statues | Marble, Close grained sandstone | Lightweight, Soft, Easy to work, Pleasing colour and appearance |
| For facing works of buildings, carvings, ornamental works and statues | Fine grained granite | Takes high polish |
| For foundation of building in places of high ground water level | Granite, Quartzite | |
| For floor pavings | Marble, Slate, Sandstone, Granite | |
| For construction of building facing the sea | Granite, Compact sandstone | Resistance to weathering action of wind |
| For the construction of arches | Fine grained sandstone | Strong, Durable |
| For use as railway ballast | Coarse grained sandstone, Quartzite | Hard, Compact |
