Abstract
“Sierra Elvira stone” is one of the ornamental building stones most widely used in the historical monuments of eastern Andalusia. A Liassic age limestone, it appears in the central section of the Baetic Mountains and more specifically in the Middle Subbaetic domain. While the most common variety is a crinoid limestone, a micritic limestone of the same age has also been quarried, albeit in much smaller quantities. These stones form very thick beds, up to nearly 5 m deep, that run in consistently parallel lines and have a dip angle that facilitates quarrying. With petrographic, physical and mechanical properties that ensure stone strength and durability, it is a high quality building material suitable for both structural and ornamental purposes. These properties can be attributed to the minimal open porosity and concomitant excellent water resistance that characterize the stone, as well as to its high mechanical strength and low textural anisotropy, both elastic and mechanical. With such attributes, the stone can be successfully used for any number of purposes, including decorative stonework (portals, fountains, plinths), structural members (column shafts and bases) or urban curbing and paving. Intervention on Sierra de Elvira limestone structures should be limited to cleaning or repair, for consolidating or protective materials are scantly effective.
Highlights
Throughout history and even today, Sierra Elvira stone has played an important role in the building industry in eastern Andalusia and in particular in the province of Granada
“Sierra Elvira stone” is one of the ornamental building stones most widely used in the historical monuments of eastern Andalusia
In the natural stone industry, Sierra Elvira stone is known as Bronceado Gris Sierra Elvira (1) because of the diversity of its coloration, which ranges from dark grey to greenish bronze
Summary
Throughout history and even today, Sierra Elvira stone has played an important role in the building industry in eastern Andalusia and in particular in the province of Granada. In the natural stone industry, Sierra Elvira stone is known as Bronceado Gris Sierra Elvira (bronze grey Sierra Elvira) (1) because of the diversity of its coloration, which ranges from dark grey to greenish bronze. Many historians refer to this type of stone as "Sierra Elvira green marble" (2, 3). Almost all the many varieties of rock outcropping in this area are calcareous, and the one most widely used for ornamental purposes is crinoid limestone. A second variety with a markedly micritic texture known as "slab stone", used in the past to a lesser extent, has since fallen out of favour and has barely been quarried since the nineteen thirties
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