Abstract
The ornamental stones industry has grown progressively in Egypt as the demand has increased for Egyptian decorative stones in indoor and outdoor building spaces. Choosing the most suitable ornamental stone for each purpose and taking the right decisions related to aesthetic and practical performance can be a challenge causing a lot of confusion for homeowners and contractors. Thus, there is a need to define what decorative style you are trying to achieve in order to properly choose the most suitable decorative stone. In this research, some Egyptian ornamental stones were evaluated by combining the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). The optimized AHP–TOPSIS comprehensive decision model was implemented on natural materials relevant to ornaments and the finishing purposes of indoor and outdoor buildings. Ten rock types from four Egyptian sites were studied, examined, and analyzed. According to the quality index scheme, grey granite is an ideal ornamental stone that meets indoor and outdoor purposes. Grey granite and black marble have a performance score (Pi) of 0.78 and 0.71, respectively. Serpentine and pink granite were ranked third with a Pi = 0.68. These results provide stakeholders with strategic indicators to select different natural ornamental stones based on the total points assigned to all rock specifications and costs.
Highlights
After the propagation of cement–concrete-based materials, markets experienced a slowdown in the use of natural stones, but with recent improvements in quarrying, cutting, and supplying technologies, natural building stones have returned to be used for various objectives in the construction industry
The results confirmed that choosing a suitable stone for indoor and outdoor building areas relies upon the specifications of stones and mechanical and monetary considerations
The optimum use of natural stones may be decided by assessing such types
Summary
Man has been using natural stones as premium construction materials. After the propagation of cement–concrete-based materials, markets experienced a slowdown in the use of natural stones, but with recent improvements in quarrying, cutting, and supplying technologies, natural building stones have returned to be used for various objectives in the construction industry (coating, walls, pavements, flooring, etc.). Ornamental stones are stones that are used for a decorative effect. The rock of this stone has beauty, durability, and stability. It is mined to be used in the construction of monuments [1]. This study sheds light on the problem that stands in the way of selecting the most suitable ornamental stone and the practical relevance of their study
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