Dimension Stone Research Articles

Surface Weathering of Tuffs: Compositional and Microstructural Changes in the Building Stones of the Medieval Castles of Hungary

Volcanic tuffs have a historical tradition of usage in Northern Hungary as dimension stones for monumental construction, Ottoman architecture, common dwellings, etc., admirable at its best in the medieval castles of Eger and Sirok. This research explores tuff deterioration in the castle walls, dealing with the mineralogical composition, microstructure, trace-element geochemistry, and microporosity of the surface weathering products and the near-surface stone substrate. The classic microscopic and mineralogical techniques–optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, and XRD–were supported by ICP-MS and nitrogen adsorption analyses. The textures and mineral assemblages of the tuffs are partly diverse, and so are the weathering characteristics, although including common features such as secondary crystallization of gypsum, swelling clay minerals, and iron oxides-hydroxides; deposition of airborne pollutants, i.e., carbon particles and heavy metals; formation of crusts and patinas; decreased surface microporosity. Nonetheless, the entity of deterioration varies, in relation to air pollution–involving changing emissions from road and rail transport–and the specific tuff texture, porosity, and durability–affecting pollutant absorption. The studied stone monuments offer the possibility to examine materials with analogue composition and petrogenesis but utilized in different environmental contexts, which allow pointing out the environmental and lithological constraints and cause-effect relationships related to surface weathering.

Analysis of Rock Raw Materials Transport and its Implications for Regional Development and Planning. Case Study of Lower Silesia (Poland)

The movement of rock raw materials from source to demand areas is carried out predominately with road and railway transport. The latter is less damaging to infrastructure, the environment and society and is cheaper for longer distances, but it is also less flexible and not widely used. The Lower Silesia region in southwestern Poland is an important producer of rock raw materials and the principal provider of igneous and metamorphic dimension stones and crushed rocks in the country. A multicriteria scoring scheme has been developed and applied to identify mines presently using road transport, that are predisposed to switch to or include a railway form of transport. Four criteria have been proposed, C1—distance to railway loading point, C2—annual production of rock raw material, C3—economic reserves, and C4—type of rock raw material. The scoring scheme (classification) was developed based on the results of descriptive statistics for mines presently using railway or combined road and railway forms of transport. Two scenarios were analyzed, one with equal weights (0.25) and the other with higher significance of C1 = 0.40 and C2 = 0.30, and lower significance of C3 = 0.20 and C4 = 0.10. In the result, 24 mines were identified and ranked in terms of their potential to introduce railway transport. The proposed methodology can be used universally for other regions and countries, and the results will be included in drawing up regional spatial development policies.

Spatial and Multicriteria Analysis of Dimension Stones and Crushed Rocks Quarrying in the Context of Sustainable Regional Development: Case Study of Lower Silesia (Poland)

This study aimed to analyze and assess the spatial and temporal trends in distribution of reserves and production of igneous and metamorphic dimension stones and crushed rocks in the Lower Silesia region, which with 90% of total supply is the key source region of these rock raw materials in Poland. The research utilized descriptive statistics to examine temporal variations of production, as well as to determine sufficiency of these resources for four different scenarios and seven main lithological groups of rocks. Spatial statistics in the geographic information system was used to map changes in spatial distribution of production with the density function, as well as to determine areas of highest concentration in the 2010–2018 period. Then, 169 communes in the region were assessed using the multicriteria analytical hierarchy process (AHP) technique to identify local communities prospective for development of this mining sector. Strong, positive correlation (r = 0.645) between year to year production change with annual rate of gross domestic product was determined. Sufficiency of economic reserves was estimated, in four scenarios, as being the lowest for melaphyre and porphyry (25–49 years), and the highest for marble (380–389 years). Reserves of basalt and amphibolite should last for approximately 50 years (32–60 and 36–67 years, respectively), granite for 82 to 110 years, and gabbro and gneiss for over 100 years (78–159 and 76–189 years, respectively). Maps revealed a possible trend of increasing production in quarries located in the central and eastern parts of Lower Silesia, whereas multicriteria analysis allowed for the identification of nine communes with the highest potential for rock raw material quarrying. The practical outcome of this study is a knowledge database for authorities, upon which sustainable management of regional rock raw materials can be based in the context of economic, social, and environmental impacts of their extraction.

Geotechnical properties of Lower Eocene limestones, Sinn El-Kaddab Plateau, southwest of Aswan, Egypt

This study investigates physical and mechanical characteristics of Lower Eocene limestone exposed on the Sinn El-Kaddab Plateau, southwest of Aswan. The limestone successions belonging to the upper member of the Dungul Formation attain 120 m in the composite section of the area. Sedimentologically, these limestones are composed of three lithofacies; hemipelagic facies at base composed mainly of wackstone, followed upwards by shallow marine nummulitic packstone and grainstone, and middle ramp facies at top composed mainly of bioclastic grainstone. The average values of the investigated physical properties include true density (2.70 g/cm3), bulk density (2.40 g/cm3), apparent specific gravity (2.66 g/cm3), apparent porosity (10.32%), and water absorption (4.44%). The average investigated mechanical properties values include Schmidt rebound attains (27.46), maximum stress (27.82 N/mm3), and compressive strength (283.77 kg/cm2). Unconfined uniaxial compressive strength and abrasion impact values were derived mathematically from equilibrated curves using Schmidt rebound values. Both limestones of Naqb Dungul and Kalabsha localities are suitable for uses in construction and ornamental purposes as dimension stone such as in floor tiles, interior and exterior cladding, production of bricks and mosaics, and possible non-constructional uses include fillers and pigments. Low values of both abrasions impact value obtained results; unconfined compressive strength and confined compressive strength of the lower facies refer to unsuitability as wear abrasive or road aggregates.

Investigation of Dimension Stone on the Island Brač—Geophysical Approach to Rock Mass Quality Assessment

A site located on the island of Brač is known in history for world-famous architectural stone and stone mining, dating all the way back to ancient Greek and Roman times. The most famous building constructed from the stone from Brač is the Diocletian Cesar Palace in the town Split. Prospective new locations for quarries are still required because the demand for the stone from the island is still high. This paper presents a review of undertaken geophysical investigations, as well as engineering geologic site prospection, with the purpose of determining if the rock mass quality is suitable for the mining of massive blocks needed for an architectural purpose—dimension stones. Several surface noninvasive geophysical methods were applied on the site, comprising of two seismic methods, multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and shallow refraction seismic (SRS) electrical methods of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), as well as electromagnetic exploration with ground penetrating radar (GPR). Results of geophysical investigations were compared to the engineering geologic prospection results, as well to the visible rock mass structure and observed discontinuities on the neighboring existing open mine quarry. Rock mass was classified into three categories according to its suitability for dimension stone exploitation. Each category is defined by compressional and shear seismic velocities as well as electrical resistivity. It has been found that even small changes in moisture content within the large monolithic rock mass can influence measured values of electrical resistivity. In the investigated area, dimension stone quarrying is advisable if the rock mass has values of resistivity higher than 3000 Ωm, as well as compressional seismic velocities higher than 3000 m/s and shear wave velocities higher than 1500 m/s. Georadar was found to be a good tool for the visual determination of fissured systems, and was used to confirm findings from other geophysical methods.

Natural radioactivity and radon exhalation rate of Sardinian dimension stones

Due to the ever-growing public concern about radon risk arising from building materials, the radon exhalation rates and the natural radioactivity of eighteen dimension stones mostly used in Sardinia and widely exported worldwide have been estimated by means of laboratory tests. Some of the quarrying companies that operate within the Sardinian territory provided the samples to be tested, which include twelve granitoids, four pyroclastic rocks and two basalts. The Activity Concentration Index (Iɤ), the External Radiation Hazard Index (Hex) and the Radium equivalent activity (Raeq) were calculated for each rock sample under investigation, based on the estimated values of 222Rn exhalation rate and 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radioactivity concentration. A poor correlation between radon release rates and 226Ra radioactivity concentrations was found. The contribution to indoor radon accumulation was also simulated for the stone with the highest 222Rn exhalation rate and the resulting concentration compared with the limit value establish by the 2013/59/Euratom Directive. These findings can be extended to rocks formed in similar geodynamic settings that are likely to produce igneous rocks with similar petrographic and geochemical features.

Stone as a structural material. Part 1: Mechanical properties

Dimension stone has been employed as a structural material for thousands of years, but its use has declined in recent times. The loss of traditional skills and knowledge has led this once ubiquitous material to be perceived as expensive to quarry, cut and transport, being seen in the eyes of many as suitable only for cladding or flooring. Yet when paired with a modern approach to structural analysis, design and detailing, and a rigorous statistical analysis of material strengths, stone can realise its potential as a material fit for the 21st century. This set of four articles will explore the contemporary use of stone in a variety of structural applications, showcasing the versatility of this often overlooked material. Part 1 will discuss the mechanical properties of stone, with subsequent parts covering the use of plain, reinforced and post-tensioned stone in buildings and staircases.

Jodhpur Sandstone: an Architectonic Heritage Stone from India

Jodhpur Sandstone, used extensively in several regional heritage buildings in north-western India, geologically belongs to the Ediacaran-Cambrian age Marwar Supergroup. The Marwar Supergroup has been subdivided into Jodhpur (arenaceous facies), Bilara (carbonate facies) and Nagaur (argillaceous facies) groups (in stratigraphically ascending order). The brown, red, pink and creamish pink varieties of Jodhpur Group Sandstone are the most preferred dimension stone varieties, excavated from several open quarries in the region between Jodhpur and Satrava in western part of Rajasthan State, NW India. The region has an old quarrying history, dating back to the use of sandstone in the fourth century temples in Mandor, eighth century Osian Temple Complex (also called as Khajuraho of Rajasthan for its intricate carvings in sandstone) and several historic monuments, such as Mandore Fort, Royal Tombs at Mandore Garden, Mehrangarh Fort, Clock Tower, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace, etc. Several present day institutions/corporate houses of national eminence, such as the Rajasthan High Court, Indian Institute of Technology (Jodhpur), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (Jodhpur), Umaid Heritage Residential Complex and Hotel Radisson (Jodhpur) etc. exemplify continued use of Jodhpur Sandstone in contemporary times. Buildings of the Karachi Municipal Corporation and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in southern Pakistan attest to the international usage of Jodhpur Sandstone. The Jodhpur Sandstone can be classified as ‘quartz arenite’ comprising rounded to sub-rounded quartz grains with ferruginous cement. Its mature, mineralogy and moderate to high endurance, resistance to weathering, etc., render it suitable for intricate carving. Owing to these characteristics and its aesthetic appeal, it is used in a range of artefacts and handicrafts within India and overseas. The Jodhpur Sandstone fulfils the criteria laid down by the Heritage Stone Sub-commission for designation as a Global Heritage Stone Resource and we propose a case for its consideration and accreditation as a Global Heritage Stone Resource from India.

THE EFFECT OF GEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF DIMENSION STONES ON THE PREDICTION OF SPECIFIC ENERGY (SE) DURING DIAMOND WIRE CUTTING OPERATIONS

Given the increasing demand for dimension stones, mining operations in quarries have always been an important branch of mining engineering. Among different techniques, diamond wire cutting is one of the most common methods of dimension stone mining. A reliable assessment and accurate prediction of diamond wire cutting performance are essential for feasibility analysis and operational planning in this area. This performance depends on factors such as physical, mechanical, and textural properties of the rock and the characteristics of cutting operations which can be evaluated by criteria such as specific energy, production rate, efficiency, and diamond bead wear rate. This study aims to develop a method for predicting the specific energy of diamond wire cutting in dimension stones based on rock properties. For this purpose, the specific energy of diamond wire cutting in 11 different igneous rock samples was measured. Given the high strength and abrasivity of igneous rocks, cutting operations in these rocks generally requires a great amount of energy. In a series of tests performed on the samples, rock properties such as uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), Brazilian tensile strength (BTS), Young’s modulus, density, textural properties, abrasivity and operating factors such as pullback amperage were measured. The measured parameters were divided into four groups of physical, mechanical, textural, and operating parameters. After determining the specific cutting energy of each sample, the relationship of the energy with each individual property was investigated. This investigation showed that density, abrasivity, and p-wave velocity respectively had the highest correlation with specific energy. Using the correlation results, four input parameters (one from each of the four considered parameter groups) were selected for inclusion in the prediction model. These parameters were density, abrasivity, wave velocity, and amperage. Multivariate linear regression was then used to analyse the effect of rock properties and operating parameters on specific energy. The developed regression model showed that once the rock properties are known, the specific energy can be predicted with an accuracy of 85.8%. The proposed model can be used to estimate the specific energy of diamond wire cutting operations in dimension stone quarries in advance, and predict the amount of energy consumption, the required energy source, and the optimal cutting machine accordingly.

Cement Resources, Agrominerals, Construction, Marble, Dimension and Decor Stone Resources, Gemstone and Jewelry Resources of Pakistan

Large deposits of cement raw material and resources like limestone, gypsum and shales/clays found from the Koh Sulaiman area of South Punjab (Saraikistan) and Balochistan Provinces, Pakistan. The installation of cement industries especially in South Punjab/Saraikistan Province due to close occurrences of resources should develop the area and increase the export. The Koh Sulaiman regions of South Punjab (Saraikistan) have huge gypsum deposits which deserve for further exploitation. Pakistan is agricultural country and fertility of cultivated lands is vital. Fertilizer resources like phosphate deposits are moderate but the deposits of phosphate and potash bearing rocks are very vast and need their further explorations and exploitation in the Indus Basin. Pakistan has very large construction, dimension and decor stone deposits like limestone, marble, dolomite and igneous rocks like granite, dolerite, serpentine, etc. which needs further exploitation for the development of the areas and increase export. Pakistan is spending a lot of earnings for importing glass, glass wares, pottery, clay, etc. while Pakistan has these resources which needs exploitation of own resources. The best structures and geotectonic elements like the Northern and Western Indus Sutures and Karakoram Suture and Indus placers which are rich in gemstones and jewelry resources. To increase gems and jewelry export, these industries requires reduction in gemstones smuggling and encouragement for gem appraisal and jewelry industry at high level for value addition. In short, Pakistan is rich in natural resources but poor in development. Try should be made to develop and export the own mineral commodities like cement, gypsum, marble, gemstones and jewelry.

Chapter 9 Mineral resources and prospectivity of non-ultramafic rocks of New Caledonia

Abstract The mineral resources of the non-ultramafic rocks of New Caledonia and its Exclusive Economic Zone can be classified according to their host rocks. The metallic mineral resources are essentially associated with volcanic and magmatic activity. Non-economic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits with Cu and Au are located in the Late Carboniferous Koh Ophiolite and in the Late Cretaceous Poya Terrane. Base metals, Au and Ag of the sedimentary–exhalative type are present in the metamorphic Diahot-Panié Metamorphic Complex, associated with syn-rift volcanism. An Au–Sb metallogenic province is associated with the post-obduction Late Oligocene granitoids and co-genetic hydrothermal silica–carbonate (listwanite) zones in the Peridotite Nappe; Au is disseminated in the granites and Sb occurs as lodes in the silica–carbonate. Among the non-metallic mineral resources, barite, gypsum, magnesite, phosphate, clays, dimension stones, limestone for use as cement and as a neutralizer, and aggregates are all present. Gemstones such as jade and chrysoprase are only used locally. Late Cretaceous coal, which was briefly exploited in the past, is now considered to be a source rock for an offshore potential oil and gas system. Petroleum prospectivity is currently focused on the Fairway Basin. Several low-enthalpy thermo-mineral springs with a weak geothermal energy potential are known on Grande Terre.

A method for radiologically evaluating indoor use of dimension stone considering radon exhalation rates

Background: The use of natural radioactive building materials could be a health risk for both dwellers and mining workers. Therefore, a quick and effective method to test batches of rock samples is needed. Nevertheless, there is no reference value for maximum exhalation rates for building materials, except radiological hazard indices that do not measure gas exhalation rates directly. Objectives: This article investigated the correlations between Gamma Index and radon and thoron exhalation rates, and the proportions of radon and thoron in samples. Moreover, the main objectives were to analyze the feasibility of screening problematic samples for indoor use through a portable radiation detector (CoMo 170), which consists of a quick analysis at very low cost, and to simulate indoor concentration of radon using the measured exhalation rates of dimension stone slabs. Design: Best-selling dimension stone slabs were submitted to the following assays: gamma spectrometry, radon and thoron exhalation analysis using scintillation cell, and radioactivity measurement using a portable detector. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were conducted using Statistica 13 software. Results: The average activity concentrations measured were 971 ± 58.6 Bq/kg of 40K, 184 ± 9 Bq/kg of 232Th, and 74 ± 3 Bq/kg of 226Ra. The maximum activity concentrations of 40K, 232Th, and 226Ra series were 1,734 ± 100 Bq/kg, 2,667 ± 109 Bq/kg, and 596 ± 2 Bq/kg, respectively. The average exhalation rate of 222Rn was 406 ± 20 Bq/h m2. Conclusions: The main recommendations arising from this study are as follows: a portable radiation detector (CoMo 170) could be used as a screening method for selected samples; Gamma Index limit value = 1 for dimension stone slabs could be adopted when assessing radon and thoron exhalation; and the surface radon exhalation rate should be measured as a basis of recommendation for surface treatment before sales. Finally, thoron exhalations should be considered in radiological assessment, as 57% of the samples had higher thoron exhalation rates than radon.

Effect of carbonation on the mechanical and durability properties of sandstone modified self-compacting concrete

Sandstone is one of the most used dimensional stone in the construction industry. Rajasthan is producing More than 90% of sandstone from all over India. Eastern Rajasthan is one of the dominant areas where sandstone waste was obtained and used in this study. This stone waste was produced during the shaping of sandstone and due to very fine particle size, this waste was named as sandstone slurry (SS). Excessive open dumping of stone waste creates environmental pollution through air and water, which also need to be addressed. This study aims to utilise sandstone waste in the concrete sector as an alternative building material. In this research work, Pozzolana Portland Cement (PPC) was partially replaced by SS at a percentage of 0, 10, 20 and 30. Rheological properties were tested to determine the flowability and viscosity of concrete mixes. To evaluate the effect of carbonation concrete specimens were carbonated. Compressive, splitting tensile strength and rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT) was conducted on the carbonated sample (CS) as well as a non-carbonated sample (NCS). The impact of CO2 concentrations was also determined by performing accelerated carbonation test. The test results revealed that carbonation enhances the compressive and splitting tensile strength properties of concrete by reducing pore structures. The depth of chloride penetration of CS is less as compared to NCS. However, accelerated carbonation displayed an increased depth of carbonation.

Cockeysville marble: a heritage stone from Maryland, USA

Abstract By virtue of its use in iconic monuments and historic buildings in the USA, Cockeysville marble, a dolomitic to calcitic lower Paleozoic (Cambrian/Ordovician) marble quarried in Baltimore County and adjacent areas in Maryland, is proposed as a potential Global Heritage Stone Resource. The most important use of this stone was for the Washington Monument in Washington, DC whose construction began in 1848; the second most important use was for the 108 columns of the United States Capitol's wings, completed in 1868. It was also used for two of the oldest major marble monuments in the USA, Baltimore's Battle Monument (dedicated in 1827) and Washington Monument (completed in 1829), as well as Baltimore's City Hall, Buffalo's Adkins Art Museum, Detroit's Fisher Building and parts of St Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. During the nineteenth century white Cockeysville was most desired, but a colourful variety, Mar Villa marble, was also used in the first decades of the twentieth century. Cockeysville marble is no longer quarried for dimension stone. All Cockeysville used outdoors has weathered to a lesser or great extent, but early testing indicating that the dolomitic marble would be more durable has proved to be true.

INVESTIGATING A COMPREHENSIVE MODEL FOR EVALUATING OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS OF DIMENSIONAL STONE MINING

One of the most hazardous fields of engineering is mining operations and accordingly, it requires extra consideration on risk evaluation. Decorative stone quarrying is one of the main branches of the mining industry in Iran. Currently, Iran, China and Italy are known as the three main producers of decorative stones in the world. Subsequently, risk assessment is one of the main steps of quarrying organization. One of the main steps of risk assessment is Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS). In order to achieve this goal, a comprehensive structure of dimensional stone quarrying is modelled in this re- search and divided into 17 main levels. One of the most useful procedures of risk ranking is Multi attribute decision- making methods which state that they have numerous affecting parameters. In the next step of this study, the main hazards of main decorative stone quarrying are assessed by implementing the ‘Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation’ (PROMETHEE) technique. As a final point, Economical, Management, and Schedule risks are determined as the most intimidating hazards in this field.

Environmental impacts, management and potential recovery of residual sludge from the stone industry: The piedmont case

The management of residual sludge from dimension stone processing activities (EWC 010,413) represents a large concern for stone industry. Such sludges are characterised by a fine size distribution, high heavy metal contents and, potentially, TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon) contents. The objects of the present study are represented by gang-saw with abrasive shot (GSS), diamond frame-saw (DSS) and mixed (MS) sludges. The first one is high in Cr, Ni, Cu and TPH, the second presents high contents in Co, Cr and TPH, and the third represents a mix of the first two ones. Present legislation indicates that they can be disposed of in landfills or can be recovered (R5-R10) as filling material for environmental rehabilitation or as feeding materials for cement production.The sampled materials were obtained from the Verbano Cusio Ossola (VCO) and Luserna Stone quarry basins (Piedmont, Northern Italy). These materials were physically and chemically characterised, and magnetic separation was performed to rapidly evaluate the heavy metal contents in the sludge. Afterwards, three different experiments were carried out for environmental and civil applications. The first one, for substrate production, was carried out using GSS, DSS and MS from VCO area. The second one, for CLSM and plaster production, was performed on materials from VCO and Luserna stone quarry basins (CLSM using GSS from VCO and plaster using DSS from Luserna stone quarry basin). The results here reported are promising for the three applications.

UTILIZAÇÃO DA PROGRESSÃO ARITMÉTICA DO COEFICIENTE DE CORRELAÇÃO DE PEARSON PARA PREVISÃO DA DESCARACTERIZAÇÃO SUPERFICIAL DE ROCHAS ORNAMENTAIS.

No envelhecimento acelerado de rochas ornamentais em câmara saturada em SO2, as interações físico-químicas têm o objetivo de simular a exposição das mesmas às chuvas ácidas. As presenças de SO2, de H2O, somadas à incidência de radiação solar (externa) permitem a formação fotoquímica do ácido sulfúrico (H2SO4) e a correlação entre as digitalizações das superfícies dos corpos de prova, antes e após as exposições ao H2SO4, propicia a análise da evolução das alterações causadas. A estimativa do tempo gasto, em anos, para que as alterações descaracterizem totalmente a aparência estética da superfície das amostras é feita com a progressão aritmética do coeficiente de correlação linear de Pearson (r) que permite, quando igual a 0 (zero), afirmar a inexistência de correlação entre imagens de amostras submetidas ao ensaio e suas imagens originais ao natural. Os resultados apontam o Butterfly Gold como o mais susceptível à descaracterização estética superficial (3,08 anos), seguido do Butterfly Green (3,91 anos) e do Butterfly Beige (16,03 anos). Ressalta-se que a descaracterização não implica, necessariamente, em alteração ou comprometimento estrutural ou físico-mecânico da rocha. A concentração do gás na câmara (25 ppm) foi superelevada propositalmente para acelerar o processo de deterioração. É importante lembrar que a câmara simula as condições climáticas em fluxo praticamente contínuo necessitando o pesquisador, para as interpretações, considerar a concentração de SO2 na atmosfera, a duração das estações chuvosas, a incidência de chuvas ácidas e suas intensidades ao longo de um ano nos diferentes territórios. As previsões aqui realizadas não são impeditivos para aplicação destes materiais em ambientes externos nem tampouco internos, pois procedimentos usuais de limpeza podem ser perfeitamente aplicados para conservação dos mesmos.

Heritage stones in India

Abstract India has a great variety of natural stones that have been extensively used as dimension, ornamental and sculptural stone for numerous temples and monuments over many centuries. These temples and monuments, now heritage sites, have a major role in showcasing India's natural stone resources that occur in diverse geological formations of different geological systems across the Indian subcontinent. The formations contain a variety of stone, with colours and textures produced by varied geological processes thus providing a storehouse of diverse stone resources. This paper outlines four potential Global Heritage Stone Provinces where natural stones have been used in heritage monuments: the North and Northwestern Province, the Central and Western Peninsular Province, the Southern Peninsular Province and the Eastern and Northeastern Province. The geotechnical and aesthetic characteristics of the stones, and their response to weathering are discussed.

Mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete containing sandstone slurry

India embraces wide variety of dimensional stones. It includes granite, marble, sandstone, limestone and slate. Amid all the states, Rajasthan is known as mineral majestic of India, with an abundance of important stones. Rajasthan produces more than 90% of sandstone of all over the country. The total quantity of mined out sandstone is 200.27 million tons per year, out of which 110.25 million tons are accounted as waste during various manufacturing and processing stages of sandstone. An experimental work has been conducted to manufacture self-compacting concrete (SCC) with dry sandstone slurry (DSS) and study the properties of SCC. Seven SCC mixes have been prepared with various percentages of sandstone slurry (i.e. 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 percent) as partial replacement of pozzolana portland cement (PPC). Compressive, flexure and tensile strength of all SCC mixes up to 180 days curing age and abrasion resistance after 28 days curing age have been found out and presented in this paper. The conclusion of this study draws an idea about the use of SCC mixes made with DSS are in favor of using DSS up to 10% for reinforced cement concrete work and up to 20% for plain cement concrete work.

An Experimental Investigation on the Role of Coolant and Lubricant Fluids in the Maximum Electrical Current Based upon the Rock Physical and Mechanical Properties

The increase of productivity and reduction of expenses are the most important incentive factors for investors in the dimension stone’s industry. The consumed electrical current is one of the most influential factors in the productivity and expenses. Therefore, study of the factors influencing the reduction of the maximum consumed electrical current and evaluation of the rock cutting process have a significant role in the planning, increase of productivity and reduction of expenses. In the present study, three granite stone samples were selected as hard rocks and prepared from Iranian quarries, and the laboratory experiments were done to measure the physical and mechanical properties of the stones. In addition, three coolant and lubricant fluids including water and two types of soap water with ratios of 1 to 40 and 1 to 20 were selected for determining their effects on the maximum electrical current consumed by the machine. Cutting tests were done based on three different cutting depths and totally 27 tests were done for three fluids and the maximum electrical current consumed in each test was measured and tested. In this study, the investigations and analyses of the laboratory results were done using the statistical analysis. The results obtained from the research showed that soap water with ratios of 1 to 40 had the maximum effect and productivity on the process of reducing the consumed electrical current compared to other fluids under study. Also, the range of consumed electrical current’s change was reduced with the reduction of physical and mechanical properties.