3.

STONE TYPES AND USE

 ROCKS
are divided into three types

IGNEOUS Igneous rocks are formed through the cooling and

solidification of magma or lava.

SEDIMENTARY Sedimentary rocks are types of rock that are formed by the
accumulation or deposition of mineral or organic particles
at Earth's surface, followed by cementation. The particles
that form a sedimentary rock are called sediment, and may
be composed of geological detritus (minerals) or
biological detritus (organic matter). The geological detritus
originated from weathering and erosion of existing rocks,
or from the solidification of molten lava blobs erupted by
volcanoes. Biological detritus was formed by bodies and
parts (mainly shells) of dead aquatic organisms.

METAMORPHIC Metamorphic rocks arise from the transformation of

existing rock to new types of rock. The original rock
(protolith) is subjected to temperatures greater than 150 to
200°C and, often, elevated pressure of 100 megapascals
(1,000 bar) or more, causing profound physical or
chemical changes. During this process, the rock remains
mostly in the solid state, but gradually recrystallizes to a
new texture or mineral composition. The protolith may be
an igneous, sedimentary, or existing metamorphic rock.
 IGNEOUS ROCKS
General characteristics

Most dense (i.e., heaviest)

Strongest

Hardest superficial strength

Most abundant in the world

 Igneous rocks
Example 1

GRANITE (화강암)

Density 2,650~2,750 kg/m3

Strength (compression) 1,300~1800 kg/cm2
Superficial hardness (Mohs scale)* 6~7
Water adsorption** less than 1% (good
waterproof)
Color / Appearance color depends on the
existence of other minerals. It has a grainy
texture

* The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a qualitative

ordinal scale, from 1 to 10, characterizing scratch
resistance of minerals through the ability of harder
material to scratch softer material.
** Water Absorption (%) = [(Weight after immersion -
Dry weight) / Dry weight] * 100
 Important:
The tensile strength of stones is much lower than their compressive strength, unlike
other materials we will discuss, such as metals. For this reason, their most suitable
structural application is in compression
For example
Granite:
Compressive strength: from 1,300 to 1,800 kg/cm2 on average.
Tensile strength: from 70 to 150 kg/cm2

Average structural steel:

Compressive strength/tensile strength: from 3,400 to 8,000 kg/cm2

Left: Broken
architrave subjected
to tensile load

Right: Arch.
Each stone is
subjected to
compressive load
Some types of granite
The names may vary according to the country, the quarry, the manufacturer, etc.
The construction world is not very "scientific" in cataloging building stones. Often,
stones are simply categorized according to their color, their texture, etc.

Examples from a manufacturer’s website (Source: Bob’s Granite Place)

 Uses
Structural

Seoul Fortress Wall (Naksan Park)

 Façade cladding

Bank of Korea Money Museum

Paving
Interior cladding (floors and walls)
Countertops
 Igneous rocks
Example 2

BASALT (현무암)

Density 2,900 kg/m3

Strength (compression) up to 1,800kg/cm2
Superficial hardness (Mohs scale) 6
Water adsorption 1~3% (good but less
waterproof than granite)
Color / Appearance color is dark grey/black.
Fine grain texture. It can have a vesicular
texture
돌 하르방 in Jeju island
 Uses
Structural

Ursino castle, Catania, Italy, 14th c.

 Façade cladding

Seung _ Atelier, House in Siheung

Flooring, paving
 SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
General characteristics

Least dense (i.e., lightest)

Least strong

Softest superficial strength

Easy to work and sculpt

 Sedimentary rocks
Example 1

SANDSTONE (사암)

Density 2,000~2,600 kg/m3

Strength (compression) 300~1300 kg/cm2
Superficial hardness (Mohs scale) 3
Water adsorption up to 10% (bad
waterproof)
Color / Appearance It can have different
colors. It has sand sized grain
Different types of sandstone (the names may vary according to the quarry, the
manufacturer, etc.)
 Uses
Structural / decorative

Alhambra, Granada, Spain, from 1238

 Structural / decorative

Filippo Brunelleschi, San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy, from 1419

 Façade cladding

Alvaro Siza, International Design Museum of China, Hangzhou, China