BASIC CIVIL

ENGINEERING

Stones and Rocks

 Rocks
 A rock is group of
minerals bound
together.
 The three types of
rocks are igneous,
sedimentary, and
metamorphic.
 Igneous Rocks
 Igneous Rocks forms
when lava or magma
cools down and
hardens.
 Igneous word is from
the “Latin” meaning
“Fire formed”.
 Its a rock type that
forms from the
solidification of a molten
mineral solution.
 BROAD CLASSIFICATION OF IGNEOUS ROCKS

Volcanic rocks Intermediate rocks Plutonic rocks

(Extrusive rocks) (Hypabyssal rocks) (Intrusive
-Lava or Magma rocks)
flows -dykes, sills,
-Pyroclastic flows batholiths,
laccoliths etc.
Classification of Igneous Rocks
 Intrusive (Plutonic) rocks form inside the
Earth (underground) when magma cools
slowly to create large crystals.
○ (Intrusive = Inside)

 Extrusive (Volcanic) rocks form on the

Earth’s surface (above ground) when lava
cools quickly to create small crystals.
○ (Extrusive = Exit/outside)
Which is which? How do you know?

Intrusive: Large Extrusive: Small

crystals
crystals
Igneous Rocks
 There are two types of magma

1. Felsic = Light color, high in silica, viscous

(thick and slow), low in iron, calcium or
magnesium
Felsic = Feldspar + Silica

2. Mafic = Dark color, low in silica, not viscous

(thin and watery), high in iron, calcium and
magnesium
Mafic = Magnesium + Iron (Fe)
Which is which? How do you know?

Felsic: Light overall Mafic: Dark overall

color
color
Igneous Rocks
Let’s try some examples, tell me if the
following rock samples are:

1. Felsic or Mafic
2. Fine grained or Coarse grained
3. Intrusive or Extrusive

Be sure to tell me how you knew.

Basalt
Mafic = Dark
color
Fine grained=
Small crystals
Extrusive =
Small crystals =
Formed on
surface
Diorite
Felsic = Light
color
Coarse grained=
Large crystals
Intrusive = Large
crystals = Formed
underground
Gabbro
Mafic = Dark
color

Coarse grained=
Large crystals

Intrusive =
Large crystals =
formed
underground
Pumice Felsic = Light
color

Fine grained=
Small crystals

Extrusive = Small
crystals = Formed
above ground
Scoria Mafic = Dark
color

Fine grained=
Small crystals

Extrusive =
Small crystals =
Formed above
ground
Sedimentary Rocks
 Rocks get weathered into loose material
by action of water, wind, intense hot
weather.
 Moved by action of wind, water and ice
to ultimately be deposited to a favorable
place.
 Material so deposited finally change to
rock, by action of pressure
Lithification
Sedimentary Rocks
Sediments

Deposition

Transport

Erosion

Weathering

Lithification (Lithos :-”Rock”): the process in which sediments compact under

pressure, expel connate fluids, and gradually become solid rock.
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
 These are rocks formed at great
depths under the action of severe
heat and pressure on igneous,
sedimentary and other metamorphic
rocks.
Metamorphic Rocks
 Shale  Slates
Metamorphic Rocks
 sandstone  Quartizite
Metamorphic Rocks
 Limestone  Marble
Physical Classification Of Rocks
 Stratified Rock
shows planes of cleavage along which they
can be easily split. Ex: Sedimentary Rocks
 Unstratified Rock

Do not have strata or separate layers.

Ex: Igneous Rocks
 Foliated Rock

Show parallel layers of platy minerals like

mica with bands of different minerals between
them.
Chemical Classification of Rock
 Siliceous Rocks:- Predominant mineral
is silica. Generally strong and hard. Ex:-
Granite, sandstone, gneiss.
 Argillaceous Rocks:- Alumina (Clay) as
principal constituent. Strong and hard
but brittle. Ex:- Slate, laterite.
 Calcareous Rock:- calcium carbonate as
principal constituent. Ex:- marble,
limestone.
Characteristics Of Good Stones
 Structure:- for building stone unstratified “igneous”
rocks are good. Stratified rock tend to split along the
plane of strata.
 Appearance:- The Color and texture of stone contribute
to the appearance of the face work in structure.
 Weight or Denseness:- a heavy stone is compact with
little porosity and such stones contribute to structure
ability.
 Fineness of Grains:- For Molding and carving works
fine grained stones are very suitable.
 Durability:- A good building stone should be durable or
long lasting.
Characteristics Of Good Stones
 Strength:-A stone for building works should have
crushing strength not less than 100N/mm2.
 Hardness:- Stones should offer resistance against
wear and tear
 Facility of working or Dressing:-Stones for
buildings must be such that they can be cut to
required size and dressed.
 Fire Resistance:-stones must maintain their
strength and compactness when exposed to fire.
 Seasoning:- Freshly cut stones contain moisture
due to which they are relatively soft and not fit for
building work, but good for dressing and carvings.
Few Important Rocks
Granite
 An Igneous Rock consisting for
feldspar, quartz and mica.
 Its an excellent building stone.
 It has very good strength and
appearance.
 Crushing Strength of 100 to 150
N/mm2.
 High resistance to weathering.
 It can take fine polishing.
Few Important Rocks
Basalt
 An Igneous Rock.
 Very Hard and Tough.
 Does not allow itself to be
easily worked.
 Very high compressive
strength.
 Good for foundation work
and road masonry.
Few Important Rocks
Gneiss
 A Metamorphic Rock.
 Can be split into slabs.
 Allows itself to be easily
worked.
 Good for rough masonry
work.
Few Important Rocks
Laterite
 A Metamorphic Rock
having porous structure.
 Easy quarrying in blocks.
 Founds in different colors.
 Good for building stones,
road metal and stone
masonry rock.
Few Important Rocks
Limestone
 A Sedimentary Rock.
 Main content calcium
carbonate.
 Important raw material in
manufacturing of lime and
cement.
 Used in roofing, paving
and flooring. Also used as
road metal.
Artificial Stones
 Reconstructed stones are used when natural
stones are very costly or not available.
 Cement Concrete:- It is made by mixing cement,
fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and water. It
is called R.C.C. or reinforced cement concrete.
 Mosaic Tiles:- These are precast tiles whose
upper surface has marble chips.
 Terrazzo:- this is made from a mixture cement
and marble chips. Mainly used in bath rooms,
houses.