3.

3 Metamorphic Rocks
Introduction
• Metamorphic rocks are formed from older rocks when
they are subjected to increased temperature, pressure
and shearing stress at considerable depth in the
earth’s crust.
• It occurs at T and P higher than 200oC and 300 MPa. 
• Rocks can be subjected to these higher temperatures
and pressures as they are  buried deeper in the Earth. 
• The upper limit of metamorphism occurs at the P and
T where melting of the rock begins. 
• Once melting begins, the process changes to an
igneous process rather than a metamorphic process.
Continued

Agents of Metamorphism
Heat
Uniform pressure is due to the weight of the overlying
rocks
Directed pressure or stress
Chemically active fluids and gases
Grade of metamorphism
Metamorphic grade is a general term for describing
the relative temperature and pressure conditions
under which metamorphic rocks form.
Low-grade metamorphism
takes place at temperatures between about 200
to 320oC, and relatively low pressure.  Ex slate,
schist
High-grade metamorphism
takes place at temperatures greater than 320oC
and relatively high pressure.  Ex Gneiss, Quartizite
Metamorphic process
The processes which operate in metamorphism are:
Granulation
Plastic deformation
Recrytalization
Structure of Metamorphic Rocks
There are 4 main geological structure in metamorphic
rocks
1. Cataclastic structure
2. Slaty structure is caused due to the parallel
orientation of flaky minerals, mainly micas and
chlorite
3. Schistose structure is caused by the alignment of
minerals in parallel layers
4 . Gneissose structure of the segregation of light
and dark minerals into alternate bands.
 Types Of Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic rocks divided into two major groups based on
presence or absence of foliation. These are:
• Foliated rocks (schist, gneiss , slate, phylite)
• Non-foliated ( marble, quartzite, hornfels)
Foliation is parallel alignment of platy or flaky minerals in
metamorphic rock

Some of the metamorphic rocks are

• Slate: is a dark colored exceedingly fine grained low grade
metamorphic rocks formed from metamorphosed shale .
• Schist : are coarse grained metamorphic rocks which
show well developed foliation or schistocity along
which the rock may be easily broken it is formed
from metamorphism of of basic igneous rocks.
 
Gneiss: is a coarse grained, irregularly banded metamorphic

rock.

Granite Gneiss
Quartzite: is a hard, dense, siliceous metamorphic rock
derived from high grade metamorphism of sandstone.

Sand stone Quartzite

Marble: is a metamorphic rock derived as a result of metamorphism
of limestone .They are generally white, but various impurities may
create a wide range of colors such as pink, yellow, grey green and
black .
Lime Stone Marble
 Rock Cycle
 
• The rock cycle shows the relationship between the three
types of rocks.
• One type of rock changes slowly into another type.
• Erosion produces sediment which is transported and
deposited into deep basins under the sea.
• Then it hardens to form sedimentary rocks.
• If these rocks are deeply buried, the temperature and
pressure turn them into metamorphic rocks.
• Intense heat at great depths melts metamorphic rocks and
produces magma.
• The magma may rise up and reach the earth’s surface
where it cools to form igneous at the surface igneous rocks
are exposed to weathering and erosion and the cycle
begins again
Rock Cycle
To summarize…
 Engineering Use of Rocks
Rocks are significant for two major reasons in civil
engineering works:
As building materials for constructions.

As foundations on which the constructions are

setting.
1. Rock as construction material

Parameters required for consideration of rocks as

construction material are:
Density

Strength

Durability

workability
I. Dimension stone/Building stone
Dimension stone is natural rock material
quarried for the purpose of obtaining blocks or
slabs that meet specifications
Color, grain texture and pattern, and surface
finish of the stone are also normal requirements.
Durability, strength, and the ability of the stone
to take a polish are other important selection
criteria.
Although a variety of igneous, metamorphic,
and sedimentary rocks are used as dimension
stone, the principal rock types are granite,
limestone, marble, sandstone, and slate.
II. Crushed stone (for road fill, dams and riprap)

Gradation, strength and durability of the stone are

the main requirements.
 Basalt

 Granite

 Limestone (Needs to be pure)

Are good for crushed stone.
 III. Concrete Aggregate

The demands for aggregate are usually defined in terms of

size, shape, gradation and mechanical strength property.

Material should also be clean, poorly sorted and stable.

 Good rocks for concrete aggregate are: basalt, granite,

clean sandstone, lime stone(fine grained)

 Reactive (bad) rocks: siliceous rock (chert, opal),

rhyolite, andesite, shale, tuff, sulfide-bearing rocks

and phyllite.
Continued
This material react with the alkalis during the
setting of portland cement concrete, causing
extreme cracking and severe structural damage.
Solutions include:
Can be used in low alkali cement;
Non‐reactive aggregates go with the high alkali
cement;
Add pozzolana, coal‐ashes, etc. in the aggregate‐
cement mixture to minimize the reaction.
IV Cement, Lime and plaster
Rocks used for Cement, lime and plaster are:
 Slightly impure limestone
 Coral

 Gypsum
 V. ceramics, glass & abrasives
Different Clay minerals  
Kaolinite (China clay) - used for paper, paint,
plastic, etc.
Bentonite (Na-rich montmorillonite) for drilling
mud and sealer
Vermiculite is a natural mineral which expands
with the application of heat. It is formed by
hydration of certain basaltic rock.
 2. Rock as foundation material
For consideration of rocks as a foundation the parameters
required are:
Density
Strength
Compressibility
permeability
Continued
- Most of igneous and metamorphic rocks are good for
foundation.
- Sinkhole, solution cavities, and channels are main
problems in carbonate, gypsum and anhydrite rock due to
the high dissolvability of limestone and dolomite which
results in subsidence.
- For metamorphic rocks the stability and strength of rock
mass is greatly affected by the foliation orientation.
- Marble as a metamorphic rock formed from carbonate
sedimentary rocks can cause similar problems like lime
stone.
- The performance of the rock, under these conditions
depends upon physical and mechanical properties of the
rock.