- 2080 Bhadra · 4 marks
Properties of granite, limestone, shale, marble
Short answer
Granite is coarse, hard, strong (100-250 MPa), used for foundations and aggregate. Limestone (hardness 3, fizzes in HCl, 30-150 MPa) is used for cement but may have cavities. Shale is fissile, weak (5-40 MPa), slakes, poor foundation. Marble is crystalline, takes polish, 60-140 MPa, used for flooring.
Describe the physical properties with engineering uses of granite, limestone, shale and marble.
| Rock | Physical properties | Engineering properties | Engineering uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granite (igneous) | Coarse-grained; pink, grey, white; SG 2.6-2.8; hard | Compressive strength 100-250 MPa; porosity under 1%; durable; takes polish; jointed | Foundations, dam sites, bridge piers, building and dressing stone, aggregate, ballast |
| Limestone (sedimentary) | Fine to coarse; grey, white; hardness 3; fizzes in HCl; SG 2.5-2.8 | Strength 30-150 MPa; soluble, forms cavities, leakage risk | Cement, lime, aggregate, building stone, flooring, flux |
| Shale (sedimentary) | Very fine, thin layers (fissile); grey, black, red; soft, SG 2.3-2.7 | Low strength (5-40 MPa); slakes, swells, slippery when wet | Brick and tile clay, cement raw material; poor foundation, unsuitable aggregate |
| Marble (metamorphic) | Crystalline, sugary, white or coloured; hardness 3-4; SG 2.7; fizzes in HCl | Strength 60-140 MPa; takes high polish; soluble in acid | Flooring, cladding, statues, decorative stone, lime |
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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