---
title: "Why and where stone is preferred"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:stone-preferred-engineering"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/stone-preferred-engineering
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Why and where stone is preferred

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 2: Building Stones

- Asked in: 2081 Kartik (new course), 3 marks; 2080 Bhadra, 2 marks; 2080 Baisakh, 2 marks (asked 3 times)
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/stone-preferred-engineering
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-2

## Question

Explain why and where the use of stone is preferred in engineering constructions (benefits of natural stone as building material).

## Short answer

Stone is preferred for its high compressive strength, durability, low maintenance, natural appearance, local availability in hilly regions, and thermal comfort. It is used in foundations, walls, retaining structures, bridge piers, road aggregates, flooring, and decorative cladding.

## Answer

Stone is a natural building material taken directly from rock. It is preferred when strength, durability and good appearance are needed with low maintenance.

#### Benefits of natural stone
- **Strong and durable:** high compressive strength and long life (granite, basalt).
- **Hard and resistant to weather**, fire (to a degree), insects and rot.
- **Low maintenance**, since it needs no paint.
- **Pleasing appearance:** natural colour and texture, can be polished and carved.
- **Locally available** in hilly Nepal, so cheap and easy to obtain.
- **Heavy**, giving stability to retaining structures.
- **Thermal comfort:** stone walls keep buildings cool in summer and warm in winter.

#### Where it is preferred
- Foundations and masonry walls of buildings in hilly areas.
- Retaining walls, check dams, gabion walls, bridge piers and abutments, and river training works.
- Road aggregates, ballast for railways and concrete aggregate.
- Flooring, steps, facing and cladding (marble, granite, slate).
- Roof covering (slate), kerbs, paving, monuments and decorative work.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What thermal benefit do stone walls give?
   A. Hot in summer and cold in winter
   B. Cool in summer and warm in winter
   C. No insulation at all
   D. They conduct heat rapidly
   Answer: B. Stone's thermal mass gives comfort in both seasons. (Key point: Thermal comfort)

2. Why is stone preferred for retaining walls and bridge abutments?
   A. It is light and easy to lift
   B. It is cheap in the plains only
   C. It is heavy, giving stability, and is strong and durable
   D. It needs frequent painting
   Answer: C. Its weight gives stability and it resists weathering. (Key point: Retaining structures)

3. Compared with other materials, stone needs:
   A. High maintenance with repainting
   B. Yearly plastering
   C. Regular termite treatment
   D. Low maintenance since it needs no paint
   Answer: D. Stone is durable and needs no paint. (Key point: Maintenance)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Natural bed of stone and its importance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Anatural-bed-stone-importance) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 2, asked 8×
- [Dressing of stone and its purpose](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Adressing-of-stone-purpose) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 2, asked 5×
- [Methods of preserving stone](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Apreservation-of-stone) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 2, asked 4×
- [Deterioration and preservation of stone](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Adeterioration-preservation-stone) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 2, asked 2×
- [Why alloy steels are preferred](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Awhy-alloy-steels-preferred) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 8
- [Why tar is preferred in parking lots](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Atar-parking-lot) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10

## Related in other subjects

- [Material wastage standard and value engineering](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Awastage-standard-ve) — Construction Management, chapter 3
- [Value engineering in material procurement](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Avalue-engineering-procurement) — Construction Management, chapter 3, asked 3×
- [Types of stone masonry](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Astone-masonry-types) — Building Technology, chapter 3, asked 5×
- [Tile hanging versus stone cladding](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Atile-hanging-stone-cladding) — Building Technology, chapter 9