---
title: "Engineering significance of marble"
subject: "Engineering Geology I"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_3/engineering_geology_i:engineering-significance-of-marble"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/engineering-significance-of-marble
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Engineering significance of marble

Engineering Geology I · Chapter 4: Petrology

- Asked in: 2068 Baisakh, 1 marks
- Video: ["Marble Rock Explained | Formation, Properties & Uses of Marble"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TstAXPfh5BI) — On the earth
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/engineering-significance-of-marble
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/chapter-4

## Question

Mention any two civil engineering significances of marble.

## Short answer

Marble is valued as a decorative stone for flooring, cladding, and monuments due to its ease of cutting, carving, and high polish. Crushed marble is used as aggregate in terrazzo and as a source of lime, but it is not suitable for external use in acidic environments.

## Answer

1. Marble is a decorative building stone: because it is relatively soft, easy to cut and carve, and takes a high polish, it is used for flooring, wall cladding, steps, columns and monuments.
2. Crushed marble is used as aggregate in terrazzo flooring and, being calcite-rich, as a source of lime. (Being soluble in acids, it is not suitable for exposed use in polluted areas.)

## Check yourself

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

1. Why is marble used as decorative stone?
   A. It is soft, fine grained and takes a high polish
   B. It is extremely hard
   C. It is non-calcareous
   D. It is highly porous
   Answer: A. These properties allow flooring, cladding and sculpture. (Key point: Marble decorative use)

2. Crushed marble is used in terrazzo and as a source of what?
   A. Silica
   B. Lime, because it is calcite-rich
   C. Iron ore
   D. Clay bricks
   Answer: B. Marble is mostly calcite (CaCO3). (Key point: Crushed marble)

3. Why is marble unfit for exposed polluted sites?
   A. It is too hard
   B. It is foliated
   C. It is soluble in acids
   D. It is permeable to gas
   Answer: C. Acid rain dissolves calcite. (Key point: Acid limitation)

## Related in Engineering Geology I

- [Engineering significance of marble, granite, sandstone](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aengineering-significance-of-marble-granite) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 4
- [Engineering uses of granite and marble](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aengineering-uses-of-granite-and) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 4
- [Scope and importance of geology in civil engineering](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Ascope-and-importance-of-geology) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 1, asked 24×
- [Folds: recognition and civil engineering influence](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Afolds-recognition-and-civil-engineering) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 5
- [Engineering significance of fault](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aengineering-significance-of-fault) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 5, asked 6×
- [Unconformity: stages and engineering significance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aunconformity-stages-and-engineering-significance) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 5

## Related in other subjects

- [Important properties of civil engineering materials](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aimportant-properties-civil-materials) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 1, asked 8×
- [Importance and scope of civil engineering materials](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aimportance-scope-subject) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 1, asked 8×
- [Classification of civil engineering materials](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aclassification-civil-materials) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 1, asked 2×
- [Scope of engineering geology in civil engineering](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Ascope-engineering-geology) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 1