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

# Engineering uses of granite and marble

Engineering Geology I · Chapter 4: Petrology

- Asked in: 2081 Bhadra, 2 marks
- Video: [Difference between marble and granite/advantage of marble and granite/uses of marble and granite](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_mhiNAELx4) — Muthukrishnan Haridas
- 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-uses-of-granite-and
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/chapter-4

## Question

Outline the engineering uses of granite and marble.

## Short answer

Granite is used for foundations, bridge piers, retaining walls, dams, crushed aggregate for concrete, road metal, and polished slabs for facing and flooring. Marble is employed as a decorative stone for flooring, wall cladding, steps, columns, and monuments because it takes a fine polish; crushed marble serves in terrazzo and lime production.

## Answer

**Granite**
- Foundations, bridge piers and abutments, retaining walls and dams, because of high strength and durability.
- Crushed to aggregate for concrete, road metal and railway ballast.
- Polished slabs for facing, flooring, steps, kerbs and monuments.

**Marble**
- Decorative flooring, wall cladding, steps, columns, statues and monuments (takes polish).
- Crushed for terrazzo flooring and as filler; used in lime and cement industry in some areas.
- Not suitable for external use in acidic environments.

## Check yourself

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

1. Crushed granite is used mainly as which material?
   A. Concrete aggregate, road metal and railway ballast
   B. Terrazzo flooring
   C. Roofing slabs
   D. Lime for cement
   Answer: A. Crushed granite gives excellent aggregate because it is strong and durable. (Key point: Granite aggregate)

2. Why is granite used for bridge piers and retaining walls?
   A. It takes a high polish only
   B. High strength and durability
   C. It is soft and easily carved
   D. It is calcite-rich
   Answer: B. Strength and durability suit load-bearing and hydraulic structures. (Key point: Granite structural use)

3. Which is an engineering use of crushed marble?
   A. Railway ballast
   B. Bridge piers
   C. Terrazzo flooring and filler
   D. Dam foundations
   Answer: C. Marble is soft and decorative, so crushed marble goes into terrazzo. (Key point: Marble use)

4. Where is marble not suitable?
   A. Interior flooring
   B. Statues
   C. Wall cladding indoors
   D. External use in acidic environments
   Answer: D. Marble reacts with acids. (Key point: Marble 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
- [Properties of granite, limestone, shale, marble](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aproperties-of-granite-limestone-shale) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 4
- [Properties of marble, slate, granite](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aproperties-of-marble-slate-granite) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 4, asked 2×
- [Properties and uses of granite, phyllite, limestone](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aproperties-and-uses-of-granite) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 4, asked 4×
- [Engineering significance of marble](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aengineering-significance-of-marble) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 4
- [Properties of marble, slate, amphibolite](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aproperties-of-marble-slate-amphibolite) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 4, asked 2×

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