---
title: "Properties of granite, limestone, shale, marble"
subject: "Engineering Geology I"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_3/engineering_geology_i:properties-of-granite-limestone-shale"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/properties-of-granite-limestone-shale
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Properties of granite, limestone, shale, marble

Engineering Geology I · Chapter 4: Petrology

- Asked in: 2080 Bhadra, 4 marks
- Video: [Every Type of Natural Stone Explained in 8 Minutes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs_ClLCyNpg) — OwlExplained
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/properties-of-granite-limestone-shale
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/chapter-4

## Question

Describe the physical properties with engineering uses of granite, limestone, shale and 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.

## Answer

| 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 |

## Check yourself

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

1. Shale is
   A. hard, with 100-250 MPa
   B. crystalline and sugary
   C. fissile, with low strength (5-40 MPa), slaking and swelling
   D. glassy
   Answer: C. Poor foundation. (Key point: Shale)

2. Marble
   A. splits into slabs
   B. is glassy
   C. has no reaction to acid
   D. takes high polish, fizzes in HCl, soluble in acid
   Answer: D. Used for flooring and cladding. (Key point: Marble)

3. Limestone's main hazard is
   A. solubility giving cavities and leakage risk
   B. foliation
   C. swelling
   D. columnar joints
   Answer: A. Grouting needed. (Key point: Limestone)

4. Granite uses include
   A. brick clay
   B. foundations, dam sites and bridge piers
   C. statues from soft stone
   D. cement raw material
   Answer: B. Shale gives brick clay; limestone gives cement. (Key point: Granite)

## Related in Engineering Geology I

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