---
title: "Types of stone masonry"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_6/building_technology:stone-masonry-types"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/stone-masonry-types
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Types of stone masonry

Building Technology · Chapter 3: Mortars & Masonry works

- Asked in: 2079 Chaitra, 7 marks; 2078 Chaitra, 4 marks; 2076 Baisakh, 8 marks; 2073 Bhadra; 2072 Magh, 8 marks (asked 5 times)
- Video: [Classification of Stone Masonry | Building Construction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfZmFOohLHI) — SGK Online Education
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/stone-masonry-types
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-3

## Question

Describe the types (classification) of stone masonry with typical sketches.

## Short answer

Stone masonry is rubble (undressed stones) or ashlar (finely dressed stones). Rubble includes random, coursed, square-snecked, polygonal, flint and dry rubble. Ashlar includes fine, rough-tooled, rock-faced, chamfered and block-in-course.

## Answer

**Stone masonry** is the construction of walls with stones bonded with mortar, or sometimes laid dry. It is classified into rubble masonry and ashlar masonry.

#### 1. Rubble masonry
Stones are undressed or roughly dressed, with irregular faces.
- **Random rubble**: Stones of irregular shape and size, as obtained from the quarry. Two types: *uncoursed* (no regular courses; cheapest) and *coursed* (levelled at 300 to 600 mm intervals).
- **Square-snecked rubble**: Roughly squared stones of different heights, with small stones (snecks) in the gaps.
- **Coursed rubble (first, second, third sort)**: Stones roughly hammer-dressed, laid in courses of equal height. First sort: stones are dressed, course height 150 to 300 mm; the second and third sorts are less regular.
- **Dry rubble**: Without mortar; for boundary walls and retaining walls.
- **Polygonal rubble**: Stone faces dressed to irregular polygon shapes, with joints at several angles.
- **Flint rubble**: Built with flint stones.

#### 2. Ashlar masonry
Stones are finely dressed, with all faces and joints chisel-dressed to uniform sizes, and laid with thin joints (3 mm).
- **Ashlar fine**: Very fine, with joints about 3 mm; best finish.
- **Ashlar rough-tooled**: Faces roughly tooled.
- **Ashlar rock-faced (quarry-faced)**: Face left rough, with a chisel-drafted margin.
- **Ashlar chamfered**: Edges chamfered at 45°.
- **Ashlar block-in-course**: Stones squared and hammer-dressed, laid in courses of equal height (about 200 to 300 mm) with joints up to 6 mm; a grade between rubble and fine ashlar.

```text
 Random rubble        Coursed rubble        Ashlar
  _/\_  __           |____|__|____|        |____|____|
 |  \/_|__|          |__|____|__|_|        |____|____|
 (irregular)         (courses levelled)     (fine joints)
```

#### Comparison
| Point | Rubble | Ashlar |
|---|---|---|
| Dressing | Rough | Fine |
| Cost | Low | High |
| Joint | Thick | Thin |
| Use | Foundations, retaining and boundary walls | Face of public buildings, monuments |

Typical rules: through stones at 1.5 m intervals, wall thickness at least 350 mm, and good bonding with 1:6 cement-sand or mud mortar.

## Check yourself

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

1. Stone masonry is classified into:
   A. Dry and wet only
   B. Arch and beam
   C. Rubble and ashlar
   D. Brick and block
   Answer: C. The two main types are rubble masonry and ashlar masonry. (Key point: Main classification)

2. Compared with rubble, ashlar has:
   A. No mortar ever
   B. Fine dressing, thin joints (about 3 mm)
   C. Rough dressing, thick joints
   D. Lower cost
   Answer: B. Ashlar is finely dressed and costlier. (Key point: Ashlar vs rubble)

3. Dry rubble masonry is built:
   A. With bitumen
   B. With steel
   C. Without mortar
   D. With rich cement mortar
   Answer: C. Used for boundary and retaining walls. (Key point: Dry rubble)

4. Ashlar masonry is mainly used for:
   A. Boundary walls
   B. Faces of public buildings and monuments
   C. Retaining walls
   D. Foundations
   Answer: B. Its fine finish suits public buildings and monuments. (Key point: Uses)

## Related in Building Technology

- [Tile hanging versus stone cladding](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Atile-hanging-stone-cladding) — Building Technology, chapter 9
- [Rubble, coursed rubble and ashlar masonry](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Arubble-coursed-ashlar) — Building Technology, chapter 3, asked 2×
- [Making brick masonry earthquake resistant](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aeq-brick-masonry) — Building Technology, chapter 11

## Related in other subjects

- [Typical damage in masonry under lateral loads](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Atypical-damage-lateral-loads) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 9, asked 2×
- [Typical damage patterns in masonry buildings](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fdesign_of_timber_and_masonry_structures%3Adamage-patterns-masonry-lateral-loads) — Design of Timber and Masonry Structures, chapter 6
- [Detailed specification of stone masonry in 1:6 mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Adetailed-spec-stone-masonry-1-6) — Construction Management, chapter 12
- [Materials for 5 m³ stone masonry 1:6](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Amaterials-stone-masonry-5m3) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 4