<p>K R Srikanta Prasad explores the many varieties of stone available, and its use in buildings. Read on for more on the pros and cons of using stone as a construction element.<br /></p>.<p>Compare these: A simple wall built with exposed natural stones and walls built with other materials such as RCC. A stone wall not only looks good but is also strong and durable. Stone buildings are generally majestic, stately and have a timeless appeal to them. Like wood, stone is also a versatile material involving the creativity of skilled architects, builders, and sculptors alike. In the early civilisations, stone walls were built without mortar and now different types of mortars are being used, cement mortar being the latest.</p>.<p><br />The positives of stone outweigh the negatives. Stones are workable, strong, heavy and withstand wear and tear. Many varieties are available naturally for different purposes and applications. The use of stone means there is not much scope for wastage. From big blocks to small pieces, stone finds many uses.</p>.<p> A block of stone can be cut, drilled, and polished. It can be carved and sculpted. It can be used in almost every element of a building, from the foundation to the roof. It is hard and durable and is available in different natural colours and textures. Stone is easy to maintain and plays a part in passive climatic architecture. Stones are also water and fire-resistant.<br /><br />The flip side<br /><br />While the use of stone has many advantages, there are also a few negative aspects involved in using them. Stones are heavy and it can be difficult to handle big units of stones (think of the super human efforts of the builders of Egyptian pyramids and the Great wall of China!). Defective stones could crack and crumble. </p>.<p><br />Some varieties are porous and absorb water; they are not acid-resistant. With depleting resources and growing demand, the material costs have been high. With the non-availability of enough skilled craftsmen, labour costs are very high. For instance, the cost of a stone slab is less than the cost of dressing it fine! Tensile strength being poor, they have limitations as load bearing elements.</p>.<p><br />In the present construction scenario, stones are abundantly used in different building elements: sized stones for foundation and superstructures, dressed stones for walls, dressed stones /slabs/strips for cladding, stone slabs for boundary walls, pavements, and pathways, dressed stones for arched openings, stone poles for fencing, stone artwork for exterior/hard landscaping, rocks for rock gardens and cascades, dressed stone pillars and sculptures, natural stone polished slabs for flooring and cladding, polished granite for counters, cabinets and shelves, stone murals, stone masonry and cladding in public buildings, and stone slabs for drain cover and steps.</p>.<p>Colours and textures</p>.<p><br />A wide variety of stones are available in different geographical areas. Some popular ones include grey, pink, and black granite which are locally available and used for masonry, cladding, etc. They are hard and can be elegantly combined. Cuddapah stone slabs are used largely for flooring. Shahabad, Tandur, Kota and Jaisalmer make for interesting flooring patterns. Marble and granite have a wide range. </p>.<p><br />They are cut into thin slabs, polished and used extensively for flooring. Sandstones of different colours are good for cladding, while soft stones are used for carving and intricate work. <br /><br />Bethamchella stones offer good colour options and designs for flooring, while laterite stones used in coastal Karnataka are good for masonry work. Stones are available in different forms such as blocks, slabs, poles, strips, thin slabs, aggregates, pebbles, etc. It is up to the creative architects and engineers to arrive at a feasible combination to make it attractive, useful and cost-effective. <br /><br />For example, stones and bricks can be combined to make a viable composite wall that is economical and practical. Slate is used as a viable roofing material in many places. In India, stones can generally be classified as sedimentary stones, lime stones and sand stones. Sedimentary stones account for granites and marbles. Andhra Pradesh is a major source for lime stones like Cuddapah, Kota, Tandur, etc<br /><em><br />(The writer is a civil engineer.) </em></p>
<p>K R Srikanta Prasad explores the many varieties of stone available, and its use in buildings. Read on for more on the pros and cons of using stone as a construction element.<br /></p>.<p>Compare these: A simple wall built with exposed natural stones and walls built with other materials such as RCC. A stone wall not only looks good but is also strong and durable. Stone buildings are generally majestic, stately and have a timeless appeal to them. Like wood, stone is also a versatile material involving the creativity of skilled architects, builders, and sculptors alike. In the early civilisations, stone walls were built without mortar and now different types of mortars are being used, cement mortar being the latest.</p>.<p><br />The positives of stone outweigh the negatives. Stones are workable, strong, heavy and withstand wear and tear. Many varieties are available naturally for different purposes and applications. The use of stone means there is not much scope for wastage. From big blocks to small pieces, stone finds many uses.</p>.<p> A block of stone can be cut, drilled, and polished. It can be carved and sculpted. It can be used in almost every element of a building, from the foundation to the roof. It is hard and durable and is available in different natural colours and textures. Stone is easy to maintain and plays a part in passive climatic architecture. Stones are also water and fire-resistant.<br /><br />The flip side<br /><br />While the use of stone has many advantages, there are also a few negative aspects involved in using them. Stones are heavy and it can be difficult to handle big units of stones (think of the super human efforts of the builders of Egyptian pyramids and the Great wall of China!). Defective stones could crack and crumble. </p>.<p><br />Some varieties are porous and absorb water; they are not acid-resistant. With depleting resources and growing demand, the material costs have been high. With the non-availability of enough skilled craftsmen, labour costs are very high. For instance, the cost of a stone slab is less than the cost of dressing it fine! Tensile strength being poor, they have limitations as load bearing elements.</p>.<p><br />In the present construction scenario, stones are abundantly used in different building elements: sized stones for foundation and superstructures, dressed stones for walls, dressed stones /slabs/strips for cladding, stone slabs for boundary walls, pavements, and pathways, dressed stones for arched openings, stone poles for fencing, stone artwork for exterior/hard landscaping, rocks for rock gardens and cascades, dressed stone pillars and sculptures, natural stone polished slabs for flooring and cladding, polished granite for counters, cabinets and shelves, stone murals, stone masonry and cladding in public buildings, and stone slabs for drain cover and steps.</p>.<p>Colours and textures</p>.<p><br />A wide variety of stones are available in different geographical areas. Some popular ones include grey, pink, and black granite which are locally available and used for masonry, cladding, etc. They are hard and can be elegantly combined. Cuddapah stone slabs are used largely for flooring. Shahabad, Tandur, Kota and Jaisalmer make for interesting flooring patterns. Marble and granite have a wide range. </p>.<p><br />They are cut into thin slabs, polished and used extensively for flooring. Sandstones of different colours are good for cladding, while soft stones are used for carving and intricate work. <br /><br />Bethamchella stones offer good colour options and designs for flooring, while laterite stones used in coastal Karnataka are good for masonry work. Stones are available in different forms such as blocks, slabs, poles, strips, thin slabs, aggregates, pebbles, etc. It is up to the creative architects and engineers to arrive at a feasible combination to make it attractive, useful and cost-effective. <br /><br />For example, stones and bricks can be combined to make a viable composite wall that is economical and practical. Slate is used as a viable roofing material in many places. In India, stones can generally be classified as sedimentary stones, lime stones and sand stones. Sedimentary stones account for granites and marbles. Andhra Pradesh is a major source for lime stones like Cuddapah, Kota, Tandur, etc<br /><em><br />(The writer is a civil engineer.) </em></p>
