The following table is useful to those wishing to design their next construction project using natural stone.
Density (DIN 52102) – The weight of the oven-dry rock without taking into account any porosity, unit of measurement: g/cm3
Modulus of elasticity – The modulus of elasticity E is the material parameter used for calculating longitudinal and transverse strain under load. Unit of measurement: kN/mm2
Compressive strength (DIN EN 1926) – Generally, the loading acting perpendicular to a cross-section through a body of rock. Unit of measurement: N/mm2
Tensile bending strength (DIN 52112 and DIN EN 12372) – The cohesion within the agglomerate plays a major role here, resulting in large differences in the load parallel with and perpendicular to the bedding plane. Unit of measurement: N/mm2
Abrasion resistance (DIN 52108) – This concerns the abrasion of a rock during grinding but also as a result of the action of foot traffic when used as a floor finish. The test involves spreading an abrasive medium on a rotating disc and applying pressure. Unit of measurement for abraded rock material: cm/50 cm2.
Weight for design purposes (DIN 1055) – The characteristic value for determining dead loads is equal to the mass of the material multiplied by the gravitational acceleration. The values are used for calculating the stability and the dimensions of masonry structures made from natural stone. Unit of measurement: kN/m2.
Water absorption (DIN 52103) – This is the quantity of water present in cavities, pores and other interstitial spaces within the agglomerate or the crystals. Unit of measurement: % by vol. or % by wt.
Thermal expansion (DIN 53752) – The volume of a rock changes with the temperature. In types of rock without a clear orientation the expansion takes place evenly in all directions. But in types of rock with clear orientation there are small but negligible differences between the different degrees of expansion in the three directions. Unit of measurement: mm/m 100K
Thermal conductivity (DIN EN ISO 6846-1) – The parameter describing the transmission of heat within a substance. Unit of measurement: W/mk.
Frost resistance (DIN 52104) – Frost resistance according to the DIN standard is assured when after at least 25 freeze-thaw cycles (cooling to -15 degrees Celsius and thawing out again) a rock exhibits extremely little or no spalling, dusting etc. However, the experience of the quarry operator should be taken into account if the stone is to be used externally (guarantee)
Specific heat capacity – This specifies the amount of heat energy a substance can absorb. Unit of measurement: j/kgK. The specific heat capacity (c) of stone lies in the region 800-950 j/kgK
Types of Stone:
Properties| Type of Rock | Density g/cm3 |
Modulus of Elasticity kN/mm2 |
Compressive strength N/mm2 | Tensile Bending Strength N/mm2 | Abrasion Resistance cm3/50 cm2 | Weight for Design Purposes kN/m2 | Water Absorption Gew.-% | Thermal conductivity W/mK | Thermal Expansion mm/m 100K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite | 2.6-2.8 | 38-76 | 130-270 | 5-18 | 5-8 | 28 | 0.1-0.9 | 1.6-3.4 | 0.8 |
| Syenite | 2.6-2.8 | 64 | 130-270 | 5-18 | 5-8 | 28 | 0.1-0.9 | -- | 0.8 |
| Diorite | 2.8-3.0 | 112-125 | 170-300 | 6-22 | 5-8 | 30 | 0.2-0.4 | -- | 0.88 |
| Gabbro | 2.8-3.0 | 112-125 | 170-300 | 6-22 | 5-8 | 30 | 0.2-0.4 | -- | 0.88 |
| Rhyolite | 2.5-2.8 | 25-65 | 180-300 | 10-22 | 5-8 | 28 | 0.2-0.7 | -- | 1.25 |
| Trachyte | 2.5-2.8 | 20-70 | 180-300 | 15-20 | 5-8 | 26 | 0.2-0.7 | -- | 1.00 |
| Basalt | 2.9-3.0 | 58-103 | 240-400 | 13-25 | 5-8 | 30 | 0.1-0.3 | 1.2-3.0 | 0.9 |
| Diabase | 2.8-2.9 | 78-115 | 180-250 | 15-25 | 5-8 | 29 | 0.1-0.4 | -- | 0.75 |
| Lava Stone | 2.2-2.4 | -- | 80-150 | 8-12 | 12-15 | 24 | 4-10 | -- | -- |
| Volcanic tuff | 1.8-2.0 | -- | 20-30 | 0.5-5 | -- | 20 | 6-15 | 0.4-1.7 | 0.4-1.0 |
| Conglomerate | 2.3 | -- | 20-160 | 2-15 | 14-80 | 27 | 10 | -- | 1.2-3.4 |
| Breccia* | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Sandstone | 2.0-2.7 | 8-18 | 30-150 | -- | 9-35 | 27 | 0.2-10 | 1.2-3.4 | 1.2 |
| Greywacke | 2.6 | 74-77 | 15-30 | 11-25 | 7-8 | 27 | 0.2-1.0 | -- | -- |
| Clayey shale | 2.7-2.8 | 1-38 | -- | 50-80 | -- | 28 | 0.5-0.6 | 1.2-2.1 | -- |
| Limestone | 2.6-2.9 | 40-92 | 75-240 | 3-19 | 15-40 | 28 | 0.1-3.0 | 2.0-3.4 | 0.75 |
| Shelly Limestone* | 2.0-2.7 | -- | 60-112 | 3-16 | 18-35 | 28 | 0.3-2.6 | -- | -- |
| Travertine | 2.4-2.5 | -- | 20-60 | 2-13 | -- | 26 | 2-5 | -- | 0.68 |
| Tuffaceous Limestone | 1.7-2.2 | -- | 30-50 | -- | -- | 26 | -- | -- | 0.3-0.7 |
| Solnh. Platy limestone | 2.55 | -- | 215 | 28.6 | 14.8 | -- | 1.4 | -- | 0.5-0.56 |
| Dolomite | 2.6-2.9 | -- | 75-240 | 3-19 | 15-40 | 28 | 0.1-3.0 | -- | 0.75 |
| Onyx* | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Ortho-/ paragneiss |
2.6-3.0 | 13-36 | 100-200 | -- | 4-10 | 30 | 0.3-0.4 | 1.6-2.1 | 0.5-0.8 |
| Quarzite | 2.6-2.7 | 74-77 | 150-300 | 13-25 | 7-8 | -- | 0.2-0.5 | -- | 1.25 |
| Mica-schist* | 2.74 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Chlorite shist* | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Serpentinite | 2.6-2.8 | 40-150 | 140-250 | -- | 8-18 | 27 | 0.3-2.0 | 3.4 | 0.5-1.0 |
| Marble | 2.6-2.9 | 50-80 | 75-240 | 3-19 | 15-40 | 28 | 0.1-3.0 | 2.0-2.6 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Migmatite | 2.7 | -- | 155 | 20.4 | -- | -- | 0.39 | -- | -- |
| Phyllite* | 2.74 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Granulite | 2.6-3.0 | -- | 100-200 | 5-23 | 15-40 | 0.1-0.6 | -- | -- | -- |
* Very variable values
Igneous rocks
Sedimentary rocks
Density (DIN 52102) – The weight of the oven-dry rock without taking into account any porosity, unit of measurement: g/cm3
Modulus of elasticity – The modulus of elasticity E is the material parameter used for calculating longitudinal and transverse strain under load. Unit of measurement: kN/mm2
Compressive strength (DIN EN 1926) – Generally, the loading acting perpendicular to a cross-section through a body of rock. Unit of measurement: N/mm2
Tensile bending strength (DIN 52112 and DIN EN 12372) – The cohesion within the agglomerate plays a major role here, resulting in large differences in the load parallel with and perpendicular to the bedding plane. Unit of measurement: N/mm2
Abrasion resistance (DIN 52108) – This concerns the abrasion of a rock during grinding but also as a result of the action of foot traffic when used as a floor finish. The test involves spreading an abrasive medium on a rotating disc and applying pressure. Unit of measurement for abraded rock material: cm/50 cm2.
Weight for design purposes (DIN 1055) – The characteristic value for determining dead loads is equal to the mass of the material multiplied by the gravitational acceleration. The values are used for calculating the stability and the dimensions of masonry structures made from natural stone. Unit of measurement: kN/m2.
Water absorption (DIN 52103) – This is the quantity of water present in cavities, pores and other interstitial spaces within the agglomerate or the crystals. Unit of measurement: % by vol. or % by wt.
Thermal expansion (DIN 53752) – The volume of a rock changes with the temperature. In types of rock without a clear orientation the expansion takes place evenly in all directions. But in types of rock with clear orientation there are small but negligible differences between the different degrees of expansion in the three directions. Unit of measurement: mm/m 100K
Thermal conductivity (DIN EN ISO 6846-1) – The parameter describing the transmission of heat within a substance. Unit of measurement: W/mk.
Frost resistance (DIN 52104) – Frost resistance according to the DIN standard is assured when after at least 25 freeze-thaw cycles (cooling to -15 degrees Celsius and thawing out again) a rock exhibits extremely little or no spalling, dusting etc. However, the experience of the quarry operator should be taken into account if the stone is to be used externally (guarantee)
Specific heat capacity – This specifies the amount of heat energy a substance can absorb. Unit of measurement: j/kgK. The specific heat capacity (c) of stone lies in the region 800-950 j/kgK