BASIC CIVIL
ENGINEERING
Stones and Rocks
Rocks
A rock is group of
minerals bound
together.
The three types of
rocks are igneous,
sedimentary, and
metamorphic.
Igneous Rocks
Igneous Rocks forms
when lava or magma
cools down and
hardens.
Igneous word is from
the “Latin” meaning
“Fire formed”.
Its a rock type that
forms from the
solidification of a molten
mineral solution.
BROAD CLASSIFICATION OF IGNEOUS ROCKS
Volcanic rocks Intermediate rocks Plutonic rocks
(Extrusive rocks) (Hypabyssal rocks) (Intrusive
-Lava or Magma rocks)
flows -dykes, sills,
-Pyroclastic flows batholiths,
laccoliths etc.
Classification of Igneous Rocks
Intrusive (Plutonic) rocks form inside the
Earth (underground) when magma cools
slowly to create large crystals.
○ (Intrusive = Inside)
Extrusive (Volcanic) rocks form on the
Earth’s surface (above ground) when lava
cools quickly to create small crystals.
○ (Extrusive = Exit/outside)
Which is which? How do you know?
Intrusive: Large Extrusive: Small
crystals
crystals
Igneous Rocks
There are two types of magma
1. Felsic = Light color, high in silica, viscous
(thick and slow), low in iron, calcium or
magnesium
Felsic = Feldspar + Silica
2. Mafic = Dark color, low in silica, not viscous
(thin and watery), high in iron, calcium and
magnesium
Mafic = Magnesium + Iron (Fe)
Which is which? How do you know?
Felsic: Light overall Mafic: Dark overall
color
color
Igneous Rocks
Let’s try some examples, tell me if the
following rock samples are:
1. Felsic or Mafic
2. Fine grained or Coarse grained
3. Intrusive or Extrusive
Be sure to tell me how you knew.
Basalt
Mafic = Dark
color
Fine grained=
Small crystals
Extrusive =
Small crystals =
Formed on
surface
Diorite
Felsic = Light
color
Coarse grained=
Large crystals
Intrusive = Large
crystals = Formed
underground
Gabbro
Mafic = Dark
color
Coarse grained=
Large crystals
Intrusive =
Large crystals =
formed
underground
Pumice Felsic = Light
color
Fine grained=
Small crystals
Extrusive = Small
crystals = Formed
above ground
Scoria Mafic = Dark
color
Fine grained=
Small crystals
Extrusive =
Small crystals =
Formed above
ground
Sedimentary Rocks
Rocks get weathered into loose material
by action of water, wind, intense hot
weather.
Moved by action of wind, water and ice
to ultimately be deposited to a favorable
place.
Material so deposited finally change to
rock, by action of pressure
Lithification
Sedimentary Rocks
Sediments
Deposition
Transport
Erosion
Weathering
Lithification (Lithos :-”Rock”): the process in which sediments compact under
pressure, expel connate fluids, and gradually become solid rock.
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
These are rocks formed at great
depths under the action of severe
heat and pressure on igneous,
sedimentary and other metamorphic
rocks.
Metamorphic Rocks
Shale Slates
Metamorphic Rocks
sandstone Quartizite
Metamorphic Rocks
Limestone Marble
Physical Classification Of Rocks
Stratified Rock
shows planes of cleavage along which they
can be easily split. Ex: Sedimentary Rocks
Unstratified Rock
Do not have strata or separate layers.
Ex: Igneous Rocks
Foliated Rock
Show parallel layers of platy minerals like
mica with bands of different minerals between
them.
Chemical Classification of Rock
Siliceous Rocks:- Predominant mineral
is silica. Generally strong and hard. Ex:-
Granite, sandstone, gneiss.
Argillaceous Rocks:- Alumina (Clay) as
principal constituent. Strong and hard
but brittle. Ex:- Slate, laterite.
Calcareous Rock:- calcium carbonate as
principal constituent. Ex:- marble,
limestone.
Characteristics Of Good Stones
Structure:- for building stone unstratified “igneous”
rocks are good. Stratified rock tend to split along the
plane of strata.
Appearance:- The Color and texture of stone contribute
to the appearance of the face work in structure.
Weight or Denseness:- a heavy stone is compact with
little porosity and such stones contribute to structure
ability.
Fineness of Grains:- For Molding and carving works
fine grained stones are very suitable.
Durability:- A good building stone should be durable or
long lasting.
Characteristics Of Good Stones
Strength:-A stone for building works should have
crushing strength not less than 100N/mm2.
Hardness:- Stones should offer resistance against
wear and tear
Facility of working or Dressing:-Stones for
buildings must be such that they can be cut to
required size and dressed.
Fire Resistance:-stones must maintain their
strength and compactness when exposed to fire.
Seasoning:- Freshly cut stones contain moisture
due to which they are relatively soft and not fit for
building work, but good for dressing and carvings.
Few Important Rocks
Granite
An Igneous Rock consisting for
feldspar, quartz and mica.
Its an excellent building stone.
It has very good strength and
appearance.
Crushing Strength of 100 to 150
N/mm2.
High resistance to weathering.
It can take fine polishing.
Few Important Rocks
Basalt
An Igneous Rock.
Very Hard and Tough.
Does not allow itself to be
easily worked.
Very high compressive
strength.
Good for foundation work
and road masonry.
Few Important Rocks
Gneiss
A Metamorphic Rock.
Can be split into slabs.
Allows itself to be easily
worked.
Good for rough masonry
work.
Few Important Rocks
Laterite
A Metamorphic Rock
having porous structure.
Easy quarrying in blocks.
Founds in different colors.
Good for building stones,
road metal and stone
masonry rock.
Few Important Rocks
Limestone
A Sedimentary Rock.
Main content calcium
carbonate.
Important raw material in
manufacturing of lime and
cement.
Used in roofing, paving
and flooring. Also used as
road metal.
Artificial Stones
Reconstructed stones are used when natural
stones are very costly or not available.
Cement Concrete:- It is made by mixing cement,
fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and water. It
is called R.C.C. or reinforced cement concrete.
Mosaic Tiles:- These are precast tiles whose
upper surface has marble chips.
Terrazzo:- this is made from a mixture cement
and marble chips. Mainly used in bath rooms,
houses.
