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SAMPLE PROPERTIES
Colour
Hardness
Cleavage
Lustre
Grain size
Streak
Magnetism
Feel
Specific
Dark Grey
gravity
Taste
2.8-3.0
None
Mineralogy
8
Perfect
Shiny
Fine
Dark grey
None
Structure
Its structure and shape depends on where it was erupted.
Weathering
Basalt is largely composed of minerals with little resistance to
weathering. Hence, it tends to disintegrate faster than felsic rock types
like granite.
Rock strength
Densit Porosit
y dry
y%
3
t/m
3.0
4.5
Dry
UCS
rang
e
MPa
42355
Dry
UCS
mea
n
MPa
150
Modulu
s of
elastici
ty
GPa
50
Tensile
strengt
h MPa
Shear
strengt
h MPa
Frictio
n
angle
4.84
42
48-50
Hydrology
Young lavas are good aquifers.
Value
Basalt can be used in aggregate and roadbeds. It is widely used for
railroad track beds.
Sample 2
NAME/TYPE: Diorite, Intrusive Igneous rock
SAMPLE PROPERTIES
Speckled
Black and
Colour
Hardness
Cleavage
Lustre
Grain size
Streak
Magnetism
Feel
Specific
white
gravity
Taste
2.9
None
7
Perfect
Metallic
Coarse grained
Bluish black
None
Solid
Mineralogy
Plutonic rock of felsic composition, with Coarse grained interlocking
crystal mosaic. 10% Feldspar and Quartz at between 5 to 20% of the
rock.
Occurrence
Diorite is produced in volcanic arcs, and in mountain building where it
usually occurs in large volumes as batholiths in the roots of mountains.
Locations include Norway and Scotland
Structure
Its
Weathering
Weathering produces epidote, calcite, sericite and kaolin.
Rock strength
Densit Porosit
y dry
y%
t/m3
2.36
NA
Dry
UCS
rang
e
MPa
Dry
UCS
mea
n
MPa
Modulu
s of
elastici
ty
GPa
Tensile
strengt
h MPa
Shear
strengt
h MPa
Frictio
n
angle
NA
NA
NA
15-30
NA
NA
Value
Since it has good strength and durability, can take a high polish, it can
be used as an architectural or even a ornamental stone but usually has
the same uses as basalt.
SAMPLE 3
NAME/TYPE: LIMESTONE, NON CLASTIC SEDIMENTARY ROCK
SAMPLE PROPERTIES
Colour
Hardness
Cleavage
Lustre
White
3-4
None
Dull
Coarse-Fine
Grain size
Streak
Magnetism
Feel
Specific
Grain
White
None
gravity
Taste
2.3-2.7
None
Mineralogy
Mainly calcite, with shell fragments of dolomite and clay minerals.
Occurrence
Chalks are pelagic limestone formed in shallow, marine water debris.
Structure
Usually well bedded in thick extensive successions, nodules of flint and
marcasite usually.
Weathering
Limestone areas are mainly affected by chemical weathering by
rainwater, which contains a weak carbonic acid. When it rains, the
limestone dissolves. Rainwater erodes the vertical joints and horizontal
bedding planes. This creates karst scenery.
Rock strength
Densit Porosit
y dry
y%
t/m3
2.5
5-20
Dry
UCS
rang
e
MPa
Dry
UCS
mea
n
MPa
Modulu
s of
elastici
ty
GPa
Tensile
strengt
h MPa
Shear
strengt
h MPa
Frictio
n
angle
48210
102
48
5-25
10-50
35-40
Foundations
There is massive variability of strong rock with open cavities and
fissures
Hydrology
Aquifer is efficient with diffuse and condult flow
Value
Limestone has many uses including, manufacture of paper, lime
production, petrochemicals, and aggregate stone.
SAMPLE 4
NAME/TYPE: SANDSTONE, CLASTIC SEDIMENTARY ROCK
SAMPLE PROPERTIES
Varies from
White, Brown,
yellow, red,
Colour
Hardness
Cleavage
grey
Lustre
subvitreous
6-7
Irregular
Dull to
mediumgrained
Grain size
Light Brown or
Streak
Magnetism
Feel
Specific
White
gravity
Taste
2.0-2.65
None
None
Sandy, gritty
Mineralogy
A wide variety of rock fragments with almost 75% quartz grains.
Occurrence
Mainly in lithified sedimentary sequences which consist of wholly
deposits of clastic fragments.
Structure
Bedding is apparent along with fossils and sedimentary structures.
Weathering
Erodes easily depending on the mineral composition which holds the
grains together. Also affected by physical and chemical weathering.
Physical weathering could crack rock along bedding planes. Single
grains often resist weathering like quartz.
Rock strength
Densit Porosit
y dry
y%
t/m3
2.3
5-25
Dry
UCS
rang
e
MPa
Dry
UCS
mea
n
MPa
Modulu
s of
elastici
ty
GPa
Tensile
strengt
h MPa
Shear
strengt
h MPa
Frictio
n
angle
40179
96
22
4-25
8-40
35-45
Hydrology
Aquifer is often productive with diffuse flow.
Value
Used mainly for construction, it is easy to work, the red-brown
sandstone also known as brownstone has been used in many eastern
cities for buildings.
Sample 5
NAME/TYPE: GNEISS, FOLIATED METAMORPHIC ROCK
SAMPLE PROPERTIES
Black and
Colour
Hardness
Cleavage
Lustre
white lined
7
Irregular
Dull
coarse
grained
Grain size
Lighter and
Darker
coloured
Streak
Magnetism
Feel
Specific
gneiss
gravity
Taste
2.6-2.9
None
None
Rough patches
Mineralogy
Feldspar and quartz are abundant and they form the granular, light
coloured layers. Biotite and muscovite are present, any characteristics
regional metamorphism of minerals might occur.
Occurrence
Gneiss forms through recrystallization of pre-existing rocks under high
temperature and pressure. The rock remains completely solid during
metamorphosis and pressure is usually anisotropic, which then leads
to the formation of new minerals.
Structure
Usually coarse grained texture while the other part of it often contains
mica, may be foliated.
Weathering
Gneiss usually weathers slowly, even though some minerals might be
affected by chemical weathering.
Rock strength
Densit Porosit
y dry
y%
3
t/m
2.7
0.51.5
Hydrology
Zero flow
Dry
UCS
rang
e
MPa
Dry
UCS
mea
n
MPa
Modulu
s of
elastici
ty
GPa
Tensile
strengt
h MPa
Shear
strengt
h MPa
Frictio
n
angle
73340
159
58
5-20
NA
30-40
Value
Used as building stones and others for structural purposes, all part of
the construction.
Sample 6
Name/Type: Schist, Foliated Metamorphic rock.
SAMPLE
PROPERTIES
Colour
Hardness
Cleavage
Lustre
Grain size
Medium
Streak
grained
White
powdery
colour
Magnetism
Feel
Specific
None
gravity
Taste
2.5-2.9
None
gritty
Mineralogy
It is coarse grained. Muscovite and quartz are common. May contain
other minerals also which form as the rock during metamorphism.
Occurrence
There is regional metamorphism of rocks and clays at relatively high
temps and pressure.
Structure
Usually medium or coarse grained, might contain minerals of larger
size than the matrix, this is known as porphyro-blast, for example it
may show folding of layers.
Weathering
Many metamorphic minerals are affected by chemical weathering, the
crystal sizes can be very small, causing weathering rapidly.
Rock strength
Densit Porosit
y dry
y%
3
t/m
2.7
0.76
Hydrology
Aquiclude
Value
Dry
UCS
rang
e
MPa
Dry
UCS
mea
n
MPa
Modulu
s of
elastici
ty
GPa
Tensile
strengt
h MPa
Shear
strengt
h MPa
Frictio
n
angle
NA
48
21
NA
NA
NA
Schist is a source for graphite and its also used in building trades and
construction industry.
Sample 7
Name/Type: Magnetite, Mineral
SAMPLE PROPERTIES
Colour
Hardness
Cleavage
Lustre
Greyish black
5.5-6.5
Irregular
Metallic
sediments
Black
Magnetic
Metallic and
Feel
Specific
heavy
gravity
Taste
5.2
None
Mineralogy
In magmatic deposits, magnetite occurs with apatite and pyroxenes,
while when it is in contact with metamorphic rocks it is more
commonly found with garnet, olivine and metallic sulfides such as
pyrite. When it is in high temperature hydrothermal veins it is usually
associated with galena.
Occurrence
Magnetite occurs in big deposits formed as shallow marine sediments.
Structure
The crystal structure of magnetite contains both the ferrous and ferric
forms of ions. A complicated pattern of electrons between the two
forms of iron is the source of its magnetic nature.
Weathering
Magnetite is susceptible to weathering but is still a common
constituent of sand. In some places sand may be so concentrated in
magnetite that it could be used as an iron ore.
Value
It is one of the most abundant and widespread of all mineral oxides
and occurs in a
variety of environments.
Sample 8
Name/Type: Garnet, Mineral
Varies from
dark red to
Colour
Hardness
Cleavage
brown
6.5-7.5
Lustre
resinous
None
Vitreous to
Coarse
Grain size
Streak
Magnetism
grained
White
Not magnetic
It feels quite
Feel
Specific
heavy
gravity
Taste
3.6-4.3
None
SAMPLE PROPERTIES
Mineralogy
Coarse grained crystal mosaic, garnet minerals crystallize in a cubic
system. Garnet in rocks may demonstrate beautifully developed crystal
faces.
Occurrence
Garnet is usually found in some igneous rocks and
highly metamorphosed rocks. They usually form under the same high
temperatures and pressures in which those rocks were formed.
Structure
From what Ive read, Garnet is a mineral group, not a single mineral.
These minerals share similar crystal structure but they have a variable
chemical composition.
Weathering
Garnet is resistant to weathering.
Value
Used as abrasives for grinding and polishing. Not really much of a use
in our construction field.
Sample 9
Name/Type: Galena, Mineral
SAMPLE
PROPERTIES
Colour
Hardness
Cleavage
Lead grey
2.5
Lustre
Opaque
Grain size
Streak
Magnetism
Feel
Specific
Fine-grained
Lead grey
gravity
Taste
7.4-7.6
None
Perfect
Metallic,
Not magnetic
Feels heavy
Mineralogy
Fine grained crystal mosaic. It is usually found in a granular form.
Occurrence
Galena usually occurs in low to medium temperature of hydrothermal
veins of igneous rocks.
Structure
Galena usually shows combinations of many forms of the cubic system.
Galena is also found in a massive and granular form.
Weathering
When galena gets exposed to the acid mine drainage, it will get
oxidized to anglesite by naturally occurring bacteria.
Hydrology
Galena specimens may usually tarnish when they come in contact with
air, becoming dull in lustre.
Value
Used in transportation in the form of batteries, fuel tanks, and even
radiation shielding. Not much used in construction.
Sample 10
Name/Type: Scoria, Extrusive Igneous rock.
SAMPLE PROPERTIES
Varies from
black-dark
grey to
Colour
Hardness
Cleavage
Lustre
reddish brown
5-6
Glassy
Grain size
Fine-grained
Usually red or
Streak
Magnetism
brown
Opaque
Not magnetic
Feels
Feel
Specific
relatively light
gravity
Taste
0.8-2.1
None
Mineralogy
Fine-grained mosaic with composed fragments of volcanic glass, and
has few mineral crystals.
Occurrence
Magma usually encounters lower pressures, the gases are able to
escape and form vesicles. The vesicles are then trapped when the
magma cools and solidifies. An example is Mountain Wellington, in New
Zealand
Structure
Scoria is a froth of felsic volcanic glass. It is relatively light and has a
low mass but sinks in water, and it also has a glassy nature.
Rock strength
Densit Porosit
y dry
y%
t/m3
2.6
40.07
Dry
UCS
rang
e
MPa
Dry
UCS
mea
n
MPa
Modulu
s of
elastici
ty
GPa
Tensile
strengt
h MPa
Shear
strengt
h MPa
Frictio
n
angle
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Value
From what Ive read, Scoria doesnt really have much use, in fact its
name is derived from the word waste.
REFERENCES
Guide to Minerals, Rocks and Fossils. A.C.Bishop, A.R. Woolley, W.R.
Hamilton.
http://www.sandatlas.org
http://geology.com/
http://www.oocities.org/unforbidden_geology/rock_properties.htm
http://academic.emporia.edu/abersusa/go324/igneous.htm
http://flexiblelearning.auckland.ac.nz/rocks_minerals/rocks/diorite.html
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/rock_landscapes/
classification_rocks_rev1.shtml
http://minerals-n-more.com/
http://www.mindat.org/min-10272.html
https://wserv3.esc.cam.ac.uk/1acollections/items/browse?collection=6
http://www.edumine.com/xtoolkit/tables/sgtables.htm
http://www.rocksandminerals4u.com/magnetite.html
http://www.moeacgs.gov.tw/english2/twgeol/twgeol_eastern_12.jsp
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/earthsciences/impact/geology/london/glossary/rocks/metamorphic/schist
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/schist.aspx
https://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/earthscienceandengineering/rocklibrary
http://www.kgs.ku.edu/General/Class/metamorphic.html
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/earthsciences/impact/geology/london/stpancras/weathering/factors
http://myweb.facstaff.wwu.edu/talbot/cdgeol/Structure/SSdikes/Sandst
one_dikes.html
http://www.reade.com/Particle_Briefings/spec_gra2.html
http://www.mineralszone.com/stones/limestone.html
http://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=ajes.2011.203.213&org=10
https://www.bestcrystals.com/hardness.html
http://www.rocks-rock.com/diorite.html
http://www.rockbreaker.com/equipment/rockbreakersystemsmain/26products/booms/702-rockhardness.html
http://global.britannica.com/science/basalt
http://lib.icimod.org/record/21333/files/c_attachment_76_673.pdf