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Sample 1

NAME/TYPE: Basalt, Extrusive Igneous rock

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

feels very light

It has fine interlocking crystal mosaic and has no textural orientation.


Occurrence
Basalt lava flows in bedded sequences. Most basalt magmas are
formed by decompression and melting of the mantle.

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

structure is characterized by idiomorphic plagioclase, which differen


tiates it from biotite. Diorite is not widespread and is found with granite
s and granodiorites, more rarely with other rock.

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

Dark redbrown, Silver


6.5
Wavy
Shiny

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

Very small and


black
Grain size
Streak
Magnetism

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

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