ASTM C1528-02
(Guide)Standard Guide for Selection of Dimension Stone for Exterior Use
Standard Guide for Selection of Dimension Stone for Exterior Use
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended to be used by architects, engineers, specifiers, contractors, and material suppliers who design, select, specify, install, purchase, fabricate, or supply natural stone products for construction applications.
1.2 Consensus Standard—This guide is an industry consensus standard drafted in a cooperative effort among engineers, architects, geologists, producers, and installers of natural stone.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:C1528–02
Standard Guide for
Selection of Dimension Stone for Exterior Use
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1528; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Natural stone, while being perhaps the oldest building material known to man, can also be one of
the most difficult of all building materials to properly evaluate, select, and specify. Every natural stone
product is unique, having its own physical properties and performance capabilities. Responsible stone
selection involves extensive and objective evaluation of both the stone material and the application in
which it is required to perform.
This guide presents a cursory review of the different stone types commonly used in construction,
common applications, available finishes, and factors affecting product costs. It is intended to be used
in combination with good judgment, responsible engineering analysis, local building codes, and any
other available resources. It is not a “how-to” or a “step-by-step” guide, and has been prepared with
the assumption that the user has some familiarity in the use of natural stone prior to utilizing this
guide.
Past performance is the best test of a dimension stone’s durability. Yet because the physical
properties of a natural stone can vary within a single deposit, even stones with a history of satisfactory
performance may need to be tested to ascertain the quality of the current production stock. Common
physical property tests include absorption, density, compressive strength, modulus of rupture, flexural
strength, abrasion resistance, and anchor strength.Additional tests may also be required depending on
the material and application.
In a high proportion of the cases, failure of a natural stone in service is a result of improper
application, rather than the inherent properties of the stone. Placing stones in unsuitable environments,
faulty fabrication, installation, or construction practices, and incompatible associated materials are
frequent causes of stone system failures (for example, high-porosity stones in subgrade applications,
inadequate anchorage or expansion space, mortars leaching alkalis, inappropriate strength mortars,
staining grouts, voids in setting beds, and pavement stones with inadequate resistance to abrasion).
In selection of natural dimension stone products, the application as well as the aesthetic appeal must
be considered. While aesthetics are important to the design, the selection of the proper stone material,
thickness, anchorage, and related components is necessary to ensure meeting the performance and
durability requirements of the design.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This guide is intended to be used by architects, engi- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
neers, specifiers, contractors, and material suppliers who de- C 97 Test Methods for Absorption and Bulk Specific Grav-
sign, select, specify, install, purchase, fabricate, or supply ity of Dimension Stone
natural stone products for construction applications. C 99 Test Method for Modulus of Rupture of Dimension
1.2 Consensus Standard—This guide is an industry consen- Stone
sus standard drafted in a cooperative effort among engineers, C 119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
architects,geologists,producers,andinstallersofnaturalstone. C 120 Test Methods for Flexure Testing of Slate (Modulus
of Rupture, Modulus of Elasticity)
C 121 Test Method for Water Absorption of Slate
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on Dimension
Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.08 on Selection of
Exterior Dimension Stone.
Current edition approved June 10, 2002. Published August 2002.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C1528–02
C 170 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension unique. The rich variation in color and texture, as well as its
Stone ability to age gracefully in the exterior environment, has made
C 217 Test Method for Weather Resistance of Slate stone one of the most popular materials for construction,
C 241 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Stone Sub- sculpture, and monuments.
jected to Foot Traffic 5.2 Varieties of stone possess certain properties making it
C 295 Guide for Petrographic Examination of Aggregates suitable for a specific application. Stone geology (mineral
for Concrete content and structure), compressive strength, flexural strength,
C 406 Specification for Roofing Slate resistance to absorption and erosion, as well as its ability to be
C 503 Specification for Marble Dimension Stone worked, vary widely by stone type. These are all key charac-
C 568 Specification for Limestone Dimension Stone teristics that dictate the best use of the material and must be
C 615 Specification for Granite Dimension Stone considered during the process of stone selection.
C 616 Specification for Quartz-Based Dimension Stone
6. Exterior Applications
C 629 Specification for Slate Dimension Stone
C 880 Test Method for Flexural Strength of Dimension
6.1 This guide is limited to the discussion of exterior
Stone
applications of stone. Of these, there are several major catego-
C 1028 Test Method for Determining the Static Coefficient
ries, which are introduced briefly as follows:
of Friction of Ceramic Tile and Other Like Surfaces by the
Horizontal Dynamometer Pull-Meter Method
7. Load-Bearing Masonry
C 1201 Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior
7.1 Load-bearing masonry is perhaps the oldest form of
Dimension Stone Cladding Systems by Uniform StaticAir
stone construction. Its defining feature is the transferring of
Pressure Difference
structural load vertically by relying on the compressive
C 1242 Guide for Design, Selection, and Installation of
strength of the stone to support itself and other imposed loads.
Exterior Dimension Stone Anchors and Anchoring Sys-
Due to the weight of the stone itself, structures built in this
tems
manner tend to be of limited height. As the height of the
C 1352 Test Method for Flexural Modulus of Elasticity of
structure increases, the wall thickness at the structure’s base
Dimension Stone
must increase, thus requiring large individual stones, or mul-
C 1353 Test Method for Using the Taber Abraser for Abra-
tiple wythes of stone. The costs of such walls are typically
sion Resistance of Dimension Stone Subjected to Foot
higher than other systems, due to the large amount of stone and
Traffic
labor involved.
C 1354 Test Method for Strength of Individual Stone An-
chorages in Dimension Stone
8. Cladding
2.2 Provisionsofdimensionstonehandbooks,manuals,and
8.1 In response to the limitations and expense of load-
specifications should be reviewed for compatibility with the
bearing masonry, stone cladding systems were developed.
principles outlined in this guide.
Cladding systems can offer the appearance of load-bearing
masonry but without the mass and expense. Cladding systems
also offer a wide variety of applications, allowing greater
3. Terminology
architectural innovation.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide,
8.2 When stone is used as cladding, it is exposed to unique
refer to Terminology C 119.
loading characteristics that can require complex structural
analysis and detailing in order to be used successfully. Mate-
4. Significance and Use
rials other than stone are also often integrated into cladding
4.1 Related Components—Natural stone is only one com-
systems, requiring consideration of their material properties as
ponent of a building’s construction. All related materials and
well as compatibility with the stone components.
assemblies need to be evaluated to ensure compatible interac-
tive behavior with the stone product.
9. Building Trim
4.2 Applicable Codes—Every stone application shall com-
9.1 Stone has been and continues to be used in architecture
ply with applicable building codes.
to accent other building materials, or to perform a specific
purpose. Stone is often integrated into wall systems as deco-
EXTERIOR APPLICATIONS OF DIMENSION
rative belt courses, window sills, lintels, arches, or water
STONES
tables. Stone can add an element of interest to buildings, in
addition to performing as a durable wall component with a
5. Introduction
specific and well-defined purpose.
5.1 Natural stones have long been used and admired for
their beauty and permanence.As a natural material, each piece
10. Pavements
of stone has features and physical characteristics that make it
10.1 From cobblestone streets to modern plazas, stone is
used to carry vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Modern systems
include those bearing on pedestals and traditional sand or
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.02. cement-based setting bed systems.
C1528–02
10.2 Materials used for steps must have a high resistance to 15.2 Typically, feldspar is the most abundant mineral found
abrasionandprovideasurfacewithadequateslipresistancefor in granites, and because of this, the color of the granite is
public safety. Many varieties of dimension stones, with appro- largely governed by the color of this mineral. The color can be
priate finish, will satisfy both of these requirements. modified by the quartz, hornblende, mica or any other mineral
present in significant quantity. Dark granular igneous rocks,
11. Steps
classified petrographically as anorthosite, basalt, diabase, dior-
11.1 Materials used for steps must have a high resistance to ite, or gabbro, are often referred to as “black granites.” Using
abrasionandprovideasurfacewithadequateslipresistancefor the rather broad commercial definition of granite, granites are
public safety. Many varieties of dimension stones, with appro- available in a wide array of colors including pink, gray, white,
priate finish, will satisfy both of these requirements. red, black, brown, buff, green, and blue.
11.2 Steps are manufactured from dimension stones as
15.3 The majority of granites found in the industry are
“cubic,” in which the tread and riser faces are of one piece of
granular or crystalline in appearance, with the grain size
stone, and also “veneered” in which multiple pieces of thin
varying anywhere between 2 or 3 mm up to 25 mm or larger.
stone material are placed over a concrete or steel frame to form
Some of the materials included in this definition will show a
the tread and riser surfaces.
layered or plate-like structure due to recrystallization, folding,
or other changes while the rock was in a plastic or semi-molten
12. Coping
state. Such metamorphic rocks are called granite gneisses.
12.1 Wallsystemsthatarefullyexposedtotheenvironment,
15.4 A granite with uniform distribution of the minerals is
suchasroofparapetwalls,balconyandterraceenclosurewalls,
desirable for the supply of a large application with minimal
and planter walls, are particularly susceptible to water penetra-
color variation. Many commercial deposits exhibit remarkable
tion. Stone coping and wall caps are often used to help protect
homogeneity across vertical and lateral distances, while other
the underlying wall system from excessive moisture penetra-
deposits will display considerable variation between adjacent
tion and associated distress.
blocks or even within one block.
12.2 Copings and wall caps can also add a visual accent to
15.5 Many granites are “anisotropic,” or “directionally spe-
the wall system, improving the appearance of the wall system
cific” in either appearance or performance, and as such, dictate
by defining changes in the wall configuration.
attention to the direction that they are quarried and sawn to
12.3 Stone copings and wall caps are typically jointed,
achieve the desired visual and performance requirements.
therefore,protectionofthewallsystemisalsoreliantonproper
Other granites are nearly “isotropic,” with similar appearance
treatment of the joints.
and performance characteristics regardless of the direction the
material is cut.
13. Roofing
13.1 Roofing applications for natural stone are typically
16. Suitability for Use
limited to slate, a variety of stone that can be quarried and
16.1 Granite materials have one of the widest ranges of
fabricated into thin, shingle-shaped elements. Dense, nonpo-
applications of any natural stone type. Architectural use of
rous stones can provide a durable, water-resistant roof system
granite includes exterior and interior cladding, exterior and
that effectively utilizes the unique physical characteristics of
interior paving, furniture tops, and landscape applications such
the material.
as curbs, retaining walls, or copings. Granite is frequently used
in monument or memorial applications where permanence and
14. Ornamental, Sculpture, and Monumental Elements
weather resistance are primary considerations. The chemical
14.1 Many varieties of stone possess characteristics that
resistance and dimensional stability of granite allow limited
make them a desirable material for sculpting and carving. Most
industrial applications such as pickling tanks, surface plates,
stone varieties can be worked by hand or power tools into
precision machine bases, and paper machine press-rolls.
unique shapes and representations, including engravings and
16.2 The particular finish specified for the granite may have
reliefs. Properly selected stones can demonstrate resistance to
agreaterbearingonitssuitabilityforusethanthegraniteitself.
environmental effects, thereby providing a sense of perma-
Polished and honed finishes are popular for vertical surfaces
nence to monuments and decorative sculpted items.
because of their refined appearance and low maintenance
requirements.These finishes are not recommended for walking
COMMON DIMENSION STONE TYPES—GRANITE
surfaces as they have relatively poor slip resistance. Textured
15. Mineralogy, Appearance, and Texture
surfaces such as thermal, tooled, or sanded are commonly used
in pedestrian traffic areas due to their favorable frictional
15.1 The term “granite” has both geological and commer-
properties.
cial definitions. There are many rock types that are not
classified as granites by true geological definition, yet they are 16.3 Physical Strength—Physical strength properties of
included in the commercial classification of granite because granitearedeterminedbylaboratorytestinginaccordancewith
they exhibit similar performance and behavioral characteristics
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.