Dimension stone

Dimension stone is natural rock quarried and cut or finished to specified sizes for construction and decoration. Its pieces are selected for properties such as strength, durability, appearance, and workable shape.

Granite: A coarse-grained igneous rock composed mainly of quartz and feldspar. Its hardness and weather resistance make it a widely used dimension stone.
Stone quarrying: The extraction of stone from natural rock deposits by cutting, drilling, or blasting. Quarrying separates dimension-stone blocks while aiming to limit cracks and waste.
Ashlar: Masonry made from carefully dressed stones laid in regular courses. Dimension-stone blocks can be cut into ashlar units for precise masonry.
Crushed stone: Rock mechanically broken into fragments for aggregate, road base, or construction fill. Unlike dimension stone, it is valued chiefly for particle size and bulk properties.
Marble: A metamorphic rock formed when limestone or dolostone recrystallizes. Its polishable surface and varied patterns suit architectural and sculptural uses.
Diamond wire saw: A cutting tool that uses a looped wire embedded with diamond abrasives. Quarries use it to cut large blocks from rock with controlled kerfs.
Stone cladding: A facing of stone attached to a building's exterior or interior wall. Thin dimension-stone pieces provide a stone surface without full-thickness masonry.
Aggregate: Granular material such as sand, gravel, or crushed rock used in construction. Dimension stone is a distinct construction material from granular aggregate.
Limestone: A sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate. It is quarried in many regions for blocks, cladding, and carved details.
Stone splitting: The division of stone along natural or induced fracture planes. Splitting can shape blocks or slabs while preserving characteristic stone surfaces.

Linked from 14 pages