The document discusses construction materials and methods, focusing on building stones. It provides an outline that covers the introduction, classification of rocks, properties of good building stones, types of building stones, uses of common building stones, quarrying and dressing of stones, durability and selection of stones. It classifies rocks geologically into igneous rocks formed by cooling magma, sedimentary rocks formed from compressed sediments, and metamorphic rocks formed from changes to sedimentary and igneous rocks. Igneous rocks are further classified by crystal size, sedimentary rocks include limestone and sandstone, and metamorphic rocks include gneiss, schist and slate. Rocks are also physically classified by

1. Kandahar University
Engineering Faculty
Civil Department
Submit date:
1402 /#/ #
Construction Materials and Method
Construction Equipment
Lecture 1
J-Group
Prepared for: Athiqullah Hayat
Prepared by: Wahidullah Wisal

2. Outlines
Introduction
Classification of Rocks
Properties of Good Building Stones
Types of building stones
Uses of common building stones
Useful building stones of INDIA
Quarrying of building stones
Dressing of stones
Durability of stones
Selection of stones for various works
Tests on building stones
Artificial stones
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3. Introduction
The earth crust is composed of Rocks. Rock is a mineral mass ,it may consist single mineral
(monomineralic) or of several minerals (polymineralic).
Mineral: is a natural body, homogenous in chemical composition and physical properties.
Natural Rocks widely used for building purposes. Rocks used as mined material, e.g., gravel, sand,
or mechanically processed material, e.g., crushed stone, sawn, dressed and polished stones.
Rocks are the main source of the material.
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Mono mineralic
• Quarts
• Pure gypsum
• Magnesite
Poly mineralic
• Granite
• Basalt
• Porphyries

4. Classification of Rocks
Rock formation predetermine their chemical and mineralogical composition, crystalline structure
and texture, these characteristics, underlying the strength and decorative properties.
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Classification
of rocks
Geological
or genetic
physical chemical
Geological or Genetic Rocks classification
 According to geological classification, rocks are subdivided into three large groups.
1) Igneous rocks 2) sedimentary rocks 3)metamorphic rocks

5. 1. Igneous rocks
Cooling and hardening of molten magma result in the formation of igneous rocks.
By the rate of cooling large crystals( granite, syenites, diorite and gabbros) and small crystals
(basalts, rhyolites, and andesites)
2. Sedimentary Rocks
Transportation agents like wind, water and ice may move the loose weathered rock materials and
deposit them in the form of layers called sediments. By the result of heavy pressure, compaction
and cementation.
Like; limestone, dolomite, shale and sand stone.
3. Metamorphic Rocks
Sedimentary rocks and igneous rocks when subjected to changes brought by heat, pressure and
plastic flow results metamorphic rocks.
Gneiss, schist, slate and marble.
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6.  Physical classification
The manner and arrangement of different particle and mass forming stones.
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