subject: Stoneworks In Architecture Methods For Building Construction Restoration And Conservation [print this page] As one of the oldest building materials in human building history, stone is well recognised as highly durable. Stones natural textures can make structures much more aesthetically pleasing than its counterparts, if crafted correctly.
That is the reason stone is the primary material used for buildings associated with status, power and religion.
There are two types of construction in stoneworks dry stacking and stone masonry.
Dry stacking:
The earliest form of stone construction is dry stacking - which does not use any other materials to stick the stones together.
Stones in different shapes and sizes are selected and placed so they fit extremely closely together and do not slip out of place.
This can be used in structures such as walls, bridges and buildings. They usually decrease in width from the base to the top.
Dry stacking is actually quite a durable method of stoneworks. The sheer weight of the stones push each other together, allowing a structure to hold itself together naturally.
Other reasons this method is beneficial include easy maintenance and high resilience to damage. For example, structures using this method will allow water to pass through without any external damage.
Stone masonry:
Stone masonry is an evolved version of dry stacking.
However, this method involved the stone being cut into specific shapes and fixed in place using cement, mortar and lime mixture.
The stone is then placed in rows of even or uneven heights.The stone itself is acquired through surface quarrying, in which it is split. It can then be shaped and polished according to requirements.
Stones are often shaped using basic hand tools such as chisels, mallets and a metal straight edge. These days however, modern power tools are used to save money and time.
Stones can be shaped into blocks (ashlar masonry) or cut irregularly (rubble masonry).
Stone masonry is not quite as durable as dry stacking because mortar may cause water to get trapped in the stone pushed apart.
Traditional stone masonry is less expensive these days.
Modern stoneworks use thin, flat pieces glued against concrete blocks (veneered stone or stone cladding).
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