Full information about limestone: description, what color it usually has, how blocks are made from it?

Because of its beauty and durability, limestone is a popular and adaptable natural stone. This sedimentary rock, which is widely distributed throughout the world, has long been utilized in construction. Because of its distinctive qualities, architects and builders find it to be a popular option.

Typically, limestone is available in a variety of hues, ranging from shades of beige, gray, and even yellow, to pure white. The minerals and organic materials that were present during its formation have an impact on these colors. Limestone is a visually appealing material that can be used in a variety of construction projects.

The process of making limestone blocks includes first removing the raw material from quarries, then chopping and molding it into pieces that can be used. To guarantee that the blocks are of the highest caliber and appropriate for construction, the procedure calls for accuracy and caution. Gaining an insight into the manufacturing process of these blocks can help you appreciate this classic material even more.

Brief Definition

The term "shell rock" can refer to various things; it can be limestone, which comes in a variety of forms. It is important to note that this particular breed is made up of fossilized sea creature shells and skeletons.

In contrast to materials like brick and aerated concrete, which require mixing the solution, waiting for it to harden, creating the right conditions, and firing, the material in its natural state is fully ready for use—you just need to extract and cut it.

Rakushnyak is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of mollusk skeletons and a conglomerate of shells from ancient sea life.

These biological remnants gathered at the bottom and were compressed into sturdy, solid structures over millions of years, creating layers.

Simply reach shallow layers (up to 12 m) and use regular, non-diamond saws to cut blocks of the necessary sizes out of them to extract such stone.

Citation! Stone is actually shell rock, which is primarily composed of natural fossils combined with sand and lime.

Shell limestone is extracted in an open manner; the rock is not particularly thick and is instead found in shallow layers. Earthmoving machinery removes the dirt and evens out the deposits. A little distance down the site is a large cutter-equipped apparatus that is mounted on rails and uses movement to cut bricks to the necessary dimensions.

This type of production needs little capital because the stone is soft and cuts with little energy. Ordinary saws are used, not diamond ones, and they are weaker than saws used for granite, for example. Shell blocks are therefore among the least expensive to build with.

If shell blocks are sold straight from the mining site, where they are typically cut, the price is very low. Right in the quarry, the user can purchase products in the sizes he requires. The price goes up a lot if you purchase something far from the deposit because loading and unloading expenses are added.

What does it look like?

Standard shell blocks come in a variety of forms, including parallelepipeds (a polyhedron with six faces) and squares and cubes. Additionally, there are uneven lamellar products, also known as rubble products (blocks, chipped segments), which are cladding slabs. Color: a muted light brown that is more ivory-gray than beige or yellowish.

Any other geometry is possible, including round, oval, and pyramidal shapes; the manufacturer’s choice and the customer’s preferences will determine what is allowed.

Its porosity and roughness are readily apparent on the shell rock, resembling dense forms of pumice. These qualities can differ, though; there are types that are denser and less dense. Certain options might have obvious cavities, large cavities, or cavities that are nearly identical to those in sandstone.

Composition of natural shell rock

Shell rock is made up of fossilized organisms from the marine and ocean environment, such as skeletons and shells, as well as naturally compressed mineral remnants, primarily calcium-containing salts and bone.

Since it is formed in an environment with a variety of substances, including chemicals (iodine), sand, pebbles, lime, and other rocks—all of which are beneficial to humans—such a pure structure is not possible.

Note: The types and amounts of impurities vary depending on the soil properties in different areas. The age of shells utilized in building exceeds 500 million years.

The kind of rock in question is sedimentary, a kind of limestone; in theory, the formation process of this group of stones is similar to that of the rock in question, i.e., the pressing of solid organic matter over millions of years—in our case, calcium-containing organic matter.

The following elements are found in shell rock on average (due to regional variations in the volume of environmental components and the possibility of small inclusions of other substances):

1. Calcium carbonate. Main filler – 52…56%.
2. Magnesium oxide (1…2%). Gives a yellowish-sand color.
3. Carbon dioxide (40…60%). Creates porosity.
4. Fossil admixtures from the environment. Change the shade of the material, giving it a unique color. Coal creates a gray and black palette; iron – pink, pastel floral; copper – blue, light blue.

GOST 4001 composition guidelines for various block sizes:

1. Measuring stones are made from low-strength rocks without traces of weathering (not affected by it). They must be free of cracks, delaminations, layers of clay, marl.
2. Rubble (SONB) are made from all types of material, including medium- and low-hardness, and the maximum clay content (which, however, is rare for shell rock) should not be higher than 2% by weight. Interlayers of marl and marl are allowed, but not more than 2%, through cracks are excluded.
3. In slab sizes, the presence of delaminations, layers of clay, and marl is excluded.

Normative base

Rakushnyak and its products are governed by GOST in the following ways:

1. 4001 – the main document on the topic. Shell for construction, wall stones.
2. For facing, architectural and construction, memorial and other products.

Where is limestone brick used??

Wall stones are covered by GOST 4001, which states that they should be used as follows:

• load-bearing walls of low-rise buildings;
• decorative walls;
• partitions;
• columns;
• details of fences, decorative fences, extensions, utility facilities, supporting walls, parapets, and other segments of structures;
• landscape, garden and park architecture.

GOST 9479 states that the following is the goal: Restrictions apply (GOST 9479):

1. Use for floor coverings, stairs, paving parts without protective layers is not allowed. Also, such a stone cannot be used for stoves, fireplaces, and other objects in contact with high temperatures, as it collapses at +250 °C.
2. Due to its softness and high ability to absorb water, shell rock is recommended to be used only for low-rise construction, that is, for buildings up to 2.5 floors. However, this is only a recommendation, an established tradition, since multi-story buildings made from it are no less common than small objects.
3. And reliability and durability can be observed in the example of the 100-year-old Naryn-Kala fortress in Derbent. To this day, there are no special traces of destruction on this structure, and this is in the region with extreme winters, high humidity.

Citation! The shell is going to be extremely popular for interior decoration, fences, residential buildings, and landscape design because these uses don’t call for extra strength and the material has excellent aesthetic qualities.

The shell complements the tree nicely. Because it contains iodine, salts, and other naturally occurring substances that are beneficial to the marine environment, it has a healing effect and creates a therapeutic microclimate. Sanatoriums in areas with a lot of shells typically have a lot of rooms made of this type. The walls from the shell rinkle will also be covered in the sections on brands and building eras.

Characteristics

The shell’s quality:

1. Strength. Different. In general, this is a soft, fragile material. But this parameter varies like wood and to concrete. Density depends on the percentage of sand and lime. If the first prevails, then the strength and hardness are low, the stone is more fragile. Each deposit has its own, unique parameters, the content of the components is always different. The classification by strength is organized by dividing into grades M15 … 35 (15, 25 and 35 kgf / cm 2 ).
2. Density 600 … 2300 kg / m 3 . This property, like the previous one, depends on the place of extraction. This characteristic and strength are checked by dropping from the height of one"s growth: if the block has not disintegrated, has not lost its integrity, then it is suitable for building a house.
3. Standard sizes of shell rock blocks are 380x180x180 mm. But usually there are always significant deviations, even exceeding (1 … 3 cm) their maximum values, prescribed in GOSTs. This feature is due to the fact that these are not bricks, not foam gas blocks, which can be formed extremely precisely.
4. The weight of one block is 7 … 35 kg depending on the brand (density).
5. Frost resistance. For harder rocks (M35) 50…60 cycles are prescribed. It will withstand up to -60 °C, which is comparable to artificial stones, for example, brick, foam and aerated concrete. But in reality it is much less, and even more so for soft varieties.
6. Water absorption – up to 17% due to high porosity (30…60%). But it should be taken into account that the stone, due to this feature, at the same time removes moisture faster, which smooths out this minus.
7. The durability of the M35 brand is more than 100 years, which is confirmed by historical objects built in regions near deposits (the same Naryn-Kala fortress in Derbent). In reality, after about 50…70 years, it is not necessary, but it can begin to crumble, lose color, weather.
8. The heat resistance is low. The material is destroyed at +250 ° C, but does not burn, does not support fire.
9. Completely environmentally friendly, consists only of organics, natural substances: calcium, silicon, iodine, sand, sea salts. The ability to absorb and accumulate radiation is absolutely absent, which distinguishes it from other natural stones and, moreover, shell rock serves as a protective barrier against it and acts as a filter from harmful substances.

Varieties

Prior to anything else, we must discuss the sizes.

By size

When thinking about standard block sizes (390x190x188 mm or 380x180x180 mm for tiles 350x170x20 mm), it is important to keep in mind that various centimeter deviations are possible. Numerous other proportions might exist.

However, they are all clearly compact, which in our situation is required for the material’s labor-intensive, quick extraction and efficient use given its unique physical and mechanical properties.

Kindly take note. Tiles are typically 35 x 17 cm in size and 2 to 3 cm thick. Most often, grade M35 is used to make it.

Brand

Blocks come in the following varieties based on brand.

M15, M10 and M7

Because of the high sand content and decreased lime volume, the lowest strength (M15 – 15 kgf/cm2, M10 – 10 kgf/cm2, and M7 – 7 kgf/cm2) was achieved. Light yellow makes up the majority of the color.

Uses: interior landscaping, rockeries, decor, and fences. Single-story structures (such as garden sheds, cottages, and shacks) are constructed from M15, and their walls are not supported by heavy loads. It is used for the room’s finishing, cladding, self-supporting partitions, and thermal insulation.

These blocks are incredibly brittle; they shatter when dropped from a height comparable to a person’s height and eventually crumble because the structure weakens and can no longer support the substantial amount of sand within. Weight reduction: 7…15 kg for bricks measuring 380x180x180 mm.

M25 and M20

The best brands, well-liked and most effective for building. Compared to M10…15, the blocks have a notably higher density (25 kgf/cm 2 and 20 kgf/cm 2). Usually, it is a yellow-gray hue. One brick (380x180x180 mm) weighs between 15 and 25 kg.

Note: When dropped on hard surfaces, it maintains its integrity. can be used to construct internal walls, partitions, and houses up to five stories high.

M35 and M30

The most robust, densest (35 kgf/cm 2 and 30 kgf/cm 2). Gray-white hue with hints of yellow. It keeps its structure even when dropped from a height that is comparable to human height as well as from a farther distance. Lime volume is maximum and sand content is minimal. 25–35 kg heavy block (380 x 180 x 180 mm).

Suitable for plinths, load-bearing walls, foundations, and building segments requiring a high degree of strength. Since these blocks are heavy and challenging to cut, their use in multi-story buildings is less common due to inconvenience, labor-intensive processing, and transportation. frequently applied to basements and septic tanks. Increased size, porosity, and cavity count do not in any way point to low strength grades. Conversely, a more brittle block might have a more cohesive structure because it has more sand, which doesn’t clog and is compressed more evenly, but it also has a more brittle, loose structure.

This pattern is not stable, though, as a lot also depends on the formation’s natural processes. That is, you should look at the manufacturer’s warranty first.

The photo demonstrates the characteristic of the variable ratio of porosity to strength that was previously mentioned: on some stones, the visible cavities are identified as M10, while on other stones, the same stone is already M30.

Crucial! Compared to M20, M35 is at least twice as heavy. The buyer will overspend on building materials and stone, the house will be overweight, and the foundation will be subjected to an undue load. As a result, walls typically use the M20–25 grade; internal partitions and fences use M15; basements and septic tanks use M35.

Form, purpose

GOST 4001 lists the following geometry options that are relevant to the blocks’ intended use:

1. Wall:
2. volumetric, dimensional facial (SOML);
3. privates (COMR).
4. Slab:
5. processed (SPO);
6. unprocessed (SPN).
7. Untreated rubble (SORB). That is, these are shapeless pieces of rock, usually chipped or mined in a similar way, without paying attention to the correctness of the geometry. However, partial processing of such products is possible.

The outer row of walls is laid using SOML volumetric wall blocks in their standard size, which have a front surface texture assigned to them; in other situations, SOMR stones are utilized.

While rubble stones are pieces, angular or round blocks of irregular geometry, measuring stones are shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped. Rubble products’ dimensions are as follows: pieces measure 100–500 mm, blocks measure 500–1000 mm; additional measurements may be possible based on a customer agreement. Processed saw stones can be rectangular or any other shape, and they are produced as plates (panels) or strips (cut, chipped).

Some products have unfinished edges. Furthermore, two types of slab blocks can have upper and lower subparallel planes that are formed by delamination or splitting, or they can have a natural origin (slabstone).

GOST standard sizes for slab stones are as follows: length and width of 50–1000 mm, thickness of 20–200 mm, or any other dimensions as decided with the customer. Wall slabs and uneven stones: Some remarks regarding sawn blocks. They are the ones that are employed in building. With the exception of the front ones, which may have both a surface and a texture—dotted, bumpy, "rocky," etc.—all faces of standard sizes must have this feature. Products made of tile must be free of marl, clay layers, and delamination.

Natural stone mining region

To begin with, it is important to note that shell rock, although extremely inexpensive, can become unprofitable if it is transported to remote locations. For this reason, homes are primarily constructed from shell rock in areas close to mining sites. For instance, Crimea, Dagestan, is home to a large number of these structures.

Crucial! The characteristics and hue of shell rock can vary depending on the quarry, nearby areas that are not too far apart, and even within the same quarry.

This includes mechanical and physical characteristics in addition to color and design. A continuous set of criteria must be followed when analyzing shell rock: strength grade, degree of frost resistance, and water absorption level.

Since shells are found in practically every coastal region and in areas where ancient salty reservoirs once existed, there are abundant shell deposits. Crimea, Dagestan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, the Rostov region, the Krasnodar region, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan are the most popular mining destinations.

Crimean

Saki is where the primary deposit is found. The stones are a classic shade of muted dirty yellowish brown, more akin to light brown. However, light gray products are also available.

Visit this link to learn more about the Crimean shell rock.

Dagestan

However, since the chemical composition of most products from different deposits does not differ significantly, this can be said about most products, like Crimean, popular, and high-quality.

Since there are many different deposits of shell rock, there is no particular point in characterizing them because they are all roughly the same quality. Any variety has the most environmentally friendly qualities and very similar properties (softness, hygroscopicity, porosity, etc.) within the same range.

Prioritizing the brand’s strength, density, resistance to frost, and other mechanical and physical attributes is crucial. There are variations in color, but they are particular; more often than not, the variations are in tones, though they can range quite widely.

Find out more about shell rock from Dagestan here.

Features of block production

In quarries, shell rock is extracted down to a mere 12 meters. These are shallow areas stretched along, not the enormous pits with which they are associated.

First, the top soil layers are removed from the surface; in this instance, they are also not very thick because the stone is frequently near the surface. Subsequently, a narrow-gauge railway is installed, and apparatus such as a small handicraft railcar-sized device with a motor for moving the cutters, or even smaller equipment like a block with a circular saw, is mounted on it.

More sophisticated machinery that moves on rails cuts shell rock from layers into ready-made cubes of a specific size. These blocks are then released from the conveyor section, where the worker picks them up and folds them.

The benefit is that most of the equipment mentioned is simple, factory-made, or handmade with only a small amount of complexity. Conventional saws are used without cooling, without diamond coating, etc. d., blasting the rock with various expensive, risky, and inventive techniques, as in the extraction of hard rocks like granite and marble, is not necessary.

Notably, of all the different kinds of stone mining work, financial investments are arguably the lowest. Two or three inexperienced persons can organize, assemble, and run the process.

Manufacturers and product prices

We list the prices here without shipping charges:

1. Crimean stone:
2. simple blocks: M15 – 18 rub./PC.; M25 – 19 rub./PC.; M35 – 21 rub. PC.;
3. facing blocks: 60…90 rub./PC.;
4. tiles: 450…700 rub./kv. m;
5. tyrsa – 300 rub. ton.

Rakushstroy-Crimea:

shell rock block – 15 rubles./PC.;

facing block – 60 rub./PC.;

tiles – 400 rub./kv. m.

Dagestan Stone (RUB)./kv. m):

Derbent, beige – 450;

Derbent, yellow – 500;

Helinobotanian, brown – 650

yellow Ruckelian – 650.

Guild of Stone (Rostov on Don, rub./kv. m, the price is higher obviously due to the distance from the mining site):

Derbent (yellow and white) – 1050;

Kayakent – ​​1300.

AKUSTONE (Dagestan shell rock):

Kayakent, yellow/gray – 850;

Rukelsky – 900;

Derbent, white/yellow – 800.

How to make building material with your own hands?

The extracted stone is already easily cut with a standard hand hacksaw, a circular saw, or a traditional liquid fuel saw. Additionally, there are unique devices that resemble the latter—in fact, they are nearly indistinguishable.

It will take a lot of time and effort to extract stone with a hand hacksaw, so you will need a chainsaw or, better yet, a hand-held circular saw. It is unnecessary to go into specifics about the procedure; all that needs to be done is locate a deposit, reach the underlying formation, remove the top layer of soil, and saw the blocks.

Differences from other species

Without much effort, you can identify shell rock:

1. Color, or rather tone, gamma of the stone. These are pastel muted shades from light brown or yellow to gray, beige.
2. The structure contains shells, their imprints and the skeletons of small marine life.
3. Porous structure resembling pumice. Sometimes the block has quite significant cavities, holes, cavities. However, there are varieties similar to sandstone, then shell imprints and more significant roughness serve as a guide for differences.
4. It is quickly and deeply saturated with moisture (but this distinguishes it only from hard stones, since, for example, this is also typical for sandstone and other types of limestone).
5. Significant roughness.
6. Saw marks are almost always visible on the sides of the blocks; this is not a drawback, but a specific feature of such products.

Here’s more information on how to tell one type of stone from another.

How to choose?

Manufacturers occasionally use a trick, usually unintentionally: while cutting blocks, the so-called tyrsa clogs their pores. Given that it is less porous, it appears that this type of stone has a higher strength grade. It’s likely that the user purchased an M15 rather than an M35 if you clean it with a wire brush or wash it with a hose.

It might be argued that weight is a good indicator of quality because the best brands are heavier, but this is untrue because moisture frequently does not have time to evaporate from stone, which is why manufacturers may ship quickly.

Vital. As we mentioned above, we also need to keep in mind that strength is not always indicated by a smoother surface.

What determines the time frame for building a house??

It is not necessary to use reinforcement for a one-story home with wooden floors. A reinforced concrete belt is poured over the shell rock if there are two floors or more with reinforced concrete slabs. Because of the unevenness of the shell, leveling it requires more labor and expensive materials; a thicker layer of mortar (two to three centimeters) is needed for each row of height. Regular masonry, like all block-shaped stone materials. Make a mixture with one bucket of cement M500, four buckets of sand, and one bucket of water. Put in 0.5 kg of plasticizer per cubic meter.

Building walls begins with the corners. Row blocks are installed after the stones have been laid out and leveled both vertically and horizontally. A ball cord is then fastened between the stones. The thickness of one and a half blocks (58 cm) or one block (38 cm) is used for load-bearing walls. In the first instance, plastering is the only option; insulation is not possible.

Outbuildings, garages, and interior partitions are built in ½ blocks (18 cm). It is advised to finish the exterior with a ventilated facade.

Additionally, they employ "two miles long" masonry, wherein plastic anchors are used to join the outer face brick segment and the inner shell rock segment, which bears the weight. One pushes mineral wool into the space between the layers.

Note for a group of two or three persons building a house box with a roof. About 50 days will pass before it is finished, or 75 days.

Natural stone known for its strength and beauty, limestone is a common and adaptable material. It is composed of the remains of marine organisms that have been compressed over millions of years and is usually found in shades of white, beige, and gray. Limestone is cut into manageable pieces, extracted from quarries, and then processed further to give it the correct shape and finish before being used to make blocks. This material is favored for building facades, flooring, and decorative elements because of its strength, workability, and classic appearance.

Shell rock or foam concrete: pros and cons

Online resources can be found that sing praises for shell rock. While this stone is commonly used in construction, it is not nearly as high-quality as some people may think. It is best suited for environmental objects and is primarily utilized in the southern regions, where its extraction sites are in close proximity. applies to multi-story buildings with up to five floors as well.

Let’s make a comparison with foam blocks, our primary rival:

Advantages of shell rock	Advantages of foam blocks
Cheapness. 1 brick of shell rock 35…60 rub.; 1 foam block – 150 rub. The first one will cost less, even despite its more compact size.	Aerated blocks are also environmentally friendly, although they contain aluminum, they are relatively light, but without the special shell properties we described.
Perhaps, after the low cost, the only significant plus is complete environmental friendliness, therapeutic effect, special microclimate.

In this regard, shell rock is unmatched because it contains valuable materials and microscopic marine elements (such as calcium carbonate, salts, and iodine). It has a bactericidal effect and filters out dangerous substances.

Strangeness! There is a misconception that a shell rock, like M35, is better suited for building a house if it is stronger and denser. This is essentially incorrect because the mass increases at the same time, which is bad for loose, soft materials.

Furthermore, these blocks are very difficult to lift and lower, which increases construction costs while having no positive effect on reliability. As a result, M25 is the most popular brand for homes.

When it comes to mechanical and physical characteristics, shells are no better than foam blocks. Furthermore, if the plan is to insulate such a house, the mineral wool needs to be adhered to a smooth surface, which means plastering. Because of its porosity, this will require a lot of solution and add an extra week or two to the process.

Further information on the benefits and drawbacks of gas blocks and shell rock:

There are those who believe that working with shell rock is more convenient. It is not easier than using foam blocks, as this statement is untrue. Either the truck body is turned over, or it is unloaded manually.

To expedite the process, a machine equipped with a small crane is used to carry the conveniently sized pallets containing aerated blocks. The expenses are nearly equal. You can easily put them both in place with your hands.

Cons of shell rock	Disadvantages of concrete foam blocks
The blocks are uneven, you will need from 2 to 5 cm of leveling compound for the walls (putty, cement-sand mixture)	Expensive.
Stones from one batch from one mining site can differ significantly in porosity, friability, that is, in strength.

Crucial! The shell is frequently ranked highest when it comes to thermal efficiency, but further research is necessary because many experts and aerated concrete home owners contend that their structures perform better in this regard.

Photo

Homes built from shell rock:

Description	Details
What is Limestone?	Limestone is a sedimentary rock primarily made of calcium carbonate, formed from the remains of marine organisms.
Typical Color	Limestone usually appears in shades of white, gray, or beige.
How Blocks are Made	Limestone blocks are created by cutting the rock into the desired shapes and sizes, then smoothing and finishing the surfaces.

Due to its durability and aesthetic appeal, limestone is a popular natural stone that can be used in a variety of ways. Its typical hues span from bright white to different tones of gray and beige, offering a plethora of choices for diverse design requirements.

Large limestone rocks are mined, chopped into small pieces, and then shaped into blocks in order to make limestone blocks. This stone is widely used for garden paths and building facades, both decoratively and for construction purposes.

Making educated decisions for building and renovation projects is facilitated by having a thorough understanding of the properties and production processes of limestone. Many architects and builders continue to favor limestone because of its inherent beauty and durability.

Video on the topic

Geology Basics: Limestone

Ledge with the whitest limestone stone

SOFTENING STONE, high-precision cutting, transportation of MEGALITHS. Technomagic of the Ancients – VERSADOCO