Stone

By the end of this module you will be able to understand:

• The historical evolution of traditional building materials
• The considerations influencing the choice of building materials throughout history
• The social consequences of material specification
• The key differences in the production of stone, steel, timber, brick and concrete
• The minimal environmental impact of quarrying
• The characteristics of traditional structural materials and how stone offers a sustainable and flexible alternative
• The properties that make stone a low-carbon, durable and structurally powerful material
• How stone is strength tested
• Innovative stone building techniques including the use of stone columns and beams
• Safety and regulatory considerations pertinent to using stone as a structural material
• The future of stone as a construction material
• How to source and select stone