Building stones have different diversity, texture, structure and formation conditions. These properties can be identified by stone analysis. Stone analysis is an operation performed through a variety of chemical, physical and mechanical tests. For example, through chemical experiments, the chemical composition of rocks can be obtained and the harmful compounds in them, such as pyrite, large parts of mica, talc, etc., can be detected. The importance of stone analysis is tell the fact that based on the results of stone analysis, it can be determined where any stone can or cannot be used.

The concept of the word analysis

Before we tell about what stone analysis is, let's look at the word analysis itself. Analysis means analyzing a set of its components and analyzing those components and exploring them.

What is stone analysis called?

Stone analysis is the determination of stone standards during various experiments on it. The mechanical, physical and chemical properties of the stone make the standard of the stone. According to this standard, it is possible to determine where each stone can be used or not. Stone analysis is very important for building stones, because building stones have many different uses. Based on these applications, the strength of the stone against factors that are more prominent in each of these areas should be tested and determined in different parts, including interior, exterior and paving; for example, it should be determined that the stone is against natural factors such as What resistance does sunlight and rain or artificial factors such as detergents show?

Importance of stone analysis

Most of the experiments performed in stone analysis measure the characteristics, physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the stone, such as water absorption, compressive strength, flexible strength, and so on. With these experiments, consumers are helped to select the stone they want according to the stone analysis. Of course, it is worth noting that if the analysis of the stone shows that the stone does not meet the required standards, it does not mean that the relevant stone is not practical. There are ways to make stone usable. For example, you can cut and use the same stone with a greater thickness, or instead of grinding the stone, you can use it in a different way; for example, you can use a bush hammer and an ax or use the stone carcass in construction.

What is the use of stone analysis?

Analysis is used to determine the appropriate rock for different environments and neighborhoods. When the characteristics of the stones used in the building are tested by stone analysis, the stones are used properly in their proper place and in the short term they suffer from  wear, corrosion and other defects that shorten the life of the stone and need to be replaced. It certainly won't. For example, rock analysis is essential for rocks used in areas adjacent to brackish waters. The stones selected for the exterior of the building must also be analyzed to measure the amount of water absorption in them.

What is considered and diagnosed in stone analysis?

Here are some important features for building stones that are known in the world and are used to determine the standard of stone:

1 - tensile strength

2 - The amount of water absorption

3 - Compressive strength

4 - abrasion resistance

5 - Special weight

6 - Breakage model

7 - Porosity

These properties are investigated by various experiments during the stone analysis process. Physical and chemical tests are performed for the analysis of building stone in terms of technical characteristics. Physical and chemical experiments are selected and performed based on the type, structure, and minerals that make up the rock. Through chemical experiments, the chemical composition of rocks is determined. Chemical analysis shows harmful rock compounds. Physical stone testing also shows criteria such as specific gravity of the rock, compressive strength, abrasion resistance, porosity, and so on.

The reason for examining the specific gravity of a rock in stone analysis is to determine its susceptibility; rocks with a specific gravity of less than 1.8 are not well subdued, and if the specific gravity of the rock is higher than 2.2, its subordination is high.

Water absorption is one of the most important factors in determining the quality of stone for use in certain areas. The low level of water absorption in the rock indicates its higher quality. Water absorption is also dependent on porosity. Porosity is the volume of empty spaces in a rock. More porosity means higher rock absorption and less pressure tolerance. Compressive strength and flexural strength are also called stone resistance to external pressures and flexural pressures; however, the two have nothing to do with each other.

If the flexural strength of the stone is not sufficient, it will crack due to leakage or vibration. The flexural strength is affected by moisture and has the opposite ratio; that is, high humidity reduces the flexural strength. The importance of abrasion resistance is quite obvious because when the stone is used where it is exposed to abrasion, such as stairs, floors, etc., abrasion resistance plays an important role in the durability of the stone. Abrasion resistance is affected by the state of the minerals in the rock and its granulation.