Copp-Crag Sandstone

Technical Data Sheet
Copp-Crag Sandstone
Copp-Crag Quarry
Dunhouse Quarry Works, Staindrop Darlington,
County Durham DL2 3QU,England
Contact : Dunhouse Quarry Ltd
Tel. +44 (0) 1833 660 208; +44 (0) 1833 660 749
FAX +44 (0) 1833 660 748
Email : [email protected]
Web site : http://www.dunhouse.co.uk
Grid reference : NY 822 995
Compiled May 2000

This data sheet was compiled by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). It is based on data from tests carried out at BRE (2000). The data sheet was compiled in May 2000. The work was carried out by BRE as part of a Partners in Technology Programme funded by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Dunhouse Quarry Co. Ltd. and does not represent an endorsement of the stone by BRE.

General
The Quarry is at Byrness and is operated by Dunhouse Quarry Ltd.. It is part of the Lower Carboniferous group of sandstones. The bed height is greater than 2m and maximum block size is 2 x 2.5 x1.5 m with a maximum supplied size of 1.5 x 2 x 1.5 m. There are suitable reserves and material can be supplied in a variety of formats.

Petrography
Copp-Crag is a yellow-brown fine grained, non-calcareous sandstone.

Expected Durability and Performance
It is important that the results from individual tests are not viewed in isolation. They should be considered together and compared to the performance of the stone in existing buildings and other uses. Sandstone is traditionally acknowledged as generally being a very durable building and paving stone and has been used extensively in many towns and cities in the UK. Copp-Crag sandstone appears to be a durable stone that will have moderate resistance to acid rain or air pollution. In addition, the slight weight lost in the sodium sulphate crystallisation test indicates moderate resistance to salt damage special consideration may be required for locations with harsher environments (for example in coastal locations or from de-icing salts). From the frost test the stone should also have good frost resistance. The compressive and flexural strength of the stone is in the lower end of the range for sandstones. The density and compressive and flexural strength indicate that the stone should be suitable for use in medium trafficked areas.

Overall, Copp-Crag should be suitable for use in general use in all aspects of construction including flooring, paving, load bearing masonry and cladding. Special consideration should be taken in uses with a very severe environment or where a long service life is needed.

Test Results – Test Results – Copp Crag

Safety
in Use
Slip Resistance (Note 1)

84

Wet Values > 40 are considered
safe. 
Abrasion Resistance
(Note 1)

Not Tested

Values <23.0 are considered
suitable for use in heavily trafficked
areas
Strength
under load
1) Compression(Note 2)

89.4 MPa

Loaded perpendicular to the
bedding plane ambient humidity
2) Bending (Note 1)

4.1 MPa

Loaded perpendicular to the
bedding plane
ambient humidity

Not Tested

Loaded perpendicular to the
bedding plane
ambient humidity
Porosity
and Water Absorption
1) Porosity (Note 3)

17.8%

2) Saturation Coefficient (Note 3)

0.57

3) Water Absorption

4.6 % (by wt)

4) Bulk specific gravity

2186kg/m3

Resistance to Frost 
Flexural
strength after
Freeze/Thaw Test (Note 1)

3.6 MPa

Loaded perpendicular
to the bedding plane
ambient humidity
Resistance
to Salt
Sodium Sulphate Crystallisation Test
(Note 3)

-0.99% Mean wt loss

Resistance to Acidity 
Acid Immersion Test(Note 4)

Pass 

(Test methods Note 1 = prEn1341, Note 2 = prEn 1342, Note 3 = prEn 1341 /BRE 141, Note 4 = BRE 141)

Tests were carried out at BRE in 2000

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