Technical Data Sheet
Baxtonlaw Sandstone
Baxtonlaw Quarry, Co. Durham
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 : NZ 141 183
Compiled September 1997, updated June 2000
This data sheet was compiled by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). Where possible, data collected in earlier surveys has been used to help interpret the test results. The data sheet was compiled in September 1997 and updated in June 2000 using the results of tests carried out to the proposed European Standards. 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 located at Hunstandworth, Weardale.
Petrography
The stone is a pale-cream yellow sandstone from the Millstone Grit Series (Carboniferous). The stone is formed from fine quartz grains of even texture. The grain size is consistently less than 0.2mm and no large grain, pores or flaws were seen in the sample. The bedding planes are closely spaced (<15mm) and delineated by darker minerals of the same grain size. The mineralogy is dominanted by quartz and white mica. There is some secondary orange-brown iron staining that cross-cuts the bedding.
Expected Durability and Performance
It is important that the results from the 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. Sandstones from the Millstone Grit series are traditionally acknowledged as generally being a very durable building and paving stone and have been used extensively in many towns and cities in the UK. Baxtonlaw sandstone appears to be a very durable stone that is not effected by acid rain or air pollution. The low weight lost in the harsh saturated sodium sulphate crystallisation test indicates good resistance to salt damage (for example in coastal locations or from de-icing salts) and the stone seems to have good frost resistance. The strength of the stone is comparable with other sandstones. The abrasion resistance is comparable with hard wearing limestones and with some York paving stones and should be suitable for use in heavily trafficked areas.
Overall, Baxtonlaw should be suitable for use in most aspects of construction including flooring, paving, load bearing masonry and cladding.
Test Results – Test Results – Baxtonlaw Sandstone
(Test methods Note 1 = EN1341, Note 2 = EN 1342, Note 3 = EN 1341 /BRE 141, Note 4 = BRE 141, Note 5 = Based on earlier BRE data)
Tests were carried out at BRE in 1997. N.D. = not determined