Chilmark Limestone

Technical Data Sheet
Chilmark Limestone
Wessex Dimensional Stone Ltd
Teffont Quarry, Chilmark
Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 5BP

T 01722 716815 F 01722 716818 E [email protected]
Grid Reference: SU 049 298
Compiled March 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 1999 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 the Rare Stone Group and does not represent an endorsement of the stone by BRE.

General
The stone is mined near Teffont, close to the A30 in Wiltshire. The stone has a long history and was used extensively at Salisbury Cathedral. The maximum block size is 2700 x 1200 x 500mm.

Petrography
The stone is a fine grained dense glauconitic limestone from the Portlandian formation (Jurassic). It is usuall a greenish grey colour.

Expected Durability and Performance
It is important that the results from the sodium sulphate crystallisation tests are not viewed in isolation. They should be considered with the results from the porosity and water absorption tests and the performance of the stone in existing buildings. Stone from Chilmark has been used for many years in a wide range of locations. The low saturation co-efficient indicates a stone that will have good resistance to weathering. The crystallisation test results show the stone to be Class A which BRE Report 141 suggest is suitable for most uses and that it should have good resistance to both salt and frost. Based on current research it seems likely that the stone would weather at a rate of between 1 and 2 mm per 100 years but it could be greater in severe exposures or on the edges of stonework. The strength is at the top end of the range for limestones.

Test Results – Chilmark (Chilmark Mine)

Safety
in Use
Slip Resistance (Note 1)

N.D.

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

N.D.

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

131.5 MPa

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

N.D.

Loaded perpendicular to the
bedding plane
ambient humidity

N.D.

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

7.6%

2) Saturation Coefficient (Note 3)

0.65

3) Water Absorption

1.97% (by wt)

4) Bulk specific gravity

2496kg/m3

Resistance to Frost 
Freeze/Thaw Test (Note 1)

N.D.

Resistance to Salt
Sodium Sulphate Crystallisation Test
(Note 3)

-0.20% Mean wt loss

(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 1997-98. N.D. = not determined

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