Peakmoor Sandstone

Technical Data Sheet
Peakmoor Sandstone
Stanton Moor, near Matlock, Derbyshire
Bolehill Quarry, Wingerworth, Derbyshire, S42 6RG
Contact : Blockstone Ltd
Tel: 01246 554440 Fax: 01246 220095
Email: [email protected]
Website : http://www.realstone.co.uk/blockstone
Grid reference : —- —-
Compiled November 1997, updated June 2000

This data sheet was compiled by the Building Research Establishment (BRE)., The data sheet was compiled in November 1997 and updated in June 2000 using BRE test results and data collected in earlier surveys. 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 Blockstone Ltd and does not represent an endorsement of the stone by BRE.

General
The quarry is on Stanton Moor on the eastern outskirts of Stanton-in-Peak, near Matlock in Derbyshire. The quarry was reopened in 1985 but it has been producing building stone since at least 1945. There are good reserves of stone.

Petrography
Peakmoor Sandstone is a Millstone Grit of Carboniferous age. It is a fine- to medium-grained stone, and varies in colour from light brown to pink. Stone is extracted from a 20m high face with average block sizes of 1500mm x 800mm 800mm.

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. Carboniferous Sandstones 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. Peakmoor Sandstone appears to be a durable stone that is not effected by acid rain or air pollution. Most sandstones have good frost resistance. The compressive strength of the stone is typical of the range for sandstones and is comparable with the stronger UK limestones. It is accepted in Germany for use in rainscreen type cladding at 40mm thick.

Overall, Peakmoor Sandstone should be suitable for use in most aspects of load bearing masonry and cladding.

Test Results – Peakmoor Sandstone

Safety
in Use
Slip Resistance (Note 1) 

Not determined

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

Not determined

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

72.5 MPa

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

7.5  MPa

Loaded perpendicular to the
bedding plane
ambient humidity 

4.8 MPa

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

16.46%

2) Saturation Coefficient (Note 3)

0.68

3) Water Absorption

5.07 % (by wt)

4) Bulk specific gravity

2210kg/m3

Resistance to Frost 
  Freeze/Thaw Test (Note 1) 

Not determined

Note: the stone Passed Test B using DIN 52
104

Resistance
to Salt
Sodium Sulphate Crystallisation Test
(Note 3)

1.07% Mean wt loss

Sodium Sulphate Crystallisation Test
(Note 14) (saturated)

No results available

Resistance to Acidity 
Acid Immersion Test(Note 4)  

Pass 

All samples passed the test with no splitting or
delamination

(Test methods Note 1 = prEN1341, Note 2 = prEN 1342, Note 3 = prEN 1341 /BRE 141, Note 4 = BRE 141, Note 5 = ASTM.

Based on BRE Test results and data supplied by the producer)

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