Technical Data Sheet
Shire Sandstone
Shire Hill Quarry
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 using 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 and Blockstone Ltd and does not represent an endorsement of the stone by BRE.
General
The quarry is in Derbyshire, near to the town of Glossop. Shire Hill quarry is operated by Blockstone Ltd. on the behalf of Marchington Stone Ltd.. Shire Hill stone is supplied as random block with sizes up to 2 x 1 x 1 m. The quarry has plenty of reserves.
Petrography
Shire Sandstone is of Carboniferous age from the Mill stone grit series (Namurian). It is a medium – grained hard stone, buff to grey in colour with some clay holes present. The average block size is 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. Shire Hill Sandstone appears to be a durable stone that is not effected by acid rain or air pollution and like most sandstones it is expected have good frost resistance. The small weight loss in the harsh saturated sodium sulphate crystallisation test indicates good resistance to salt damage (for example in coastal locations or from de-icing salts). The compressive and flexural strength of the stone is towards the upper end of the range for sandstones.
Overall, Shire Hill should be suitable for use in most aspects of construction including flooring, paving, load and bearing masonry. The stone is suitable for areas where a long service life is needed. The stone is mostly used for paving, walling, ashlar, steps, heads, sills, jambs, mullions and lintels.
Test Results – Shire Hill
(Test methods Note 1 = EN1341, Note 2 = EN 1342, Note 3 = EN 1341 /BRE 141, Note 4 = BRE 141, Note 5 = ASTM.
All based on data supplied by the producer)