Streatlam Buff Sandstone

Technical Data Sheet
Streatlam Buff Sandstone
Streatlam Buff 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 141 183
Compiled May 2000

This data sheet was compiled by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). It is based on data from current tests 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 situated at Moresby, Whitehaven.

Petrography
Pale yellow fine to medium grained, non-calcareous sandstone with brown staining liesegang rings.

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. 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. Streatlam Buff sandstone appears to be a durable stone that will have good resistance to acid rain or air pollution. In addition, the moderate weight loss in the sodium sulphate crystallisation test indicates moderate resistance to salt damage (for example in coastal locations or from de-icing salts). From the frost test the stone should also have high frost resistance. The compressive and flexural strength of the stone is in the lower third for a sandstone and is comparable with many sandstones. The compressive strength indicates that the stone should be suitable for use in heavy to medium trafficked areas.

Overall, Streatlam Buff should be suitable for use in many aspects of construction including flooring, paving, load bearing masonry and cladding. Special consideration may be require where a long service life in very exposed conditions is required.

Test Results – Streatlam Buff

Safety
in Use
Slip Resistance (Note 1)

82

Wet 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)

78.6 MPa

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

9.7 MPa

Loaded perpendicular to the
bedding plane
ambient humidity

Not Determined

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

14.8%

2) Saturation Coefficient (Note 3)

0.72

3) Water Absorption

4.7 % (by wt)

4) Bulk specific gravity

2277kg/m3

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

10.4 MPa

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

1.08% 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

Return to Stones Glossary