Wattscliffe Lilac Gritstone

Technical Data Sheet
Wattscliffe Lilac Gritstone
Wattscliffe Quarry, near Elton, Derbyshireshire
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 about three-quarters of a mile from Elton on the road from Elton to Alport. It was opened in the 19th century to supply grindstones. Records show that it has been used for buildings since at least 1926.

Petrography
Wattscliffe Lilac Gritstone is a sandstone is from the Millstone Grit of Carboniferous age. It is a fine- to medium-grained stone, lilac to pink in colour with occasional buff/white intrusions. The average block sizes are 2000mm x 1000mm x 1000mm.

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 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. Wattscliffe Gritstone appears to be a durable stone that is not effected by acid rain or air pollution. Most sandstones have good frost resistance. The failure in the harsh saturated sodium sulphate crystallisation test usually indicates susceptibility to salt damage (for example in coastal locations or from de-icing salts) but evidence from use on the coast in the north-west of England shows that it performs well in this type of environment. The compressive strength of the stone is typical of the range for sandstones and is comparable with that for the stronger UK limestones.

Overall, Wattscliffe should be suitable for use in most aspects of load bearing masonry and cladding but should not be used in areas where a long service life is needed in locations with a high salt concentrations.

Test Results – Wattscliffe

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)

79.1 MPa

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

4.8  MPa

Loaded perpendicular to the
bedding plane
ambient humidity

7.6  MPa

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

12.49%

2) Saturation Coefficient (Note 3)

0.64

3) Water Absorption

3.44 % (by wt)

4) Bulk specific gravity

2312kg/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) 

-0.44% Mean wt loss

Sodium Sulphate Crystallisation Test
(Note 14) (saturated)

 Mean wt loss

All cubes failed before the end of
the test
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.)

All based on BRE 1986 data and data supplied by the producer)

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