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method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this

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© Natural Stone Institute©

Natural stone is a beautiful, durable, and sustainable material with many design options and applications. However, it is critical

that the right stone be chosen for the right place. There are many factors to consider, including the material’s absorption,

resistance to abrasion, and slip resistance. In addition, many applications require the material to comply with one or more

established standards. Finally, correct installation, including the specification of appropriate anchorage systems, ensures that the

natural stone product performs as expected. This course will help design professionals confidently specify natural stone products

across a range of applications.

Upon completion of this course,

the student will be able to:

• Discuss natural stone and its most common

applications

• Explain the DCOF test

• Understand how anchorage requirements

can influence natural stone selection

• List common ASTM standards that apply to

natural stone

• Identify the potential advantages of natural

stone for both cost savings and sustainable

design

An Introduction to Natural Stone

Types of stone: granite, limestone, and marble and onyx

• Granite: igneous; composed of quartz, feldspars, and

accessory minerals

• Limestone: sedimentary; at least 50 percent calcite or

calcium carbonate

• Marble: metamorphic limestone with recrystallized

carbonate

• Onyx: sedimentary rock often formed inside caves

Photos courtesy of Egymar

Types of stone: quartz-based stones, sandstone, and

serpentine

• Quartz-based stones: sedimentary; particles cemented

with hydrous silica, iron oxide, or calcium carbonate

• Sandstone: sedimentary; usually quartz (85 to 90%) and

feldspar; soft

• Serpentine: metamorphic green or grey stone; “green

marble”

Photo Courtesy of Russell Stone Products

Photo courtesy of Raducz

Types of stone: slate, soapstone, and travertine

• Slate: metamorphic, many colors and applications

• Soapstone: talc-based metamorphic, soft and non-porous

• Travertine: special limestone formed in mineral springs

Photos courtesy of Lurvey Supply

Range of applications

• Interior:

• Horizontal: flooring, countertops

• Vertical: cladding

• Other: surrounds, mantels,

furniture

• Exterior: veneer, paving, hardscaping

Photo courtesy of Coldspring

Photo Courtesy of Vermont Quarries Corp.

Photo Courtesy of Russell Stone ProductsPhoto courtesy of Raducz

Benefits of natural stone

• Durability

• Aesthetics

• Maintenance

• Sustainability

• Occupant health and well-being

Photo courtesy of Polycor Inc.

The range of choices is wider

Photo Courtesy of World Wide Stone, LLC.

Matching stone to application: Exterior

• Strength is determining factor

• Stressors: gravity, wind, seismic forces

• Absorption: affects durability

Photo Courtesy of Russell Stone Products

Matching stone to application: Interior

• More aesthetic freedom than exterior

applications

• Vertical vs. horizontal application

• Flooring: traffic

• Countertops: staining

Photo Courtesy of Vermont Quarries Corp. Photo courtesy of Picco Engineering

Matching the stone to the application

• Aesthetics usually first consideration

• Other factors: size, thickness, durability, availability,

testing, samples, cost

• Stone failure often results from inappropriate

application

Photo courtesy of Picco Engineering

Resources for design professionals

• Dimension Stone Design Manual

• Natural Stone Resource Library

Working with accredited professionals

• Ensures stone is properly tested, specified, and installed

• Quarry rep and/or distributors work closely

• Natural Stone Institute accredits fabricators and installers

How Standards Impact the Specification of Natural Stone

ASTM and ANSI

• ASTM International

• Nonprofit founded in 1898

• Develops voluntary consensus standards for most industries

• ASTM Committee C18 develops Dimension Stone standards

• American National Standards Institute

• Nonprofit founded in 1918

When ASTM standards do and do not apply

• Structural capability: strength tests

• Weather: absorption, porosity

• Walls: anchor pull-out test

• Floors: slip resistance

Photo courtesy of the Natural Stone Institute

How ASTM standards help protect end users

• Consistency across the industry

• Protect end users from product failures

• Prevent inappropriate applications

Photo courtesy of Coldspring

ASTM resources

• Standard Guides

• Standard Terminology

• Standard Materials Specification

• Standard Test Methods

Absorption testing

Stone that absorbs water is more likely to stain

ASTM C97 measures absorption (weight of water

absorbed compared to weight of sample)

Acceptable values range from 0.20% to 12%

Strength testing

• Compressive Strength : ASTM C170

• Modulus of rupture: ASTM C99

• Flexural strength: ASTM C880

Photo Courtesy of World Wide Stone, LLC.

Flooring and abrasion resistance

• ASTM C241

• ASTM C1353

• Dimension Stone Design Manual recommendations:

• Light Traffic > 6.0

• Moderate Traffic > 7.0

• Heavy Traffic > 12.0

Photo courtesy of NC Granite

Materials that haven’t been tested

• Request testing from quarry or company

• Independent labs can perform tests and create

reports

Photo courtesy of NC Granite

Static Coefficient of Friction

• ASTM C1028: amount of force required to displace

weighted plate on wet surface

• Test doesn’t reflect real-world conditions

• Test method has been withdrawn

ANSI 326.3: Dynamic Coefficient of Friction test

• Measures amount of force required to keep object in motion as it slides across tile

• Level interior spaces: wet DCOF of 0.42 or greater

Photo Courtesy of World Wide Stone, LLC.

The limitations of DCOF

• Minimum level when floor is wet with water

• 0.42 value does not guarantee safety

• Other factors: use, spill types and frequency, slope,

surroundings

Photo courtesy of Polycor Inc

Anchorage Systems

Anchorage systems and forces

• Gravity: proportional to mass

• Wind load: positive and negative

pressure

• Seismic load: dynamic loads that

act in opposite direction to

earthquake motion

Photo courtesy of NC GranitePhotos courtesy of Picco Engineering

Types of anchorage systems

• Custom or standard

• Common failure points

• Three key load transition points

Common types of anchors

• Main purpose: attach stone to frame

• Simpler is better

• Must resist galvanic corrosion

Clip or shelf angle anchors

Bent stainless plate anchors

Aluminum extrusions

Strap anchors

Plug anchors

Filler types

Gypsum-based fillers (not

appropriate)

Cementitious fillers

Resinous fillers Elastomeric fillers Shims

The Benefits of Natural Stone

Life cycle benefits

• Long service life mitigates upfront cost

• Recyclable (either intact or as fill)

• Quarries have improved safety and

environmental responsibility

Photo Courtesy of Vermont Quarries Corp.

Natural stone and biophilia

• Connects building with local landscape

• Connects occupants with natural environment

• Biophilic design has positive health benefits

Photo courtesy of Coldspring

Healthy interiors

• Stone does not emit harmful chemicals

• Low and no-VOC sealants and chemical anchors

• GREENGUARD certification

ANSI/NSC 373

• Sustainable production standards

• Expands sustainability criteria to whole life cycle

• Developed with multiple stakeholders

Photo courtesy of Coldspring

Qualifying for certification under NSF 373

• Company must meet 18 requirements

• Bronze, silver, gold, and platinum certification

• Recertification every three years

Green building programs

• LEED: Material Resources credit

• Living Building Challenge: Materials Petal

• IgCC: Recognizes NSF as approved standard for materials selection

Thank you for your interest in understanding the benefits of specifying

natural stone. This concludes the American Institute of Architects

Continuing Education Systems Course.

Please contact the Natural Stone Academy directly if you have any questions about

the material presented here.

Natural Stone Academy contact information:

Website: www.naturalstoneinstitute.org

Phone: (440) 250-9222

Email: education@naturalstoneinstitute.org

• Relevant ASTM Standards: https://www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/designprofessionals/astm/

• Accreditation: https://www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/accreditation/why-select-an-accredited-company/

• Natural Stone Resource Library: http://pubs.naturalstoneinstitute.org/resources/library/index.cfm

• Dimension Stone Design Manual

• Dimension Stone Test Methods, Standards, and Guides:

https://www.stonesofnorthamerica.com/technical/Dimension_Stone_Test_Methods_Guides_and_Standards.pdf

• Testing Frictional Properties of Natural Stone Walking Surfaces

• http://pubs.naturalstoneinstitute.org/pub/977637c3-e1ee-32ea-7fdb-a8c2ba0e8126