14 September 2005 Sandstone Australia International 7 Disney Avenue KEILOR EAST VIC 3033 Attention: Mr. Harry Behncke EVALUATION OF GRAMPIAN SAND SANDSTONE CLIENT REFERENCE Request H. Behncke OUR REFERENCE GRA08051 Part 2 INVESTIGATING OFFICER James P. Mann, Graham Baggs & Ian Pontifex Stone Initiatives shall not be liable for loss, cost, damages or expenses incurred by the client, or any other person or company, resulting from the use of any information or interpretation given in this report. In no case shall Stone Initiatives be liable for consequential damages including, but not limited to, lost profits, damages for failure to meet deadlines and lost production arising from this report. This document shall not be reproduced except in full and relates only to the items tested. Samples will be stored for thirty days. Page 1 of 11 Stone Initiatives + Materials Testing Group Pty Ltd ABN: 82 462 051 744 P.O. Box 906 ACN: 106 166 296 (1 Pitt Lane, Mount Barker Road) Littlehampton Phone: +61 8 83916844 South Australia 5250 Fax: +61 8 83916855 Mobile: 0400 251 020 Web: www.stonemtg.com.au Email: info@stonemtg.com.au
1. INTRODUCTION A request was received from the client to carry out a series of tests on supplied samples of Grampian Sand sandstone. 2. TEST PROGRAM The appropriate specimens were prepared by Stone Initiatives from the supplied samples and the following test work was undertaken: Water Absorption Bulk Specific Gravity Flexural Strength Compressive Strength Resistance to Salt Attack Petrographic Examination Bulk specific gravity and water absorption were determined in accordance with ASTM C97 02 "Standard Test Methods for Absorption and Bulk Specific Gravity of Dimension Stone". The specimens had been dried at 60 ± 2 C for 48 hours followed by soaking at 22 ± 2 C for a further 48 hours. The flexural strength of each specimen was determined in accordance with ASTM C88098 "Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone. The dry specimens had been dried at 60±2 C for 48 hours prior to testing. The soaked specimens had been immersed in water for 48 hours at 22±2 C. Unconfined Compressive strength was determined in accordance with ASTM C17090 (1999) Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone. The dry specimens had been dried at 60±2 C for 48 hours prior to testing. The soaked specimens had been immersed in water for 48 hours at 22±2 C. Resistance to salt attack was determined according to Method A of AS/NZS 4456.10:2003 "Masonry Units and Segmental Pavers Methods of Test Method 10: Determining Resistance to Salt Attack. This involved subjecting the specimens to 15 cycles of soaking in a 6.2% sodium sulphate solution for a period of 2 hours followed by overnight drying at 65 C. On completion of the cycling the weight loss was determined by filtering the residue collected. Petrographic examination was undertaken on a thin section prepared from a representative sample of the stone. The thin section was examined by transmitted light microscopy. 14 September 2005 Page 2 of 11
3. RESULTS Results are summarised in the table below; typical results for Wondabyne Sandstone and Mountain Gold Sandstone are given as a comparison. Full test data are detailed in Appendix A of this report. Property Grampian Sand Sandstone Wondabyne Sandstone (typical 1 ) Mountain Gold Sandstone (typical 2 ) Bulk Specific Gravity (kg.m 3 ) 2219 ~2290 ~ 2270 Water Absorption (mean) % by weight % by volume 3.5 7.7 ~3.75 ~8.6 ~4.9 ~11.1 Flexural Strength (MPa) Dried Strength Soaked Strength 4.6 3.7 ~3.6 ~2.8 Compressive Strength Dried Strength (MPa) Soaked Strength (MPa) 104.4 73.6 ~54 ~30 ~42 ~23 Resistance to Salt Attack Weight Loss (wt %) Mode of Decay 2.5% Moderate surface pitting 1 As published on Gosford Quarries website 2 As published on Melocco website 14 September 2005 Page 3 of 11
Petrographic Examination Grampian Sand Sandstone Medium grained feldspathicquartz sandstone. Essentially massive with quite well sorted angular grains inherently interlocking to form a compact strong rock. Colour very pale (creamy)brown, with slightly darker planar bedding laminations defined by sparse discontinuous weakly limonitestained interstitial claysericite. Handspecimen Macroscopically, this is a very pale (indeed creamy) brown fine grained sandstone, basically massive and homogeneous, except for slightly darkerbrown (weakly limonitic) planar bedding laminations. Petrography Petrographically, this sandstone consists of a homogeneous compact aggregate of angular sand grains of quartz and feldspar, size range 0.1mm to 0.4mm, quite well sorted with a substantial majority of average size grains about 0.2mm size. These grains form a tight compact aggregate with well developed inherent interlocking, <5% porosity, but negligible evidence of quartz grain overgrowths. The rock forming detrital grains, and minor interstitial material are listed as follows, with visual estimates of abundance. Component Approx. vol. % of whole sample Quartz 50% Kspar (clouded by unaltered) 30% Plagioclase <5% Lithic grains, of mixed claysericite and ultrafine quartz 5% Detrital muscovite flakes 3% Tourmaline grains <1% Limonite staining is very pale yellowishbrown, within sparse extremely fine claysericite, widespread but somewhat discontinuously interstitial. Slightly darker limonite forms the poorly defined planar bedding laminations noted in the handspecimen ~7% Interstitial porosity <5% This massive compact aggregate of medium sized quartz > feldspar grains constitutes a relatively strong sandstone homogeneous, massive and without any apparent potentially structural weaknesses. 14 September 2005 Page 4 of 11
4. DISCUSSION 4.1 Water Absorption / Bulk Specific Gravity The mean water absorption of the Grampian Sand sandstone was determined to be 3.5% by weight, this compares favourably with both Wondabyne and Mountain Gold sandstone which typically have a slightly higher absorption level. A lower water absorption capacity generally reduces the risk of staining and the establishment of biological growths as well as assisting in the stone s durability. The mean bulk specific gravity of the sandstone was determined to be 2219 kg/metre 3, this figure is similar but slightly lower than both Wondabyne and Mountain Gold. 4.2 Flexural Strength The mean flexural strength of the Grampian Sand sandstone was found to be 4.6 MPa dried and 3.7 MPa in a soaked condition. These strengths are superior to Mountain Gold and even though no results are available for Wondabyne it is also likely to be similar to this sandstone in a soaked condition if the published modulus of rupture results 3 are used as a guide.. The results make the stone suitable for consideration for both residential commercial projects such as paving and veneer cladding given standard engineering practices are carried out. 4.3 Compressive Strength The mean compressive strength of the sandstone was found to be 104.4 MPa dried and 73.6 MPa in a soaked condition. These results are significantly higher than both Wondabyne and Mountain Gold sandstone. Although compressive strength is not usually of concern, the high strength will assist in durability and impact resistance. 4.3 Resistance to Salt Attack (Durability) The mean weight loss of the Grampian Sand sandstone was determined to be 2.5% by weight. This gives the stone an B Grade durability classification that is considered suitable for locations where it may be exposed to intermittent wetting and drying or moderate level salt attack. The mode of decay was classified as moderate surface pitting; importantly the samples did not show any sign of cracking, crumbling or exfoliation which would affect the structural integrity of the sandstone 4.4 Petrographic Examination The sandstone is composed predominantly of quartz (50%) and kfeldspar (30%) with a minor amount of claysericite (~12% 4 ) and porosity (<5%). The sandstone has a wellsorted medium grain size and is well packed and interlocked which contributes to its strength. No expansive clays or any other minerals that may affect the dimensional stability or performance of the stone were detected. 3 Gosford Quarries website states modulus of rupture results of 9.6 MPa dried and 4.5 MPa soaked. 4 Present as lithic grains and interstitially. 14 September 2005 Page 5 of 11
5. SUMMARY From the testing carried out the following comments can be made regarding the Grampian Sand Sandstone. The sandstone has a moderate water absorption that is comparable to or superior to sandstones of similar appearance available on the market. The durability of the stone, as shown by the resistance to salt attack test results show the sandstone is suitable for use in areas subject to moderate salt attack or intermittent wetting and drying. The flexural strength results make the stone suitable for use as domestic exterior wall cladding and commercial and domestic paving (given that proper engineering design is carried out). The petrographic examination did not detect any unstable or deleterious minerals. Although the abrasion resistance index was not determined, the general hardness and compact texture of the stone indicates that the stone is likely to have a relatively high abrasion resistance for a sandstone which would make it suitable for areas such as commercial plazas or walkways. Abrasion resistance testing should be carried out to confirm suitability. 14 September 2005 Page 6 of 11
Appendix A Test Data (4 pages) 14 September 2005 Page 7 of 11
14 September 2005 Page 8 of 11
14 September 2005 Page 9 of 11
14 September 2005 Page 10 of 11
14 September 2005 Page 11 of 11