Stone for use in construction is normally selected after undergoing a series of rigorous tests to determine its suitability for the proposed design use. However, in some circumstances (eg fire or bomb damage, stone discolouration), it is necessary to carry out an in-situ assessment of the stone.
Sandberg has extensive stone consultancy experience in the use of stone in construction. This experience ranges from the examination and analysis of Roman mosaics (identification of the constituents to assist restoration work) to the detailed condition assessment of the internal and external stonework after a major fire at the Broadgate Development in London.
Techniques used in such stone condition assessment include detailed visual inspection and examination of stonework, joints and pointing.
Further non-destructive physical techniques may be employed where appropriate. These surveys often reveal the nature of any visible defects and will aid in the analysis of the structural integrity of the building.
In some cases, however, conclusions may not be reached from fieldwork alone and samples will need to be taken to our laboratory for detailed analysis. Such work, in the case of stone consultancy related to fire damage, might include microscopical examination of stone to detect both the alteration of the stone constituents and the presence of very fine cracking invisible to the naked eye.
Stone consultancy is carried out by a team of geologists and engineers who have extensive experience in the use of stone in both ancient and modern buildings.
For more information contact our in-house experts:
