Artificial stones | Walls | forms – civillearners
Artificial stones Definition:
These are also known as cast stone or reconstructed stones. Which are produced artificially also known synthetic products.
The following procedure is generally adopted in making an artificial stone:
1) Natural stone is crushed into sizes less than 6 mm.
2) Stone dust is removed.
3) A mixture of one ad half parts of stones of size 3 mm to 6 mm, 1 ½ part of stones of size less than 3 mm and 1 part of cement by volume is prepared.
4) Necessary pigment to produce the desired colour effect is added to the above mixture. Its proportion should not exceed 15 per cent of cement by weight.
5) Water in required quantity is added and thorough mixing of materials is done.
6) The mixture thus prepared is transferred to specially constructed moulds.
7) It is allowed to harden and its surface is kept wet. Artificial stones in block form to use.
8) Polishing is done if required.
9) White cement may be used in place of ordinary cement to produce the colour of the light shade.
Also read: Quarrying of stones and natural bed of stones
Forms of artificial stones:
Artificial stones may take up various forms as follows:
1) Cement concrete :
This is a mixture of fine aggregate, cement, coarse aggregate and water. It may be cast-in-situ or pre-cast. It is widely used at present. If steel is used with cement concrete, it is known as reinforced cement concrete construction or R.C.C.
2) Mosaic tiles: 
Mosaic tiles are pre-cast tiles made of concrete, with marble chips finished at its top surface are known as mosaic tiles. They are available in different shades and are widely adopted at present.
3) Terrazo :
This is a mixture of marble chips and cement. It is used for bathrooms, residential buildings, temples, etc.
Important interview Question: Dressing of stones
Advantages of artificial stones:
Following are the advantages of artificial stones:
1) Cavities may be kept in artificial stones. These cavities are used to convey pipes, electric wires, etc.
2) Grooves can be kept in artificial stone, while it is being cast. These grooves are useful for fixing various fittings.
3) It can be cast in desired shape.
4) It can be made in a single piece and hence, the trouble of getting large blocks of stones for lintels, beams, etc. is avoided.
5) It can be made stronger than natural stone.
6) It is cheap and economical as stones of smaller sizes are profitably consumed.
7) It is more durable than natural stone.
Also, read related topics: Structure of rocks
Rock-forming minerals
