Artificial building stones

Artificial building stones

          These are also known as cast stones or reconstructed stones. Artificial stones may take up various forms such as

    a.       Cement concrete: This is the mixture of cement, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates and water. It may be cast in siteor pre-cast if steel is used with cement concrete, it is known as reinforced cement concrete.

b.    Mosaic tiles: Pre-Cast concrete tiles with marble chips at top surface are known as tiles. They are available in different shades and widely adopted at present.

c.     Terrazo : This is a mixture of marble chips and cement. It is used for bathrooms residential buildings, temples etc.

Advantages of artificial stones:

1.      Cavities may be kept in artificial stones to convey pipes, electric wires etc.

2.      Grooves can be kept in artificial stone while it is being cast which are useful for fixing various fittings.

3.      It can cast in desired shape

4.      It can be made in a single piece and hence trouble of getting large blocks of stone for lintels, beams etc is avoided.

5.      It can be made stronger than natural stone

6.      It is cheap and economical

7.      It is more durable than natural stone

8.      Natural bed is absent in artificial stones and hence, the question of taking precautions with respect to the natural bed of stones does not arise.