Stone Quarrying

Quarry

The quarry is the type of open pit mine, the rock or minerals are extracted from the quarry. For extracting building materials such as dimension stone, construction aggregate, riprap, sand and gravel; quarries are generally used. For the requirements for large amounts of aggregate in those materials, they are collocated with concrete and asphalt.

Stone quarrying

The process of splitting the stones into usable shapes and different sizes for the process of building is known as stone quarrying. Stones from quarries have been used in all types of stone creations, and they are used in the process of constructions ranging from federal offices to farm foundations.

Types of stone quarries

In United States, stones quarries are classified into four major categories, they are boulder quarries, surface ledge quarries, commercial deep pit quarries, and subterranean quarries.  Different strategies are required for each type of quarry to dig out the stones. Quarries like commercial deep bit quarries just came after the growth of technology in hoisting stone.

Tools used for Quarrying

The tools used for stone quarrying are, plug and feather method, and flat wedge method, these two methods account for over 95% of tool marks found on quarried stone.

Stone splitting methods

Various methods have been included over the centuries for the purpose of splitting stone into pieces.  They are classified into three types, they are; blasting, plug feather method and flat wedge method.

Blasting

It is used in commercial stone quarrying and since 1970 it was getting used by formers to break up boulders in the field. Blasting boulders involves drilling a single hole in the center of the boulder. In 19^th century boulder blast holes are usually 2 inches in diameter and range from 12 to 20 inches.

Plug feather method

The early plug and feather methods involves maximum three holes. The person will drill one, two, or three holes as per boulder; the holes are one inch diameter and two to four inch deep. The shim was kept from hitting the bottom of the holes.

Flat wedge method

It requires different type of cutting tool. The cap chisel was the tool used. It uses to chip the hole instead drilling it out. A hole is wider at top; it is narrow and half inch wide. The size varies and is around 2 ½ inches at the top, 1 ¾ inches on the bottom 2 inches deep. Holes were placed every four inches across the line of intended split.

Questions:

• What is stone quarrying?
• What are types of stone quarries?