What is shell rock and what is it like?

A wide variety of materials are used in the construction industry. One of them is shell rock. Today in our article we will look at its main characteristics and distinctive features.

Shell rock (or shell rock) is a natural stone. The material can be classified as limestone, as it is formed from mineral residues of various origins. In fact, shell rock is the fossilized remains of shells, skeletons, shells, sand and other rocks that form an integral rock. It is believed that this material appeared more than 500 million years ago. In order for shell rock to be used in construction, it is formed into special blocks (for example, brick or tile).

It is believed that the deposits of shell rock date back to the Devonian, Carboniferous and Jurassic periods. The origin of the stone is natural. As for the deposits of the material, then in large quantities it is found in those territories that in ancient times and for a long period of time were covered by the seas and oceans. After the water receded, a large number of shell rock deposits remained on the surface of the earth. Accordingly, it can be concluded that the stone is being mined in coastal areas.

Like many other building materials, natural shell rock has many unique characteristics. It should be borne in mind that such properties are both positive and negative. Before purchasing and using the material, you must carefully evaluate all the pros and cons.

First of all, consider the benefits of a limestone stone.

• Ecological cleanliness. This characteristic is one of the most important. Due to the ecological purity of the shell rock, it can be used to build a variety of structures, while they will not harm the people living in them.
• Inertia... This chemical property of the material indicates that the shell rock does not react with neighboring substances. Thus, you can use any other materials in conjunction with shell rock.
• Long service life. Quite often, shell rock is used for facing and finishing stairs, terraces and other common areas. First of all, this is due to the fact that the stone is very dense and hard in terms of its properties, it is resistant to the negative influences of the external environment. In addition, shell rock is resistant to high temperatures.
• Safe composition. The composition of the material includes components such as iodine and salt, which not only do not harm human health, but, on the contrary, have a positive effect on it (for example, strengthen the immune system, eliminate signs of stress, increase energy levels, etc.). ).
• Noise isolation... Due to this property, shell rock can be used for the construction of buildings for any purpose.
• Simple processing process... You do not need special knowledge or skills to process shell rock. The material lends itself even to a beginner - it can be quickly and easily cut into slabs of the size you need (all you need is a hand saw). It is also important to note the fact that you do not have to carry out additional processes to level the outer surface of the material. This can be done with a bonding mortar.
• Radiation resistance. Shell rock is a strong and reliable protective barrier against radiation.
• Porous structure. Due to the presence of this property, the shell rock will protect the room from the appearance of dampness. The porous structure prevents moisture from retaining inside the stone.
• Affordable price. The budgetary cost makes shell rock an affordable building material for almost every person.

Despite the presence of such a large number of advantages, it is also important to note the existing disadvantages of the material.

• Fragility... In the process of transporting, storing and using shell rock, you must be as careful and attentive as possible. This is due to the fact that it breaks down and collapses rather quickly and easily.
• Low load-bearing capacity. Because of this, special care should be taken when using stone if you are building a building with multiple floors. In this case, builders usually use a special armosh, which is a wire mesh and a cement mortar screed.
• Inhomogeneous structure... During the buying process, special care should be taken to buy stones from the same batch. This is due to the fact that shell rock from different batches can have different characteristics and composition.

According to the standards that are spelled out in such an official document as GOST, the material should include the following components:

• calcium carbonate is the main one, its volume fraction must be at least 52%;
• magnesium oxide affects the color of the stone, its content in the shell rock varies from 1% to 2%;
• carbon dioxide forms a special porous structure of shell rock and makes up about 40% of the total volume of the stone;
• additional impurities (this category includes coal, iron, copper and other components).

The usual size of a stone is 18 by 38 by 38 cm. At the same time, the weight indicators may vary depending on the brand (the minimum value is 15 kilograms). It is also worth keeping in mind the fact that the shell has a seamless texture. The density index is 2.1 grams per cubic centimeter, and the thermal conductivity is at the level of 0.3-0.8 W / m per K.

Today, experts distinguish several varieties and brands of shell rock (for example, gray or polished). They all differ from each other in their internal characteristics (physical and chemical), as well as in appearance.

Varieties of material:

• oolitic (such a shell rock contains a large number of spherical elements, due to which in its appearance it resembles caviar);

• stone type travertine consists of sedimentary calcite;

• variety "Meotis" differs in the correct arrangement of pores, which look like honeycombs;

• yellow shell rock does not contain any impurities;

• if the material contains a large amount of calcium, then it is called white;

• pink shell rock is a material with a high iron content.

Let's take a closer look at the existing brands of shell rock.

• M-15 grade (15 kgf / cm2). The distinctive characteristics of this brand include a low level of strength, high porosity and a high sand content (compared to lime). The external color of the material is light yellow. Most often, this brand is used for the construction of fences and utility buildings.It should be borne in mind that the M15 shell is very fragile and brittle, and it is also light in weight.

• M-25 grade (25 kgf / cm2)... This brand of shell rock is considered the most widespread and popular, it is in great demand among consumers. The block weighs about 20 kilograms. The material is quite durable in its properties.

• M-35 grade (35 kgf / cm2). Among all the brands that have been described above, this variety is considered the strongest and most durable, the level of porosity of the shell rock is low. The external color of the stone can vary from gray-white to yellow. The grade contains a small amount of sand (compared to limestone). By weight, the stone is quite heavy, its mass can reach 35 kilograms. Rakushnyak of this brand is used for the construction of foundations and multi-storey buildings.

The choice of shell rock should be approached as carefully and responsibly as possible. You must remember that the building material plays an important role and has a great influence on the final result of construction work. One way or another, when choosing a material, you must adhere to the advice and recommendations of specialists.

• Appointment... First of all, you should think about the purposes for which you will use the stone. So, for example, if you are going to build a small house (1 or 2 floors), then you should choose the M-25 brand. For more reliable and durable structures (for example, a foundation), choose the M-35 brand. Variety M-15 is often used for interior partitions.
• Appearance... In the process of choosing and purchasing a stone, it is very important to make sure that the shell rock is intact, does not have chips or any other defects. If there are any, it is recommended to cancel the purchase.
• Place of purchase... To buy shell rock, contact specialized hardware stores. For guidance and advice, consult a qualified sales consultant.

Generally speaking, shell rock is an almost universal material, as it is used in a wide variety of areas of human activity. Let's take a look at some of them.

• Most often, shell rock is used in the construction field: for example, for the construction of fences and baths, for facing surfaces in the interior, etc.
• Shellfish is popular facing material... First of all, this is due to the fact that a wide variety of decorative elements and crafts can be made from stone: for example, cornices or columns.
• Experienced builders use the material as insulation. The stone is especially relevant if the walls of the house were originally made of bricks.
• Very often shell rock is used in landscape design. The stone is used to create various decorative compositions.
• The stone can be used to decorate the aquarium (for turtles, fish, snails).
• Shell rock can be used to make material such as tyrsa.

This way you can make sure that stone is an irreplaceable material in many fields. Professional builders cannot do without it. Shellwood is a popular building material that has many unique properties and characteristics that distinguish it from any other material. It is especially important to approach the choice of shell rock carefully, since there are several varieties and grades of material, each of which is intended for one purpose or another.

In the next video, you will find the pros and cons of shell rock.