This data sheet was compiled by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). It is based on data from current tests at BRE (2000). The data sheet was compiled in May 2000. The work was carried out by BRE as part of a Partners in Technology Programme funded by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Marshalls Mono Ltd. and does not represent an endorsement of the stone by BRE.

General

Petrography 
Fletcher Bank is a buff to grey , fine to medium grained sandstone from the Millstone Grit series of Carboniferous age.

Expected Durability and Performance 
It is important that the results from the individual tests are not viewed in isolation. They should be considered together and compared to the performance of the stone in existing buildings and other uses. Sandstone is traditionally acknowledged as generally being a very durable building and paving stone and has been used extensively in many towns and cities in the UK. Fletcher Bank sandstone appears to be a durable stone that will have good resistance to acid rain or air pollution. The negligible weight loss in the sodium sulphate crystallisation test indicates high resistance to salt damage (for example in coastal locations or from de-icing salts). From the frost test the stone should have limited frost resistance. The compressive and flexural strength of the stone is mid-range for a sandstone and is comparable to many other sandstones. The density and compressive strength indicate that the stone should be suitable for use in heavily trafficked areas.

Overall, Fletcher Bank should be suitable for use in most aspects of construction including flooring, paving, load bearing masonry and cladding. Special consideration is required for areas where a long service life is needed in very cold climatic conditions. The stone is traditionally used for walling.

Test Results - Fletcher Bank Sandstone

Safety in Use
Slip Resistance (Note 1)	71	Wet. Values > 40 are considered safe.
Abrasion Resistance (Note 1)	Not tested	Values <23.0 are considered suitable for use in heavily trafficked areas
Strength under load
1) Compression(Note 2)	113.6 MPa	Loaded perpendicular to the bedding plane ambient humidity
2) Bending (Note 1)	13.7 MPa	Loaded perpendicular to the bedding plane ambient humidity
	Not tested	Loaded parallel to the bedding plane ambient humidity
Porosity and Water Absorption
1) Porosity (Note 3)	11.6%
2) Saturation Coefficient (Note 3)	0.57
3) Water Absorption	2.8% (by wt)
4) Bulk specific gravity	2354kg/m3
Resistance to Frost
Flexural strength after Freeze/Thaw Test (Note 1)	10.4 MPa	Loaded perpendicular to the bedding plane ambient humidity
Resistance to Salt
Sodium Sulphate Crystallisation Test (Note 3)	-0.77% Mean wt loss
Resistance to Acidity
Acid Immersion Test(Note 4)	Pass

(Test methods Note 1 = EN 1341, Note 2 = EN 1342, Note 3 = EN 1341 /BRE 141, Note 4 = BRE 141)

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