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 Greaghnagee Quarry and does not represent an endorsement of the stone by BRE.

General
The land comprising Greaghnagee quarry is a recent acquisition and work has recently started to extract the sandstone (1999) from a small 4 acre pit on the green field site. The stone is very similar to local material and at present supply is largely confined to the locality of the quarry. Presently there are only facilities for extracting blocks at the quarry. Block sizes are of the order 0.5 x 0.5 x 1.0 (0.5 m on bed).

Petrography 
Greaghnagee sandstone is buff coloured with a pale grey weathered rind.

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 and abroad. Greaghnagee sandstone is a newly opened quarry similar to the local stone which appears to be a durable stone. The acid immersion test indicates that Greaghnagee that will have good resistance to acid rain. In addition, the negligible weight loss in the sodium sulphate crystallisation test indicates good resistance to salt damage (for example in coastal locations or from de-icing salts). From the frost test the stone should also have good frost resistance. The flexural strength of the stone is high for a sandstone. The high density and flexural strength indicate that the stone should be suitable for use in heavilty trafficked areas.

Overall, Greaghnagee sandstone should be suitable for use in most aspects of construction including flooring, paving, load bearing masonry and cladding. The traditional use of the stone has been for dry stone walling, gate pillars, lintels and sills.

Test Results - Greaghnagee Sandstone

Safety in Use
Slip Resistance (Note 1)	Not Tested	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)	Not Tested	Loaded perpendicular to the bedding plane ambient humidity
2) Bending (Note 1)	12.9 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)	11.3%
2) Saturation Coefficient (Note 3)	0.52
3) Water Absorption	2.5 % (by wt)
4) Bulk specific gravity	2357kg/m3
Resistance to Frost
Flexural strength after Freeze/Thaw Test (Note 1)	13.5 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	All samples passed the test with no splitting or delamination

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

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