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 George Graham Sons & Co. and does not represent an endorsement of the stone by BRE.

General
The quarry was first worked in 1897 and there are good reserves of stone. There is 4.5 m of overburden above a 1.2 face yielding 0.1 - 0.125 m thick material with beds giving 0.6 - 0.9 m of material below this. The maximum block size is about 3 x 1.5 x 0.9 m, 0.9m on bed.

Petrography 
Hillhouse edge is a hard york stone from the Millstone Grit of the Carboniferous age. It is fine to medium grained and fawn in colour with some brown speckling.

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. Hillhouse Edge sandstone appears to be a durable stone that will have good resistance to acid rain or air pollution. In addition, the negligible weight loss in the sodium sulphate crystallisation test indicates good resistance to salt damage under normal conditions. The higher weight loss in the harsher saturated sodium sulphate crystallisation test indicates that some care is required in more aggressive conditions (for example in coastal locations or from de-icing salts). From the frost test the stone should also have good frost resistance. The compressive and flexural strength of the stone is mid-range for a sandstone and is comparable with many sandstones. The density and compressive strength indicate that the stone should be suitable for use in moderate to heavily trafficked areas.

Overall, Hillhouse Edge 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 harsh salty environments.

Test Results - Hillhouse Edge

Safety in Use
Slip Resistance (Note 1)	73	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)	124.7 MPa	Loaded perpendicular to the bedding plane ambient humidity
2) Bending (Note 1)	13.7 MPa	Loaded perpendicular to the bedding plane ambient humidity
	12.6 MPa	Loaded parallel to the bedding plane ambient humidity
Porosity and Water Absorption
1) Porosity (Note 3)	11.5%
2) Saturation Coefficient (Note 3)	0.66
3) Water Absorption	3.2% (by wt)
4) Bulk specific gravity	2371kg/m3
Resistance to Frost
Flexural strength after Freeze/Thaw Test (Note 1)	13.0 MPa	Loaded perpendicular to the bedding plane ambient humidity
Resistance to Salt
Sodium Sulphate Crystallisation Test (Note 3)	-1.13% Mean wt loss
Sodium Sulphate Crystallisation Test (Note 3) (saturated)	51% Mean wt loss
Resistance to Acidity
Acid Immersion Test(Note 4)	Pass

(Test methods Note 1 = prEn1341, Note 2 = prEn 1342, Note 3 = prEn 1341 /BRE 141, Note 4 = BRE 141)

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