Specific weight of granite, its characteristics, types and weight calculations

Everyone connected with construction knows such a strong building material as granite. Granite is one of the most common rocks and is a granular crystalline igneous rock of a massive type. This material is formed through the cooling and solidification of magma melt at great depth. Its formation is also possible during metamorphism, that is, during the granitization of different types of rocks.

Table of the specific weight of granite

The weight of granite depends on the cutting parameters, dimensions and weight of the stone block formed by processing granite stone. The average dimensions of the processed material range from 0.5x1.9 meters to 2.5x3 meters. The standard thickness of granite products is 20 mm and 30 mm. Knowing the dimensions and thickness, as well as the average specific weight of granite, which ranges from 2700 to 3000 kg/m³, it is possible to calculate the weight of the product. For example, when using granite products measuring 2500x1800x20 mm, all indicators must be multiplied together: 2.5*1.8*0.02*2.9 = 0.261 t = 261 kg. This will be the required weight of granite.

For greater convenience, below is a table of granite weight calculated per square meter:

Characteristics of granite

Granite gained popularity in construction due to its great strength. A comparison with its closest competing material, marble, showed that granite is approximately twice as strong. This is due to the presence of quartz in its composition. Thanks to its origin, this type of material is not afraid of temperature changes: granite withstands both frosts with temperature fluctuations down to -60 degrees Celsius and heat above 50 degrees Celsius. In general, the temperature difference for granite is more than 100 degrees Celsius, while this material does not lose its properties. One of its main features is also high resistance to fungal damage and fire. The melting temperature of this type is +700 degrees Celsius.

The level of moisture absorption also has a major influence on strength. According to this indicator, granite has no equal among other materials. This indicator varies depending on the place of extraction, while the depth and density of the rock affect the area of application of this type of building material.

Types of granite

Granite is divided into groups depending on grain size. Thus, granite is commonly divided into:

• Fine-grained granite, where the grain size does not exceed 2 mm. This type is the most in demand and expensive, as it has the best quality, high strength, resistance to destruction and is also completely waterproof.
• Medium-grained granite, where the grains range from 2 mm to 5 mm. This type is the “golden mean”: its characteristics are slightly worse than those of fine-grained granite, but better than those of coarse-grained granite.
• Coarse-grained granite, where the grains exceed 5 mm. This type is characterized by poor fire resistance. At temperatures above 600 degrees Celsius, this material is prone to damage and also increases in volume.