Limestone

Material Specification

Standard Specification Number for Limestone Dimension Stone is C568/C568M-10. Commercially,

the term limestone refers to dolomite, dolomitic limestone, oolitic limestone and travertine stone.

Limestone is defined by two criteria; it is sedimentary rock and is composed of calcium carbonate.

Material Application

Limestone is very common in architecture and frequently used on all types of buildings and

sculptures. Limestone is readily available around the world, one of the reasons for its frequent

application. It is easily cut into blocks or carvings for the construction of buildings and sculptures.

Limestone is found in beautiful forms and designs dating back to ancient structures such as the

pyramids of Egypt all the way to modern contemporary architecture. Today, limestone can be

found in commercial, institutional and residential construction. For aesthetic purposes, limestone

veneer is used quite often. Limestone is also used as structural material serving as a load bearing

base wall. However, because it is a softer and porous stone, it is not too often used for sculptures

anymore. Finished limestone varieties can have smooth polished finishes with or without grains and

swirls. Most common colors for limestone are white, off white and yellowish white. Limestone does

suffer from weathering caused by wind, water and thermal impacts. Deterioration can be a factor

when considering where the limestone will be applied when exposed to the elements, thus

shortening life expectancy.

The downside is its weight and cost, which make it difficult to use in very tall buildings and those

with limited budgets. Limestone is also utilized as the raw material for quicklime, cement and

mortar.

Crushed, limestone is used as an aggregate for the base of roads. It has its use as a soil conditioner

and can be found in toothpaste, paper paint, plastics, and tile, primarily as filler. Sometimes,

limestone is used in glass making and it can be found in bread and cereal as a calcium supplement.

It can neutralize methane gas as well as act as a reagent helping with controlling air pollution. It is

found in medicines and cosmetics as well as livestock feed. Lastly, geological formations of

limestone are some of the best reservoirs for petroleum. Limestone can be found just about

anywhere and because of its properties, widely utilized in everyday products.

Material Background

Limestone is extracted from quarries by a process known as quarrying. Large quarries can be found

all over the world in places such as Romania, Malta and India. In the United States, 87% of

limestone comes from Indiana and Wisconsin.

However, the world’s largest limestone quarry is found in Michigan at Michigan Limestone and

Chemical Company in Rogers City, MI. Limestone can also be found in places such as the Bahamas

where there is a 100 mile wide deposit known as the Bahama Platform.

Limestone can be cut into solid blocks or carved into elaborate forms. It can be crushed into

granular stone or pulverized into powder. It can be used as a solid mass or a dusting material. It

can stand up to the elements of weather or it can be ingested by animals, including humans.

Weight, dimension and form depend on its intended use.

Limestone costs anywhere from $10 to $75 per ton, depending on its quality. In acquiring

limestone, delivery is always a cost factor. Large heavy long distance deliveries will substantially

increase the cost. Limestone weighs from 100 to 160 pounds per cubic foot. If used as a solid, it can

be up to 163 pounds per cubic foot, or if pulverized only 87 pounds per cubic foot.

Environmental Impact

Limestone itself does not have any direct environmental impacts; however the mining of limestone

can cause increased sediment and accidental spills affecting aquifers. Sometimes, quarrying can

also impact groundwater by removing the entire subcutaneous zone, important to ground-water

storage. This change will alter the flow and quantity of groundwater which can definitely have long

term environmental impacts. In addition, accidental spillage of oil and gas from mining equipment

can contaminate surrounding as well.

Lastly, since limestone dissolves quickly, underground caves can be formed which in humid

climates may collapse; causing a cascading indirect impact on the groundwater and thus the

environment.