Serpentinite from Moeche (Galicia, North Western Spain). A Stone Used for Centuries in the Construction of the Architectural Heritage of the Region

José Nespereira, Rafael Navarro, Serafín Monterrubio, Mariano Yenes and Dolores Pereira
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José Nespereira: Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, Avd. Requejo 33, 49022 Zamora, Spain
Rafael Navarro: CHARROCK Research Group. University of Salamanca, Plaza de los Caídos s/n, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
Serafín Monterrubio: Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, Avd. Requejo 33, 49022 Zamora, Spain
Mariano Yenes: Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, Plaza de los Caídos s/n, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
Dolores Pereira: CHARROCK Research Group. University of Salamanca, Plaza de los Caídos s/n, 37008 Salamanca, Spain

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-26

Abstract: Serpentinites are characterized by highly variable mineralogical, physical, and mechanical properties. Serpentinites from Moeche (North Western Spain) have been studied to establish their mineralogical, petrographic, and textural characteristics, as well as their physical and mechanical parameters and the factors influencing rock failure, to evaluate the possible use of these rocks either for new construction or for conservation-restoration of the architectonic heritage of the region. In this paper, we highlight the importance of a detailed mineralogical and petrographic characterization in the fracture zones, which will determine the viability of quarrying the stone. A strong correlation between the petrographic features and the uniaxial compression strength values has been observed. The most important aspects were found to be the rock texture, the mineralogical composition of the fracture area and foliation, although mineralogy was also found to be involved (% of carbonates) in the strength of the stone. An important preliminary result of the study was the low asbestos content of these serpentinites, which will help in the potential re-opening of the quarries.

Keywords: serpentinites; rocks characterization; dimension stone; architectural heritage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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