Preliminary Abstract Outline

What methods of building exterior loadbearing natural stone walls are best suited for a residential home in the Kamloops area?


Of all the materials used in construction, there is none that is as durable, sustainable, or permanent as stone. It has been used for thousands of years to build the worlds greatest wonders, from cities on mountaintops to walls across countries. And yet, today, stone as a building material has been relegated to a few specific applications, mostly forgotten in the industries’ race to use the newest and most innovative materials. If stone is universally available, environmentally sustainable, has highly desirable qualities and has proven itself throughout the history of construction, then why not use it?

To re-establish stone as a viable building material, it will need to be integrated into modern construction processes and design. This report will attempt to demonstrate the possibility of using stone in residential construction.

The first step to this goal should be to examine how stone is currently being used in construction. Upon examination, stone is actually used a somewhat surprising amount, including vast amounts of crushed stone going into concrete, and a significant amount being used as compaction material. Neither of these uses really takes full advantage of this material’s wide range of desirable qualities, such as its undeniable aesthetic appeal or ability to withstand the test of time unlike any other building material known to man.

To actually integrate stone into the construction of new residential homes will require an evaluation of the ways in which it can be used. This report will focus on one particular use, that is, in the construction of exterior load bearing natural stone walls. Furthermore this information will be evaluated on the basis of the residential home being situated within the Kamloops area, taking into account local climate and material availability. Different wall details will developed, compared and evaluated based on a list of criteria relating to code requirements and material standards. These details will then in turn be compared to existing practices such as stone veneers and cultured stone on a number of areas such as environmental impact and economic feasibility among others.

Disadvantages must also be noted, these primarily include: the often prohibitive weight of the material, costs associated in transportation, the significant labor required, possible damage to the material from natural and man made sources, among others that will be discussed, analyzed and evaluated in this report.

In providing this comprehensive assessment of the potential for stone in construction, this report will attempt to find a practical solution for building the exterior walls of residential homes in Kamloops. Based on current research, this goal seems to be within reach, although the actual data may indicate otherwise once all the factors have been examined.

Revised Planning Outline

PROJECT
The goal of this analytical report is to examine the potential for the use of loadbearing stone walls for residential construction in the Kamloops area.
I will be comparing different systems of building stone walls such as stone veneer, and cultured against the conventional design of a solid stone loadbearing wall.
In doing this comparison i will also be looking at different details that will illustrate how a modern loadbearing stone wall might be constructed. These details will then be used in an overall comparison in regards to the following: durability, moisture penetrations, structural strength, insulating value, sustainability, and approximate cost.

METHOD (Research Strategy)
-TRU Geology Department, (local stone and geological info)
-Schools of masonry, (methods and techniques used in construction)
-TRU library, (general research)-Purchased books, (construction of stone walls and houses)
-BCBC and local professionals (Wall detail verification)
-Local and regional masonry construction firms.
-Local architecture offices for stone wall details.-Internet, (other information)

ACADEMIC RESOURCES
· L. Zhue, R. Hurt, D.Correia and R. Boehm. (2008). Detailed energy saving performance analyses on thermal mass walls demonstrated in a zero energy house. Energy and Buildings, 41(3),303-310. Retrieved February 28, 2009, from Science Direct. (Online)
· Charles Long, (1998). The Stonebuilder's Primer: A Step-by-Step Guide for Owner-Builders. Ontario : Firefly Books.
· M. R. Smith, (1999). Stone: Building Stone, Rock Fill and Armourstone in Construction. London : The Geological Society.
· Winkler, Erhard M, (1975). Stone--properties, durability in man's environment(2nd revised edition). New York : Springer-Verlag.
· A. W. Hendry and F. M. Khalaf, (2003). Masonry wall construction [electronic resource]. London : E. & F. N. Spon.
· McRaven, C., Ingenthron, C., Moore, L., (1988). Building with Stone(2nd Revised edition). North Adams, Ma.: Storey Publishing, LLC.
· Charles McRaven, (1996). Stonework Techniques and Projects, North Adams, Ma.: Storey Publishing, LLC.
· John Vivian, (1975). Building Stone Walls. North Adams, Ma.: Storey Publishing, LLC.
· Tomm Stanley, (2003). stone House: A Guide to Self-Building with Slipforms. Christchurch, New Zealand : Stonefield Publishing.
· Thomas J. Elpel, (1998). Living Homes: Integrated Design & Construction(5th ed.), Pony, Montana : Hopps Press, LLC.

NON-ACADEMIC RESOURCES
· Those listed in the links bar.
· Slipform stone masonry DVD.

ITEMS TO RESEARCH IN DEPTH
1. Examine stone masonry wall code requirements.
2. Research for any local projects incorporating natural stone being used in wall assemblies.
3. Research characteristics of stone and the varieties best suited for construction.
4. Determine the moisture resistance of stone and mortar.
5. Research economic feasibility.
6. Find out if there is any data linking the use of stone and a better quality of life.
7. Compare dry stone stacking to the more common mortar and stone approach.
8. Examine methods of building stone walls, orientation of stones, techniques employed.
9. Research and examine ways in which services can be located within a mass wall assembly.
10.The requirements under which stone can be considered towards a buildings LEED accreditation.
11.Study pre-existing stone wall details.

SPECIAL PROBLEMS / POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
1. Can a stone mass wall be reinforced with steel to prevent cracking and shifting?
2. Could a clear coat be applied on the exterior to prevent the infiltration of moisture?
3. Could a long lasting, moisture resistant mortar be used / developed?
4. Is natural stone available locally that is suitable for construction? If not then where is the closest available source?
5. How can a stone mass wall be properly insulated?
6. Does a stone mass wall meet all the structural requirements of residential construction?
7. How must the wall be assembled?
8. Is the aesthetic gain alone worth the extra cost?
9. Is there a market?
10. How big of a foundation would be required? Could a way be found to reduce the amount of concrete?
11. Can a stone masonry wall be built to code without an airspace?