Cast Stone – Technical
Some of the key technical aspects of cast stone, including the UKCSA Quality Mark for cast stone, are considered in the Technical sections below, and also in the UKCSA Technical Manual for Cast Stone.
Some of the key technical aspects of cast stone, including the UKCSA Quality Mark for cast stone, are considered in the Technical sections below, and also in the UKCSA Technical Manual for Cast Stone.
The concern regarding maintaining the quality and standards for cast stone in the UK lead directly to the formation of the UK Cast Stone Association in 1991.
Cast stone products manufactured by an UKCSA Full Member to the Association’s stringent requirements and specification are already supplied to a standard in excess of the BS 1217 requirements. However, the UK Cast Stone Association has introduced its own Quality Mark standard for cast stone, which all UKCSA cast stone manufacturing Full Members are required to comply with as a condition of their membership.
The UK has a long history in the manufacture and use of cast stone and the original British Standard for Cast Stone, BS 1217 dates back to 1945. Although the standard for cast stone has been changed and improved over the years, BS 1217 remains one of the longest standing British Standards which is still in existence.
The UK has gone through a transition period from the Construction Products Directive (CPD) into the full introduction of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) on 1st July 2013. At that time CE marking became mandatory for certain construction products which are covered by harmonised European standards.
UKCSA Full Members aim to produce products which resemble natural stone as closely as possible. The colour and texture of most natural stone can be matched using crushed rock fines and / or carefully selected and graded natural sands, usually mixed with white cement.
This report describes a two year study carried out to develop a reliable test method and performance specification relevant to Cast Stone products. The research was undertaken by the UK Cast Stone Association and the University of Dundee under the UK government’s Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) “Partners In Technology” programme.
The production of cast stone can be an elaborate process. There are as many variations in the precise way UKCSA Full Members go about their art as there are master craftsmen. But there are three main manufacturing methods, semi-dry, wet-cast and fibre reinforced cast stone.
The correct curing of cast stone is essential to resist damage during transportation and construction, and for its long-term durability and appearance.
A key difference between UKCSA Members and other cast stone manufacturers is the high compressive strength of their products, which makes them significantly more robust and durable.
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