Resource Library

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM All Chapters Locked secured document

The Dimension Stone Design Manual is the stone industry’s single-source reference for dimension stone design and construction facts and details. The 2024 edition includes major revisions regarding natural stone installation and new Horizontal Installations and Vertical Installations chapters. It also includes newly created and consistently formatted drawings and graphics. New graphics explain coursed ashlar, split-face stone, and dry-stack detailing. Expanded anchorage graphics showcase additional anchor types currently in use. Graphics have also been updated to include continuous insulation components and thermal separations where necessary. All new graphics are compliant with ASHRAE codes. Also included are descriptions and technical data of individual natural stone varieties; general installation guidelines; guidelines and typical detailing for horizontal surfaces, vertical surfaces, countertops, wet areas, and furniture; and maintenance of exterior and interior stone installations.

January 8, 2025

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM Chapter 03 - Stone Selection Locked secured document

This chapter covers the various considerations involved in selecting a specific stone for a specific application. Aesthetic issues, finish definitions, physical/mechanical properties, samples and mockups, and factors influencing cost are discussed in the chapter. This chapter is taken from the 2024 Dimension Stone Design Manual (DSDM).

January 8, 2025

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM Chapter 04 - Stone Testing Locked secured document

The extent and variety of ASTM test methods applicable to natural dimension stone users can be intimidating to the new user. This chapter explains which tests are applicable to specific application types, what design data can be obtained from each test method, and what units of measure are normally used to quantify the results. Also included is a brief description of the actual test method and apparatuses involved, as well as an explanation of the test specimens required. This chapter is taken from the 2024 Dimension Stone Design Manual (DSDM).

January 8, 2025

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM Chapter 22 - Tolerances Locked secured document

Tolerances: the allowable limit of deviation from a specified, or designed value. In some cases, like the machining of critical machine parts, that allowable deviation may be so small that it is measured in micro-inches or microns. While the stone industry does not have tolerances requiring this level of precision, there exists critical dimensions that directly affect visual appearance and structural integrity of stone installations. This chapter is taken from the 2024 Dimension Stone Design Manual (DSDM).

January 8, 2025

Marble Soundness Classification rev. 2018 Locked secured document

The Marble Soundness Classification System has been with us, essentially unmodified, for more than half of a century (originating with the National Association of Marble Producers who merged with the Marble Institute in 1963). Its long, established use is definitely a result of its simplicity and effectiveness, but perhaps the greatest strength of this system is that it is linked only to material working properties, and specifically excludes any relationship with the market value of the materials.

November 8, 2018

Testing Frictional Properties of Natural Stone Walking Surfaces Locked secured document

Friction is currently a topic of study of numerous committees, associations, and companies, both in the United States and elsewhere. A test method and evaluation method may evolve in the future that proves to be superior to ANSI 326.3, but currently, the ANSI 326.3 procedure provides a very practical method of friction measurement and evaluation.

January 29, 2018

R-Value for Natural Stone Locked secured document

Heat always flows from warmer to colder areas. The transfer of heat energy through a solid material is known as conduction. There are certain applications where this heat transfer, or thermal conductivity, of a natural stone becomes an important factor in design and material selection.This bulletin provides the measured values of thermal conductivity (k-value) and thermal resistance (R-value) for the most common natural stone types used in building applications of common stone types.

September 8, 2015

Freeze/thaw Cycling in Natural Stone

The stone industry is introducing new, unproven materials on a regular basis. Can the wrath of mother nature be accurately synthesized in a laboratory setting? This article explains why freeze/thaw occur, the differences among freeze/thaw cycles, various test procedures and obstacles to testing. Published in Building Stone Magazine — SPRING/SUMMER 2013

August 11, 2015

Dimension Stone Test Methods, Guides, and Standards Locked secured document

There are similarities between the ASTM documents and the CEN documents, to the extent that some test procedures could be considered nearly interchangeable. Conversely, some test procedures exist in both systems for which there is no equivalent counterpart in the other system. This paper is written to describe the ASTM standards and test procedures, with references to those CEN documents which are similar in scope.

June 1, 2014

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM - Historical Versions

Since its initial publication in 1971, the Dimension Stone Design Manual (DSDM) has been the stone industry’s single-source reference for dimension stone design and construction facts and details. Published by the Natural Stone Institute (previously the Marble Institute of America or MIA), the DSDM serves as the authoritative source of information on the suitable application of natural stone products and supports standards of natural stone workmanship and practice. The current DSDM is version 2024 and is available for download in this Resource Library as a separate item. This product allows you to download past versions of the DSDM and earlier marble standards published by the Natural Stone Institute. You will receive a zip file that includes: • Dimension Stone Design Manual 8.0 (2016) • Dimension Stone Design Manual 7.2 (2011) • Dimension Stone Design Manual 7.1 CH 13-15 (2010) • Dimension Stone Design Manual VII (2007) • Dimension Stone Design Manual VI (2003) • Dimension Stone Design Manual V (1999) • Dimension Stone Design Manual IV (1991) • Dimension Stone Design Manual III (1985) • Dimension Stone Design Manual II (1983) • Dimension Stone Design Manual IR (1976) • Dimension Stone Design Manual I (1971) • Marble Engineering Handbook (1962) • Marble Engineering Handbook (1960) • Interior Marble (1964) • Interior Marble (no date) • Exterior Marble (1961) • Exterior Marble (1955)

January 9, 2025

Understanding Rifts in Test Samples

We were provided shop tickets from the lab to cut our test samples. They show the rift direction on the pieces, but they don’t make sense to us. When the rift is parallel to the face, they call it perpendicular, and vice versa on what they call parallel. Are the shop tickets in error or are we not understanding it correctly?

November 12, 2024

ASTM C99 Modulus of Rupture testing

I was looking at your website lab services page and I note that your bundle #1 package does not include ASTM C99 Modulus of Rupture testing. This value is referenced in all the ASTM Stone Specifications. Shouldn’t it be included in your basic testing bundle?

April 5, 2024

Compressive Strength Testing

We commonly test our stones in a variety of tests, including Compressive Strength, but I never hear of engineers using it in calcs. Is it really necessary?

April 5, 2024

Wet versus Dry Testing

I work for a company that works with types of natural stone from all over the world. We recently had a stone tested by others and the stone was tested in both dry and wet conditions. Which test results are traditionally used when presenting data/information to clients? Do you pick one result, dry or wet? Or do you present both results, dry and wet?

April 5, 2024

ASTM Test Procedure Naming Locked secured document

We recently received a test report from a laboratory that we use frequently, and the report lists the test procedures as ASTM C99/C99M-18 and ASTM C880/880M-18. What does the “M” mean? Does this indicate that the procedure was modified?

January 29, 2024

Health Product Declarations (HPDs) for Natural Stone Locked secured document

A Health Product Declaration (HPD) is a material ingredient report that serves as a tool for providing transparency about the ingredients in building products. By providing this information, the HPD enables design teams to make informed decisions in line with green building standards and certifications. Includes: Basalt, Bluestone, Granite, Limestone, Marble, Onyx, Quartzite, Sandstone, Schist, Serpentine, Slate, Soapstone, Travertine You can use these HPDs as a template for your natural stone materials. Contact HPD-C for more information. https://www.hpd-collaborative.org/builder/

January 29, 2024

Shear Testing Thinset Bond Locked secured document

We’re specifying testing of a thinset bond to a limestone. We find references to ASTM C482 for shear testing, but we’ve also run across a much newer procedure called ASTM C1823 which seems to test the samething. Does C1823 replace C482?

January 29, 2024

Flexural Test Specimen Size Differences Locked secured document

We are testing our stone per ASTM C880 on a current job, and the testing spec calls for the stone samples to be tested at a 48” span and 12” wide. That seems strange for a 1¼” thick panel. Aren’t the test samples usually much smaller than this?

November 2, 2020

Limestone & Quartz-Based Stone Flexural Strength Locked secured document

Why is there no minimum value listed for flexural strength in the C568 standard?

September 1, 2020

Abrasion Resistance for Commercial Stairs Locked secured document

Is there a minimum abrasion resistance specified for commercial stairs?

July 1, 2020

Absorption of Limestone Cladding for Use Below Grade Locked secured document

Is there a documented maximum absorption for a limestone cladding that extends below grade?

May 1, 2020

Slate Testing Methodology Locked secured document

I was just looking at the ASTM C629 Specification for Slate, since it is referenced in a project specification that I’m involved with. Why is it that slate is tested via different methods than other stone types?

May 1, 2020

Sample Preparation for Absorption Testing Locked secured document

We are sending samples for absorption testing. Since the stones will be sealed in the final installation, we’re assuming that the test pieces need to be sealed in the same manner. Is this correct?

March 2, 2020

Stone Test Fixture Design Locked secured document

We recently had testing done on our stone by the ASTM C880 procedure. The lab provided some photos of the testing and the setup that they used looks nothing like the one shown in the test procedure from ASTM. Does that make our tests invalid?

January 2, 2020

Can C880 Tests Be Performed on 3/8” Material? Locked secured document

Can you perform C880 tests on 3/8” material?

September 2, 2019

Wire Tie Anchor Capacity Locked secured document

I’ve been asked to provide calculations for wire tie connections used in an interior cladding application. Do you have any capacity data for these connections?

November 1, 2018

Shear Bond Strength Important in Flooring Applications Locked secured document

Whenever I look at specs and standards for thinsets, they talk about shear bond strength. Why would we be concerned about shear strength rather than tensile? I can understand it on a wall that there would be a shear stress, but why are we concerned with shear on a floor?

May 1, 2018

Why Test Flexural Strength in Parallel and Perpendicular Rift Directions? Locked secured document

We’ve been awarded a large project with a very comprehensive testing specification. Our fabricator is questioning the need for testing of flexural strength in parallel and perpendicular rift directions. They explained to us that to there is no way to produce these samples without rotating the block in the gangsaw and taking slabs from two different faces of the block. Doesn’t this seem like an extreme investment of time and money just for creating test samples?

March 1, 2018

The Need for Testing Stone Before and Throughout the Project Locked secured document

Q: We are supplying limestone to a project for which there is a requirement to provide testing prior to supply and also to test during the course of the job. We submitted the initial testing, but we’re afraid that if the next tests results come in lower than the initial, they might use that as grounds to reject the material. Is there a precedent for this?

July 1, 2017

Testing Strap and Split-Tail Strap Anchors Locked secured document

Q: We are installing a small exterior façade using stainless steel strap anchors. The specs require us to test the anchors in the stone. We argued against that requirement, since strap anchors have been used in stone for generations and surely they’ve been tested before, but we were unsuccessful in that argument. We’re now getting ready to test the anchors. The single tab anchors aren’t a problem, but we’re not sure how to test the split-tail anchors. We think the anchor should be tested while engaged in two pieces of stone, just as it is in the job, but the guys at the lab are saying that that’s too difficult to set up in the lab, so they want to test the anchor with one stone only. Wouldn’t this give us low results, since the load is not balanced?

May 1, 2017

Testing Hairpin Anchors for Precast Projects – with drawings Locked secured document

Q: We are sending test samples to a laboratory to test hairpin anchors in a 1¼” granite clad precast system. Do we need to cast the concrete to the stone to test the anchor, or can we just do a pull test on the anchor installed in the granite pieces?

March 1, 2017

Testing Hairpin Anchors for Precast Projects Locked secured document

Q: We need to test some hairpin anchors for a granite-clad precast project. Can we just test the anchors in the stone, or do we need the concrete on the backs?

November 1, 2016

Abrasion Resistance Recommendations Locked secured document

I’m studying the abrasion resistance recommendations in the Dimension Stone Design Manual. We’re selecting materials for the lobby of a small hotel project. Would this be considered a moderate traffic or heavy traffic area?

May 1, 2016

Matching Stated ASTM Physical Property Values Locked secured document

I’m looking at physical property values for a granite that we are considering specifying, and comparing those to the values in ASTM C615. While they’re close, they don’t meet it in all properties. Can you tell me how the properties in C615 were established? Do they pertain to a particular application, for example cladding, or are all granites expected to meet these regardless of the application?

May 1, 2016

Paver Bond Testing Locked secured document

We’re bidding a paving project and the specification calls for testing of the bond between the setting bed and the stone to verify 50 psi minimum bond strength. We were planning on using a conventional mortar bed with no additives. Will this meet 50 psi or should we plan on purchasing something of higher performance?

January 1, 2016

Physical Characteristics of Stone Locked secured document

I attended one of your seminars last year, and you referred to stones as brittle. That isn’t really true of all stones, is it? Some stones are actually very strong.

March 1, 2015

Low-Tech Methodology for Floor Bond Testing Locked secured document

We installed a stone pavement application which has been evaluated by a consulting test laboratory. Their report includes a survey of the plaza which identifies nearly 20 percent of the paving stones as being poorly bonded. They came to this conclusion by merely dragging a logging chain over the stone! Is this a common practice? This seems pretty low-tech to us, and we don’t believe their report.

January 1, 2014

Hardness Testing Kit Locked secured document

I was at one of the MIA presentations during StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas and there was mention made of a set of scratching points that could be used to determine mineral hardness on the Mohs’ scale. Where do I get these and what do they cost?

July 1, 2013

Extravagant Use of Gloss Meter Locked secured document

We’ve got a general contractor who is crawling around on our newly installed Crema Marfil floor installation with a gloss meter. He’s threatening to reject it because he says the meter shows that the gloss isn’t uniform. Is there something that says this is to be expected?

January 1, 2013

Standards for Mesh Reinforcement of Stone Locked secured document

Is there a standard for the application of fiberglass mesh reinforcement on the backs of slabs? Is it a polyester or epoxy that is used to attach it?

October 1, 2012

Limestone Paving: Freeze/Thaw Resistant? Locked secured document

We are quoting the supply of a limestone for exterior pavement in the Chicago area. The supplier of the material says it has been proven freeze/thaw resistant for 48 cycles. Is there anything that documents that this is sufficient for Chicago?

June 1, 2012

Abrasion Resistance Requirements Locked secured document

I recently had some limestone tested for abrasion resistance per ASTM C241. The standard that I was citing was the Dimension Stone Design Manual, which states that because my application is stairs, the stone should have a minimum abrasion resistance of 12.0. The test laboratory says that the minimum recommendation per ASTM is 10.0. Are these two standards in conflict with each other?

April 1, 2012

Compressive Strength Testing Locked secured document

Why is it that when we test compressive strength in stones, we use a wimpy little 2” sample, but when the concrete people test their product, they use a big foot-long cylinder. Wouldn’t we get higher values if we used a larger sample?

July 1, 2011

Testing for Silicon Staining, ASTM, C1248 vs. D2203 Locked secured document

I’m preparing a specification for a stone cladding application. I am well aware of the staining potential of silicone joint sealants with stone, and want to specify that it is tested for compatibility. When I look at the ASTM test methods, I see there are two test methods for this: ASTM C1248 and ASTM D2203. Do I need to have both of these tests performed to ensure that the silicon won’t stain the stone?

June 1, 2011

Flexural Strength Testing: Metric Conversion Locked secured document

I just got a copy of the latest ASTM C880 (2009) test procedure and I noticed that their metric conversions are incorrect. For instance on sample size, they convert 4” to 100 mm, which it should be 101.6 mm, and they convert 1.25” to 30 mm, when it should be 31.75 mm, and 15” to 350 mm, when it should be 381 mm. Why would they allow this kind of error in a technical standard?

January 1, 2011

Shear Strength of Natural Stone Locked secured document

Is there any published data listing shear strengths of stones?

October 1, 2010

Modulus of Rupture and Flexural Strength Stone Testing Locked secured document

I’m hoping to start doing my own C99 Modulus of Rupture and C880 Flexural Strength tests. Is there a place where I can purchase ASTM compliant fixtures for these tests? And why is the C99 fixture shown on “rockers,” but the C880 is rigid?

August 1, 2010

ANSI A137.1 Locked secured document

I have a client who is looking to use a stone tile for a steam shower, but the specification says it must be compliant with A137.1? Do you have a table or reference that tells me which stones comply with this standard?

April 1, 2010

Marble Soundness vs. Hysteresis Locked secured document

I’ve reviewed the MIA’s tech bulletin on marble soundness. I think there are some glaring errors in this document. Many of the white marbles are listed as soundness A or B, which are the exterior grade marbles. These are poor choices for exteriors, as these are the stones that are most likely to develop hysteresis. This document should be corrected.

April 1, 2010

The Difference Between Porosity and Absorption Locked secured document

We have some test data from an overseas vendor listing both porosity and absorption of a limestone. The porosity is more than double the absorption! Shouldn’t these numbers be similar, as they are measuring basically the same thing?

January 1, 2010

Unexpected Variation in Granite Density Measurements Locked secured document

We have some test results for density of a granite. There seems to be a wide spread between the values of different specimens, like several per cent. Is this possible, or did they mix up samples of different stones? I always thought density of a given stone was very consistent.

November 1, 2009

Absorption and Freeze/Thaw Degradation Locked secured document

We have a proposed installation of imported limestone. The vendor has assured us the material is exterior quality, and provided documentation of usage as sills and coping in freezing climates similar to ours. Can we assume it will work for exterior paving?

July 1, 2009

Effects of Salt on Limestone and Travertine Locked secured document

I’ve seen numerous instances of salt attacking limestone and travertine. Is there a particular mineral in these stones that is vulnerable to this chemical attack?

June 1, 2009

ASTM Standard for Marble Locked secured document

I’ve been asked to provide documentation that the marble we are supplying complies with the ASTM C503 Specification. I have a copy of the ASTM standard, but it clearly says, “for exterior marble.” The job I’m supplying is all interior work. What is the ASTM number that governs interior marbles?

May 1, 2009

ASTM C1353 or C241 Abrasion Resistance Locked secured document

I’m looking at a project specification asking for abrasion resistance data based on ASTM C 1353. I have report copies in my files, but they were tested per ASTM C 241. What is the difference – are the two interchangeable? I looked on the ASTM website, and neither supersedes the other – why do we have two procedures?

December 1, 2008

Solar Reflective Index Locked secured document

I was just asked by an architect to provide the SRI for a granite that they are considering using as a roof paver. What is she talking about?

October 1, 2008

ASTM C880 Flexural Strength Locked secured document

We recently submitted some test specimens for flexural strength testing by the ASTM C 880 method. The engineer reviewing the data says we did not supply them in the proper parallel and perpendicular rift directions, but we did cut them in different directions from the slab. How can we convince him that these were sampled correctly?

June 1, 2008

Definition of Specific Gravity Locked secured document

We received test data on a stone including specific gravity, but they don’t list what unit it is measured in. What exactly is specific gravity, and what should the unit be?

April 1, 2008

Stone Testing Abrasion Resistance Locked secured document

I am designing an elementary school and we have specified a white marble for use as thresholds in some areas. The principal of the school has been very involved in the design process, and she has found a prefabricated threshold of a yellowish colored marble at a local big-box store. She prefers this material for its warmer color. I have no problem with the color change, but our specification calls for the marble to have a hardness of 10.0 per ASTM C241. The store has no hardness data on this stone. How can I ascertain that it complies with the specification?

February 1, 2008

Indiana Limestone Institute Handbook 22nd Edition

The primary tool for use by Architects and Engineers in designing Indiana Limestone as cut stone. Includes details, specifications, treatment recommendations, anchor types and styles, wind load, tolerance and other charts and graphs.

January 1, 2007

Natural Stone Institute

Resource Library

Search Results

Refine Results

Staff Recommendations

Most Popular Publications