Tertiary plutonic rocks of southern Serbia Vardar Zone as dimension stone

Abstract

Three granitoid plutons of south-Serbian part of the Vardar Zone, of Tertiary age were studied in order to establish their potential for utilization as dimension stone. These rocks vary in composition from quartzmonconite to quartzdiorite. Field study aimed at establishing the geological factors - presence of fractures, harmful minerals, alterations, jointing type and fabric homogeneity in order to determine the possibility of obtaining large size blocks of stone from the plutons. Laboratory examinations comprised petrological analyses and testing of technical properties. Stone from these plutons has shown favourable results in both field and laboratory examinations. Evaluation of the rock based on obtained laboratory testing results is performed according to technical requirements of the Serbian standard B.B3.200. It has shown that rocks from these plutons can be used as dimension stone for the production of slabs for the exterior and interior paving and cladding.