The ASTM publishes standards for building materials.

C568-03 is the active Standard Specification for Limestone Dimension Stone.

This specification covers the material characteristics, physical requirements, and sampling appropriate to the selection of limestone for general building and structural purposes.

Dimension limestone shall include stone that is sawed, cut, split, or otherwise finished or shaped, and shall specifically exclude molded, cast, or otherwise artificially aggregated units of composed fragments, and also crushed and broken stone.

This standard Specification classifies Dimension Limestone into three categories: I (low density), II (medium density), III ( high density).

Five different related tests define material characteristics relevant in different application:

C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
C170 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone
C241 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic
C97 Test Methods for Absorption and Bulk Specific Gravity of Dimension Stone
C99 Test Method for Modulus of Rupture of Dimension Stone

Please contact us for more information on technical characteristics and applications.

Similar standards and test exist for other natural stones such as Granite, Marble, Basalt and Travertine. For more information contact the Marble Institute of America.