Masonry and Marble Work: Techniques and Installation
Masonry Walls
To achieve a perfect interweaving in masonry walls, the touchstone should be arranged or indented to decrease the size of large masonry piers. This involves careful arrangement of strings and executioners.
Marble Work and Construction Techniques
Marble work is related to stonework but differs in the material used. Marble is more luxurious than the stone used in masonry and can be polished. It is usually available in plaques for coating walls. This activity is more refined and delicate than stonework, and generally more decorative and ornamental.
Marble is a variety of limestone with a very fine grain, making it susceptible to polishing.
Marble Polishing Techniques
Marble polishing is characteristic of the marble trade and requires a series of operations:
1. Asperonado
This involves rubbing the surface with sandstone (siliceous sandstone cement or clay). The sandstone is applied with a sponge soaked in water, rubbing the surface until the prints of processing tools disappear.
2. Apomazado
This completes the task started in Asperonado. The difference is the replacement of sandstone with slightly dampened pumice.
3. Brillo (Shine)
This is where the actual polishing is done. Start by covering the surface with pot, a dust whose composition varies with the color and type of marble to be polished:
- For white marble: grinding and iron filings
- For black marble: grinding and lead dust
- For dark red marble: grinding and ocher (red iron oxide with clay)
Once the surface is covered with the pot, rub interchangeably until brightness is achieved, using:
- A rag doll
- A strip of lead sheet rolled on itself, called taco
- Emery: A blackish rock formed by grainy corundum, often accompanied by mica and pig iron. It is so hard that it can carve all bodies except diamond, so it is used in powder to carve gemstones, crystals, glass, and to buff tarnish metals.
4. Suavizado (Softening)
This operation finishes the polishing. Use a mixture called costique, which consists of beeswax and turpentine. Rub the costique on the marble with a cloth.
Note: Not all steps are necessary and depend on the desired degree of polish.
Placement of Marble Parts
If the parts are blocks: Work as in stone, taking preventative measures. Polishing is usually done with the pieces in place, not in the workshop.
If the pieces are plates: They may form either a single facing or pilaster edges (dihedral angles).
Installation of Marble Parament Slabs
This consists of lining the already constructed factory. It must be done when the factory has fully settled; otherwise, the settling can warp or break the marble slabs. Marble cladding is made by mounting them to wooden racks through auxiliary metal, which are then fixed to the plant by other ancillary hardware, rather than mounting them directly to the factory.
Placement of Sheets Provided in Different Routes
Dihedral angles are often reinforced by some element (Rasilla, brick, sandstone, lightweight material, etc.). The marble plates are secured with metal staples.