The stone must be divided into smaller pieces to make it usable in different spaces. Stonemasons find the stone's grain and draw a line across it to facilitate cutting. The stone is then smashed with a hammer in this direction. While cutting precious stones, stonemasons may also employ the use of an abrasive saw.
Structures, masonry, and concrete slabs. Aggregates, or crushed and sorted stone, are used in construction as both bulk fill material and in the production of concrete and asphalt, respectively. Main applications include construction materials like asphalt and cement.
Moisture is the primary reason for stonework failure, rather than any kind of masonry work. Masonry work is vulnerable to water damage from rain, leaks, and runoff.
Masonry structures are notoriously vulnerable to water damage. Stone walls that are open to the elements are at risk of having their structural integrity damaged due to the infiltration of water.