Subject Datasheet
Download PDFI. Subject Specification
| Type | Hours/week / (days) |
| Lecture | 3 |
| name | Ákos Török, DSc |
| academic rank | Professor |
| torok.akos@emk.bme.hu |
PhD education program
Stones are widely used in engineering structures, and the main focus of this course is to understand the behaviour of stones in the built environment. Weathering phenomena and the long- and short-term changes of rock properties are outlined with special emphasis on alteration and deterioration of stones (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic). Understanding the structural aspects, load bearing capacities and practicing visual assessment of stone structures is also the scope. On-site and laboratory testing of stones with standardized and non-standardized techniques are also discussed.
1. knows the main lithotypes and their properties
2. knows the concept of mineral-rock and the importance of rock fabric
3. knows the main igneous rock types, their occurrence and their use in stone structures
4. knows the main sedimentary rock types their occurrence and their use in stone structures
5. knows the main metamorphic rock types their occurrence and their use in stone structures
6. knows the weathering features and diagnostics of stone structures
7. understand the durability of stones and the changes of physical properties
1. is able to identify and recognize rocks, describe them on site
2. is able to determine the most important weathering forms
3. capable of recognizing deterioration processes and interpreting them from an engineering perspective
4. suitable for carrying out local building stone diagnostic tasks and preparing an expert opinion
5. is able to express his thoughts in an orderly form orally and in writing
1. cooperates with the supervisor and fellow students during the expansion of knowledge
2. expands his knowledge by continuously acquiring knowledge
3. open to the use of technology tools
4. strives for accurate and error-free task solutions
5. strives to create harmony between geology and engineering sciences, to validate them in solving tasks
1. can independently determine the type of the given rock and think through the problems related to its properties and independently analyse it further based on given sources
2. takes into account the limitations of the knowledge of geological processes and the engineering design responsibility in predicting geological processes
3. accepts well-founded critical comments with an open mind
4. she/he uses the systemic approach in his thinking
Lectures, written and oral communication, use of IT tools and techniques.
| Week | Topics of lectures and/or exercise classes |
| 1. | The topic of the subject is the methods of acquiring information on stone types |
| 2. | Building materials of the earth's crust, minerals and rocks. The cycle of rock formation and its role of building stone occurrence |
| 3. | Civil engineering aspects of stone structure description |
| 4. | Plutonic igneous rocks in stone structures, their characterization, and their use in the construction industry |
| 5. | Volcanic igneous rocks in stone structures, their characterization, and their use in the construction industry |
| 6. | Pyroclastic igneous rocks in stone structures, their characterization, and their use in the construction industry |
| 7. | Detrital sedimentary rocks in stone structures, their characterization, and their use in the construction industry |
| 8. | Chemically/biologically precipitated sedimentary rocks in stone structures, their characterization, and their use in the construction industry |
| 9. | Metamorphic rocks in stone structures, their characterization, and their use in the construction industry |
| 10. | Weathering processes, physical/chemical/biological weathering forms |
| 11. | Stone deterioration in the built environment. |
| 12. | Lithological mapping of buildings, weathering and decay maps. |
| 13. | On-site and laboratory tests of building stones of stone structures. |
| 14. | Students’ individual project works - presentations |
Classes are held for 14 weeks. The basic programme for the 14 weeks (week per 3 hours)
The exact daily schedule will only be known the beginning of the period of Classes (on the first week)
The above programme is tentative and subject to changes due to calendar variations and other reasons specific to the actual semester. Consult the effective detailed course schedule of the course on the subject website.
a) Online materials
1. Electronic notes presented on the site
b) Books
1. Siegesmund, S. Snethlage, R. (eds) 2011. Stone in Architecture. Springer, Berlin, [DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-14475-2_2]
2. Přikryl R., Török Á. (eds.) 2010. Natural Stone Resources for Historical Monuments. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 333, 237p ISBN 978-1-86239-291-5.
The instructors are available for consultation during their office hours, as advertised on the department website.
Special appointments can be requested via e-mail: torok.akos@emk.bme.hu
II. Subject requirements
There is an oral exam
| Evaluation form | Abbreviation | Assessed learning outcomes |
| study + presentation on the assigned area | HW | A.1-A.6; B.1-B.7; C.1-C.6; D.1-D.4 |
| oral exam | B.1-B.7; C.1-C.3, C.5; D.2-D.4 |
The dates of deadlines of assignments/homework can be found in the detailed course schedule on the subject’s website.
| Abbreviation | Score |
| Sum | 100% |
Participation in 100 % of on-site
| Grade | Points (P) |
| excellent (5) | 85<=P |
| good (4) | 74<=P<84% |
| satisfactory (3) | 62<=P<73% |
| passed (2) | 50<=P<61% |
| failed (1) | P<50% |
There is no retake
| Activity | Hours/semester |
| participation of site | 14x2=28 |
| mid-semester preparation for lessons | 14x1=14 |
| doing homework | 20 |
| independent learning of designated written curriculum | 12 |
| Sum | 74 |