Granite tiles are expensive construction material usually use for tiling of floor. The main focus of this study was the development of synthetic granite tiles as an alternative construction material. The development and fabrication of synthetic granite tiles underwent different procedures. It started with the design and construction of molder. Based from the experimentation of the synthetic granite tiles can be fabricated in different sizes, shapes and thickness which is comparable to the existing granite tiles. During the try-out and revision period the following were observed: The proportion of pebbles resins and hardener had a relation on the drying time of the product.

The use of a rock as a building stone is conditioned by several factors, from its aesthetic characteristics to its petrophysical properties. Even though the latter are taken into consideration, only a few of them are usually assessed. The purpose of this study is to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the petrophysical properties of nine Portuguese granites employed as dimension stones. Granites with different textural characteristics and degrees of weathering were selected in order to highlight the relationships between the properties, and to identify the most important ones affecting the rock behaviour. The post-tectonic granites, with low porosity and fewer fissures, show better mechanical behaviour, while the most weathered granites have poor mechanical behaviour that limits their use in some applications and/or environmental conditions. L'utilisation d'une roche comme matériau de construction est conditionnée par plusieurs facteurs, soit les caractéristiques esthétiques ou les propriétés pétrophysiques. Même si ceux-ci sont pris en considération, seuls quelques-unes d'entre elles sont généralement évaluées. L’objectif de cette étude est de réaliser une évaluation complète des propriétés pétrophysiques de neuf granites portugais employés comme pierres de taille. Granites avec différentes textures et degrés d'altération ont été sélectionnés afin de mettre en évidence les relations entre les propriétés, et d'identifier les plus importantes qui conditionnent le comportement de la roche. Les granites post-tectoniques, avec une basse porosité et moins de fissures, présentent un meilleur comportement mécanique, tandis que les granites altérés ont plus mauvais comportement mécanique qui limitent leur utilisation en certaines applications et/ou des conditions environnementales.

The paper assessed the viability of some Bauchi granites for application as surface finishes in buildings. Four granite samples: Pink Bauchite, White Bauchite, White Granite and Granite Gneiss, were sourced from around Sabon Kaura and new Government Reservation Area (GRA) extension of Bauchi metropolis. The samples were subjected to mineralogy, aggregate impact value, aggregate crushing value and aggregate abrasion value analyses. All the samples, except White Bauchite, were found very much suitable for application as wearing-off surface finish with little differences in crushing values; white Bauchite was however found to be relatively less suitable for similar application due to its comparative weak crushing values. This is perhaps the consequence of the presence of points of possible disintegration, as noticed in the mineralogy analysis. The paper recommends further study on the porosity/ water absorption and permeability analyses of these materials to ascertain the suitability for exterior surface application as well. Keywords:Granite, Finishing, Wearing-off surfaces, Building, Application, Viability.