BRITISH STANDARD BS EN

1936:2006

Natural stone test

methods —
Determination of real
density and apparent
density, and of total and
open porosity

The European Standard EN 1936:2006 has the status of a

British Standard

ICS 73.020; 91.100.15

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BS EN 1936:2006

National foreword

This British Standard was published by BSI. It is the UK implementation of

EN 1936:2006. It supersedes BS EN 1936:1999 which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee
B/545, Natural stone.
A list of organizations represented on B/545 can be obtained on request to its
secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from
legal obligations.

This British Standard was Amendments issued since publication

published under the authority
of the Standards Policy and
Strategy Committee Amd. No. Date Comments
on 31 January 2007

© BSI 2007

ISBN 978-0-580-49919-7
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 1936
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM December 2006

ICS 73.020; 91.100.15 Supersedes EN 1936:1999

English Version

Natural stone test methods - Determination of real density and

apparent density, and of total and open porosity

Méthodes d'essai des pierres naturelles - Détermination Prüfverfahren für Naturstein - Bestimmung der Reindichte,
des masses volumiques réelle et apparente et des der Rohdichte, der offenen Porosität und der
porosités ouvertes et totale Gesamtporosität

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 25 October 2006.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2006 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 1936:2006: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
EN 1936:2006 (E)

Contents Page

Foreword..............................................................................................................................................................3
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................4
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................4
3 Principle..................................................................................................................................................4
4 Terms and definitions ...........................................................................................................................4
5 Symbols ..................................................................................................................................................5
6 Apparatus ...............................................................................................................................................5
7 Preparation of the specimens ..............................................................................................................6
7.1 Sampling.................................................................................................................................................6
7.2 Test specimens ......................................................................................................................................6
7.3 Drying the specimens ...........................................................................................................................6
8 Test procedure .......................................................................................................................................6
8.1 Open porosity and apparent density ...................................................................................................6
8.2 Real density............................................................................................................................................7
8.2.1 General....................................................................................................................................................7
8.2.2 Method A (pycnometer).........................................................................................................................7
8.2.3 Method B (Le Chatelier volumenometer) ............................................................................................7
9 Expression of results ............................................................................................................................8
9.1 General....................................................................................................................................................8
9.2 Apparent density....................................................................................................................................8
9.3 Open porosity.........................................................................................................................................8
9.4 Real density............................................................................................................................................8
9.5 Total porosity .........................................................................................................................................9
10 Test report ..............................................................................................................................................9
Bibliography ......................................................................................................................................................11

2
 EN 1936:2006 (E)

Foreword
This document (EN 1936:2006) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 246 “Natural stones”,
the secretariat of which is held by UNI.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by June 2007, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by June 2007.

This document supersedes EN 1936:1999.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and United Kingdom.

3
EN 1936:2006 (E)

1 Scope
This European standard specifies methods for determining the real density, apparent density, and open and
total porosity of natural stone.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 12670:2001, Natural stone - Terminology

ISO 3507, Laboratory glassware - Pyknometers

3 Principle
After drying to constant mass, the apparent density and open porosity are determined by vacuum assisted
water absorption and submerged weighing of specimens. The real density and total porosity require the
specimen to be pulverised.

4 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 12670:2001 and the following apply.

4.1
apparent density (ρb)
ratio between the mass of the dry specimen and its apparent volume

4.2
apparent volume
volume limited by the external surface of the specimen, including any voids

4.3
volume of the solid part
difference between the apparent volume of the specimen and the volume of the voids (open and closed pores)

4.4
real density (ρr)
ratio between the mass of the dry specimen and the volume of its solid part

4.5
open porosity
ratio (as a percentage) between the volume of the open pores and the apparent volume of the specimen

4.6
total porosity
ratio (as a percentage) between the volume of pores (open and closed) and the apparent volume of the
specimen

4
 EN 1936:2006 (E)

5 Symbols
md mass of the dry specimen, in grams;

mh mass of the specimen immersed in water, in grams;

ms mass of the saturated specimen, in grams;

me mass of the specimen ground and dried (for the tests using the pycnometer or the volumenometer), in
grams;

m1 mass of the pycnometer filled with water and the ground specimen, in grams;

m2 mass of the pycnometer filled with water, in grams;

Vb apparent volume of the specimen, in millilitres;

Vo volume of open pores of the specimen, in millilitres;

Vs volume of liquid displaced by the mass me (volumenometer test);

ρb apparent density of the specimen, in kilograms per cubic metre;

ρr real density of the specimen, in kilograms per cubic metre;

ρrh density of water, in kilograms per cubic metre;

po open porosity of the specimen, as a percentage;

p total porosity of the specimen, as a percentage.

6 Apparatus
6.1 A ventilated oven which maintain a temperature (70 ± 5) °C.

6.2 An evacuation vessel which can maintain a pressure of (2,0 ± 0,7) kPa = (15 ± 5) mm Hg and allow
gradual immersion of the contained specimens.

6.3 A weighing instrument which has an accuracy of at least 0,01% of the mass to be weighed, also
capable of weighing the specimen in water.

6.4 A linear measuring device with an accuracy of at least 0,01%.

6.5 An ISO 3507 type 3 pycnometer having a nominal capacity of 50 ml.

6.6 A La Chatelier type volumenometer consisting of a flat-bottomed flask with a tube graduated form 0 ml
to 24 ml in 0,1 ml graduations.

6.7 A sieve with a 0,063 mm mesh.

6.8 A dessicator with dessicant.

5
EN 1936:2006 (E)

7 Preparation of the specimens

7.1 Sampling

The sampling is not the responsibility of the test laboratory except where specially requested. At least six test
specimens, representing the body of stone being tested, shall be selected.

7.2 Test specimens

The test specimens can be in the form of a cylinder, cube or prism and must be obtained by diamond sawing
or coring. Their apparent volume calculated by geometrical measurements shall be at least 60 ml.

In addition, the surface area to volume ratio shall be between 0,08 mm-1 and 0,20 mm-1.

NOTE The specimens prepared for the determination of compressive or flexural strength can be used if they satisfy
the surface/volume ratio.

7.3 Drying the specimens

The specimens are to be dried at (70 ± 5)°C until a constant mass is reached. This is assumed to have been
attained when the difference between the two weighings at an interval of (24 ± 2) h is not greater than 0,1 %
of the mass of the specimen.

The specimens shall be kept in a desiccator until room temperature is attained.

8 Test procedure

8.1 Open porosity and apparent density

Weigh each specimen (md), then put the specimens into an evacuation vessel and lower the pressure
gradually to (2,0 ± 0,7) kPa = (15 ± 5) mm Hg.

Maintain this pressure for (2 ± 0,2) h in order to eliminate the air contained in the open pores of the specimens.

Slowly introduce demineralized water at (20 ± 5)°C into the vessel (the rate at which the water rises shall be
such that the specimens are completely immersed not less than 15 min).

Maintain the pressure of (2,0 ± 0,7) kPa during the introduction of water.

When all the specimens are immersed, return the vessel to atmospheric pressure and leave the specimens
under water for another (24 ± 2) h at atmospheric pressure.

Then, for each specimen:

 weigh the specimen under water and record the mass in water: mh;

 quickly wipe the specimen with a dampened cloth and determine the mass ms of the specimen saturated
with water.

In the case of natural stones with visible cavities (e.g. travertine) the apparent volume is determined by
measuring the dimensions of the specimens to the nearest millimetre.

6
 EN 1936:2006 (E)

8.2 Real density

8.2.1 General

For dense, low porosity stones the differences between real and apparent density, as well as between open
porosity and total porosity, are very small. For these stones it is sufficient to determine the apparent density
and the open porosity. In the case of control of supplies the decision of omitting the determination of the real
density shall be agreed upon between the parties.

In this standard two methods for the determination of real density are described: the pycnometer (Method A)
and Le Chatelier volumenometer (Method B).

The first method is more accurate but requires a very long time. It is suggested to use it as a reference
method in the case of controversy. Le Chatelier volumenometer method is less accurate but easy and rapid to
perform and can be used for production control.

8.2.2 Method A (pycnometer)

For each specimen, after having determined the apparent density and the open porosity, grind each specimen
separately until the particles pass through a sieve with 0,063 mm mesh.

Dry the ground specimen to a constant mass and set apart a mass, me of approximately 10 g weighed to an
accuracy of ± 0,01 g.

Introduce deionized water into the pycnometer and fill it approximately half full. Then add the weighed mass,
me of the ground specimen into the pycnometer and agitate the liquid to disperse the solid matter.

NOTE Ethanol or other liquids may be used instead of deionised water if required. In this case the density of this
liquid shall be used instead of density of water in the equation (5a).

Expose the pycnometer to a vacuum of (2 ± 0,7) kPa until no further air bubbles rise, then fill it with deionized
water almost to the top and leave the solid matter to settle until the water above the residue is clear.

Next, carefully top up the pycnometer with deionized water, fit the ground stopper and gently wipe off any
overflow. Finally weigh the pycnometer to an accuracy of ± 0,01 g (m1).

Empty and wash the pycnometer, fill it with deionized water only and weigh to an accuracy of ± 0,01 g (m2).

Before each weighing make sure that the ambient air temperature is (20 ± 5)°C.

8.2.3 Method B (Le Chatelier volumenometer)

For each specimen, after having determined the apparent density and the open porosity, grind each specimen
separately until the particles will pass through a sieve with 0,063 mm mesh.

Dry the ground specimen to a constant mass and set apart a mass, me of approximately 50 g weighed to an
accuracy of ± 0,1 g.

Introduce deionized water into Le Chatelier volumenometer until the level is up to the 0 graduation. Then add
the weighed mass, me of the ground specimen into the volumenometer in five fractions in the region of 10 g
each, ensuring that all of each fraction falls into the liquid. After the introduction of each fraction, agitate the
liquid to disperse the ground specimen. Read the graduations to determine the Vs in millilitres to the nearest
0,1 ml of liquid displaced by the mass me of the ground specimen.

Before taking the initial at 0 level and final volume readings make sure that the ambient air temperature is (20
± 5)°C.

7
EN 1936:2006 (E)

9 Expression of results

9.1 General

The volume of the open pores (in millilitres) is expressed by the equation:

ms − md
V0 = × 1000 (1)
ρ rh
The apparent volume (in millilitres) is expressed by the equation:

ms − mh
Vb = × 1000 (2)
ρ rh
which can alternatively be calculated on the basis of the dimensions of the specimen.

NOTE The value of the density of water ρrh at 20 °C is 998 kg/m3 apparent density.

9.2 Apparent density

The apparent density (in kilograms per cubic metre) is expressed by the ratio of the mass of the dry specimen
and its apparent volume, by the equation:

md
ρb = × ρ rh (3)
ms − m h

9.3 Open porosity

The open porosity is expressed by the ratio (as a percentage) of the volume of open pores and the apparent
volume of the specimen, by the equation:

ms − md
po = × 100 (4)
ms − mh

9.4 Real density

The real density (in kilograms per cubic metre) is expressed by the ratio of the mass of the ground dry
specimen me to the volume of liquid displaced by the mass me, by the equations:

Method A (pycnometer)

me
ρr = × ρ rh (5a)
m 2 + m e − m1
Method B (Le Chatelier volumenometer)

me
ρr = × ρ rh (5b)
Vs

8
 EN 1936:2006 (E)

9.5 Total porosity

The total porosity is expressed by the ratio (as a percentage) of the volume of pores (open and closed) and
the apparent volume of the specimen, by the equation:

1 1
−
ρ ρr  ρ 
p= b × 100 = 1 − b  × 100 (6)
1  ρr 
ρb

10 Test report
The test report shall contain the following information:

a) unique identification number of the report;

b) number, title and date of issue of this European standard;

c) name and address of the test laboratory and the address where the test was carried out if different from
the test laboratory;

d) name and address of the client;

e) it is the responsibility of the client to supply the following information:

 petrographic name of the stone;

 commercial name of the stone;

 country and region of extraction;

 name of the supplier;

 direction of any existing plane of anisotropy (if relevant to the test) to be clearly indicated on the sample
or on each specimen by means of two parallel lines;

 name of the person or organization which carried out the sampling;

 surface finish of the specimens (if relevant to the test);

f) date of delivery of the sample or of the specimens;

g) date when the specimens were prepared (if relevant) and the date of testing;

h) number of specimens in the sample;

i) dimensions of the specimens;

3
j) for each specimen: the real density (if determined) and the apparent density to the nearest 10 kg/m , the
open porosity and the total porosity (if determined) to the nearest 0,1%;

k) arithmetic mean of the individual values for the real density (if determined) and for the apparent density
3
(to the nearest 10 kg/m ), for the open porosity and for the total porosity (if determined) (to the nearest
0,1%);

9
EN 1936:2006 (E)

l) method used for the determination of the real density (when relevant);

m) all deviations from the standard and their justification;

n) remarks.

The test report shall contain the signature(s) and role(s) of the responsible(s) party(s) for testing and the issue
date of the report. It shall also state that the report shall not be partially reproduced without written consent
from the test laboratory.

10
 EN 1936:2006 (E)

Bibliography

[1] EN 1925, Natural stone test methods – Determination of water absorption coefficient by capillarity.

[2] EN 1926, Natural stone test methods – Determination of compressive strength.

[3] EN 12370, Natural stone test methods – Determination of resistance to salt crystallisation.

[4] EN 12371, Natural stone test methods – Determination of frost resistance.

[5] EN 12372, Natural stone test methods – Determination of flexural strength under concentrated load.

[6] EN 12407, Natural stone test methods – Petrographic examination.

[7] EN 12440, Natural stone - Denomination criteria.

[8] EN 13161, Natural stone test methods – Determination of flexural strength under constant moment.

[9] EN 13364, Natural stone test methods – Determination of the breaking load at dowel hole.

[10] EN 13373, Natural stone test methods – Determination of geometric characteristics on units.

[11] EN 13755, Natural stone test methods – Determination of water absorption at atmospheric pressure.

[12] EN 13919, Natural stone test methods - Determination of resistance to ageing by SO2 action in the
presence of humidity.

[13] EN 14066, Natural stone test methods – Determination of resistance to ageing by thermal shock.

[14] EN 14146, Natural stone test methods – Determination of the dynamic modulus of elasticity (by
measuring the fundamental resonance frequency).

[15] EN 14147, Natural stone test methods – Determination of resistance to ageing by salt mist.

[16] EN 14157, Natural stone test methods – Determination of the abrasion resistance.

[17] EN 14158, Natural stone test methods – Determination of rupture energy.

[18] EN 14205, Natural stone test methods – Determination of Knoop hardness.

[19] EN 14231, Natural stone test methods – Determination of the slip resistance by means of the
pendulum tester.

[20] EN 14579, Natural stone test methods – Determination of sound speed propagation.

[21] EN 14580, Natural stone test methods – Determination of static elastic modulus.

[22] EN 14581, Natural stone test methods – Determination of linear thermal expansion coefficient.

11
BS EN
1936:2006
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