Stone Initiatives Materials Testing Group in Mount Barker, South Australia | Science

Stone Initiatives Materials Testing Group

Locality: Mount Barker, South Australia

Phone: +61 8 8391 6844

Address: Unit 2, 19 Light Crescent 5251 Mount Barker, SA, Australia

Website: http://stonemtg.com.au/contact.html

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04.05.2022 *** New FAQs section on our website *** Find answers to your testing and analysis questions in the new FAQ articles on our website (under the resources tab). We cover heritage services and mortar analysis; facade and engineered product testing; with more topics to come! Something else you'd like answered? Send us an email via the contact page on our website.... Happy learning! #StoneInitiatives #heritageservices #heritagearchitecture #heritagerestoration #FAQs #stonefaqs #producttesting #natalab #learnsomethingnew

14.04.2022 EXPERT INTERVIEW: Our principal and chief consultant, Jim Mann, was interviewed by Bamstone about the importance of stone testing and the unique characteristics of Australian bluestone. #StoneInitiatives #Bamstone #AustralianBluestone #naturalstone #dimensionstone #expertinterview #architectureanddesign

11.04.2022 Did you know that asbestos can be naturally present in some stones? Or that accidents never happen? And that something as simple as choosing the right sealer can improve stain resistance dramatically? Here are 10 things to know about testing and working with natural stone. #stoneinitiatives #dimensionstone #stonetesting #10things #designandconstruction

22.03.2022 Thanks for all your support this year! Wishing our clients and their families a safe and joyful festive season. We will be closed from 1.00pm tomorrow, 23 December, and back ready for your testing and consulting jobs on 10 January. If you're looking for some reading material during the holidays, check out our extensive bank of technical articles here: https://stonemtg.com.au/category/technical-articles/ #StoneInitiatives #happyholidays #technicalarticles #stonetesting

10.03.2022 Like all building materials, dimension stone is subject to failure through improper use, installation or maintenance whether it's the failure of stone in historic buildings or the premature and dramatic failure of newly laid stone tiles. Our expertise in the field of failure analysis has assisted clients to determine the cause of failures in prominent buildings throughout Australia and overseas. The information gained through our testing and analysis is used to settle cases... of litigation or to minimise the risk of future failure. We can also assist in the development of rectification methods. Find out more on our website or get in touch to discuss your project or product. #stoneinitiatives #expertwitness #failureinvestigation #naturalstone #DimensionStone #heritagearchitecture #pavingsolutions #buildingandconstruction

19.02.2022 Recently we were tasked with analysing a precast concrete moulding sample from a significant Melbourne memorial, to determine its composition and formulate a replacement mix recipe. While the sample at first appeared to be a typical cement-based mortar, deeper investigations revealed a more complex story. #heritageconservation #heritagearchitecture #melbournemonuments #mortar #stoneindustry #stoneinitiatives

25.01.2022 Heritage investigations are some of the most fascinating projects that we work on. Our team was involved in restoration trials at South Australias historic Kapunda Mine site. The mine played an important role in South Australias history during the 1800s, when the mining of copper ore saw Kapunda grow to become the key rural centre for the mid-north of the state. We believe that the conservation of historic monuments and structures improves our environment. A responsible con...servation plan requires wise management of resources and sound judgement to control the agents of deterioration and preserve the integrity of the monument. Find out more on our website: www.stonemtg.com.au #stoneinitiatives #heritagearchitecture #kapundamine #kapunda #southaustralia #heritageconservation #copper

25.01.2022 This week in our #MeetTheWorkFamily series we're introducing Mark, one of our dedicated materials testing specialists! Mark is a qualified geomaterials scientist with an interest in heritage and conservation. One of his favourite parts of the job is being a part of breathing new life into heritage buildings so that they can have a second chance. Outside of work, youll find Mark embracing the outdoors through camping, surfing or hiking. Thanks for everything you do, Mark! Visit our website: www.stonemtg.com.au #StoneInitiatives #meettheworkfamily #dimensionstone #naturalstone #heritagearchitecture #heritagearchitectureaustralia #buildingprojectsaustralia #geomaterialsscientist The University of Adelaide #sciencedegree

24.01.2022 Providing Heritage Consulting services for Smyth Chapel, West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide.

24.01.2022 Heritage Consulting services at Government House Adelaide.

23.01.2022 Congratulations to one of our longterm clients, Arup, on being shortlisted for the 2020 Architect of the Year Awards! #stoneinitiatives #arup #architectoftheyearawards

21.01.2022 'Climate and biodiversity emergency' interview via ArchitectureAU: Helen Lochhead, immediate past national president of The Australian Institute of Architects, outlines the steps the Institute is taking to support its members in the climate challenge. #Climatecrisis #australianarchitecture #stoneinitiatives

21.01.2022 This dramatic limestone façade is a defining element of the new flagship store for Tiffany & Co. in Sydney. Stone Initiatives was the key stone consultant for the facade, which included quality control inspection of the raw slabs in China. Designed by Tiffany & Co.s Richard Moore, the store offers 1,800 square metres of retail space over two levels, private salons, abundant natural light and a gallery foyer. The existing building was transformed by removing a large section of the roof, creating luxurious ceiling heights upon entry. The three-dimensional façade features a striking custom wheat leaf pattern. Interested in how Stone Initiatives can benefit your next project? Head to our website: http://stonemtg.com.au/ #limestone #facadedesign #tiffanyandco #sydneyarchitecture #stoneinitiatives

20.01.2022 Beautiful granite! At Stone Initiatives we carry out all sorts of tests and experiments to help you uncover important information about your natural stone. Petrographic analysis is one such method. The purpose of the test is to achieve a deeper understanding of the stone by looking beneath the surface. This beautiful image is a high-magnification (40x) photomicrograph of a thin section of granite. The bright colours and unique patterns are characteristic optical features of d...ifferent minerals that can help us piece together the composition of the rock in question. From this information we can detect any potentially harmful textures, components or other features of the stone that may be hiding beneath the surface. For a full list of our testing services, visit our website: www.stonemtg.com.au #StoneInitiatives #granite #naturalstone #buildingwithgranite #muscovite #stonearchitecture #designwithstone #geology #beneaththesurface #petrography

20.01.2022 Call for Entries: 2019 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation UNESCO celebrates 20 years of outstanding conservation practices in the Asia-Pacific region Submissions are now being accepted for the 2019 Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. ... The upcoming cycle will mark the 20th year of the Awards honouring best conservation practices in the Asia-Pacific. The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation recognizes exemplary efforts by individuals and organizations to restore or conserve structures, places and properties of heritage value in the region. It aims to encourage other property owners to undertake conservation projects within their communities, either independently or by seeking public-private partnerships. Since 2000, the Awards have recognized 233 winners from 21 countries for their thorough understanding of the places, sound technical achievements, and significant social and policy impacts at the local, national and regional levels. By recognizing these practices, the Awards have contributed to meaningful achievements in changing the conversation about what constitutes cultural heritage, who has a stake in its stewardship, and how cultural heritage can contribute to the sustainable well-being of cities, societies and the environment. UNESCO will celebrate these 20 years of success through a regional event organized in partnership with Think City, a leading community-based urban regeneration organization based in Malaysia. Interested young professionals and members of the public are encouraged to communicate with UNESCO Bangkok for further information via the contact details below. The deadline for receipt of materials is 31 March 2019. To apply for the 2019 Awards and for relevant resources, please visit: http://bangkok.unesco.org/content/apply-awards

18.01.2022 This week in our #MeetTheWorkFamily series we're introducing Kin, our heritage conservation scientist! Kin uses her skills and experience to solve unusual conservation problems and material failures. She has a PhD in the Conservation of Sydney Heritage Sandstone Buildings from the University of Technology, Sydney, as well as a Bachelor of Science (Applied Chemistry) with First Class Honours. In addition to her work in heritage conservation, Kin uses her in-depth knowledge in chemistry to assist in product-related failure investigations. For more on our heritage work visit our website: www.stonemtg.com.au #StoneInitiatives #womeninscience #heritagearchitectureaustralia #heritageconservation #conservationarchitecture #australianarchitecture #naturalstone #meettheteam

18.01.2022 Adelaides Gawler Place is one of the busiest streets in the city, with around 25,000 people moving between Grenfell Street and North Terrace every day. For the City of Adelaides recent upgrade of Gawler Place, Stone Initiatives helped ensure the safety of new granite paving by completing slip-resistance testing. Wider footpaths and new road surfaces now create a low-speed, shared-use environment for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, offering a vibrant, green and people-fo...cused street. Stone Initiatives has wide ranging experience in slip resistance, both in product testing and litigation. For more information on services and the Australian Standards in relation to slip resistance visit our website. www.stonemtg.com.au #Stoneinitiatives #slipresistance #GawlerPlace #Adelaidearchitecture #CityofAdelaide #pavingsolutions #granite

18.01.2022 Today is the last chance to register for National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia's Young Scientist of the Year Competition for 2020! See details below. #NATA #youngscientist #CelebratingScience

18.01.2022 It's not much fun having a pool without water to swim in! We inspected this glass mosaic swimming pool to determine what caused the disbondment of the tiles. We work across a range of projects and materials, and can provide objective and independent Expert Witness services related to the selection, installation and use of stone products and related infrastructure. For more info head to our website: www.stonemtg.com.au #stoneinitiatives #swimmingpool #materialtesting #glassmosaics #expertwitness #pooldesign #poolarchitecture

18.01.2022 Did you know we have a variety of technical articles and useful guides available on our website? We cover topics such as choosing the right stone, sealer selection, understanding slip resistance and guides for granite, limestone, marble and more. Free to access via our website: www.stonemtg.com.au #dimensionstone #stoneinitiatives #naturalstone #stoneselection #stonearchitecture #FreeTechnicalArticles #stoneflooring #architecturalresources

16.01.2022 Check out the amazing workmanship in the spire at St Peter’s Cathedral in North Adelaide. Our principal Jim Mann was there providing consultancy advice on the stabilisation of decay on stone elements around the windows at the base of the spire. The heritage-listed building is one of the city's most significant historic landmarks. The original design for the cathedral was the work of English architect William Butterfield, but owing to a disagreement over materials to be used, work began under architect E. J. Woods, with the foundation stone laid in 1869. The influence of French Gothic architecture can be seen in the western front, which features a rose window. #stoneinitiatives #StPetersCathedralAdelaide #cityofchurches #adelaidechurches #adelaidearchitecture #heritagearchitecture #heritageconservation

15.01.2022 Heritage architecture, like ageing humans, requires regular examination and maintenance. Stone Initiatives assists owners, architects and conservators in developing an informed conservation plan. At the The University of Adelaide we undertook a dilapidation survey prior to restoration works on the Mitchell Building. Originally called University Building, it was officially opened by Governor Jervois on 5 April 1882. Stone Initiatives specialises in the testing and evaluation ...of building stone and related materials such as historic coatings, mortar and cement products. We can determine the physical properties of building materials, guide selection and sourcing of replacement stone for use in historic structures, and analyse historic mortars, lime washes and other organic and inorganic coatings. For more details on our heritage services plus helpful technical articles visit our website: http://stonemtg.com.au/ #stoneinitiatives #universityofadelaide #heritagearchitecture #buildingrestoration

14.01.2022 Another instalment in ArchitectureAU's 'climate and biodiversity emergency' interview series: Ken Maher, president of the Australian Sustainable Built Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), says regulations need to be lifted and more incentives introduced to meet the challenge. #ASBEC #climateemergency #stoneinitiatives #australianarchitecture #builtenvironment

14.01.2022 As Australias only NATA-accredited facility dedicated to the testing and evaluation of dimension stone, our capabilities cover a wide range of Australian, American and International standards. We carry out analytical testing such as petrographic examination (pictured) and whole rock chemical analysis; basic physical tests such as abrasion resistance, water absorption and flexural strength; as well as a range of product evaluation, heritage and new project services. We have the knowledge and flexibility to develop in-house test methods for non-routine or unusual projects so get in touch! www.stonemtg.com.au #stoneinitiatives #petrography #heritagearchitecture #buildingproducts #productcompliance #stonetesting #construction #naturalstone

13.01.2022 We're passionate about heritage projects, which is why we love seeing positive clips like this! There is no doubt that the conservation of historic structures improves our environment and contributes to creating a sense of place and belonging. We know that a responsible conservation plan requires wise management of resources and sound judgement to control the agents of deterioration and preserve integrity. The ad-hoc and ill informed use of consolidants, sealers, coatings and... cleaning methods on historic material can result in irreversible damage to our cultural heritage. We're here for consultation on your next heritage project. Find out more on our website. www.stonemtg.com.au #stoneinitiatives #heritageconservation #heritagearchitecture #environmentSA #activatingheritage

12.01.2022 Hi there! We're introducing our team members through our #MeetTheWorkFamily series because we're proud of what they do! Each and every one of them makes a valuable contribution to our success as Australia's principal materials testing laboratory. This week meet Kate, the head of our Surface Finish Evaluation department. Kate is motivated by seeing how the effective use of dimension stone contributes to the completion of outstanding building projects across Australia and abroa...d. Kate has four children who enjoy sports, and this had led her to undertake research into the slip resistance of outdoor sports court surfaces. Outside of work, Kate enjoys travelling, baking cakes and running. Thanks for all your hard work, Kate! Visit our website: www.stonemtg.com.au #StoneInitiatives #workfamily #meettheteam #womeninscience #materialstesting #buildingprojectsaustralia #buildingprojectsaustralasia #australianarchitecture #sportssurfaces #dimensionstone #naturalstone

12.01.2022 Insights into how the architecture industry can and should respond to the climate crisis. #australianarchitecture #architectureau #stoneinitiatives #climatecrisis

11.01.2022 Despite the current turmoil Stone Initiatives is fully operational. Our main priority is the safety and wellbeing of our staff and clients, which is why we are taking some important steps to help ensure they are protected against COVID-19 and we can continue to supply a timely, high level of service. WHAT WE ARE DOING... We have implemented our Infectious Diseases/COVID-19 policy to minimise the risk of our team, their families and the clients we come in contact with being exposed to COVID-19. This policy is focused on reducing risk by strictly adhering to the regulations set by government and health authorities, maintaining extremely high standards of hygiene and limiting staff travel. WILL THIS CAUSE DELAYS TO MY JOB? At this stage, due to the versatility and extensive training of our staff, we do not expect any significant delays to the delivery time of results from laboratory testing or analyses. If required, our staff are well equipped to work remotely; this will ensure the preparation of reports and consultation with clients will continue to occur in a timely manner. CHANGES TO JOBS OUTSIDE THE ADELAIDE METROPOLITAN AREA Testing or consultancy investigations involving local (Adelaide metropolitan) travel will continue with the appropriate health and safety guidelines in place. Work that requires intrastate (country SA) travel will continue contingent to a risk assessment and consequently alternative methods of assisting our clients may be implemented. All interstate or international travel has been suspended until further notice. In the event that our offices are required to close, we will continue to work offsite where possible. We will still be contactable via our regular phone numbers and email. WHAT NEXT? We are actively monitoring updates from State and Australian government and health authorities and will respond accordingly, to ensure our team continues to operate in line with the most up-to-date health and safety guidelines. We will let you know if we are required to make any significant changes that might affect you. Feel free to contact us if you have any queries or concerns. We wish our valued clients and their families all the best during this challenging time. #STONEINITIATIVES #COVID19UPDATE

10.01.2022 Say hi to Tom! Hes one of our dedicated geomaterials scientist, specialising in the evaluation of stone surface finishes to ensure fitness for use in high-end commercial projects. Tom has an interest in petrology and petrography, involving the detailed study of the composition and structure of rocks. He enjoys fossicking expeditions and has a strong interest in computers and technology. Thanks, Tom! #StoneInitiatives #meettheworkfamily #geology #petrology #naturalstone #dimensionstone #buildingprojectsaustralia #australianarchitecture #meettheteam #youngscientists The University of Adelaide #sciencedegree

10.01.2022 Throwback to 2013, to the spires at the heritage-significant St Peter's Cathedral in Adelaide. We were commissioned by McDougall & Vines Conservation and Heritage Consultants to inspect the stonework, including identifying the stone types used and the typical modes of failure. The cathedral, built 18691911, expresses the influence of French Gothic architecture in many elements of its design, with an ornate rose window above the main entrance. To learn about our heritage services visit www.stonemtg.com.au #stoneinitiatives #heritagearchitecture #mcdougallandvines #stpeterscathedral #Adelaidearchitecture #frenchgothic #adelaideheritage

08.01.2022 There is no shortage of laboratories that can provide a report full of seemingly obscure numbers. Our service benefits your business by evaluating the data to reveal the full potential of your product. Our reporting and evaluation is tailored to your needs. The report can include recommendations for possible uses and a market comparison, allowing you to focus your marketing for maximum results. This essential knowledge will allow you to market, specify and use your product wi...th added confidence. For more details about our services or to access useful technical articles visit our website. www.stonemtg.com.au Pictured: Stain testing in progress. #StoneInitiatives #staintesting #stoneanalysis #architecture #buildingandconstruction #naturalstone #stonedesign #facades #geology

07.01.2022 Slip Resistance Testing in the City of Festivals #adelaide #adelaidefestivalcentre #slipresistance #slip #stoneinitiatives

07.01.2022 Congratulations to Arcuate Architecture! Their project Smyth Memorial Chapel has won David Saunders Award for heritage architecture in the Australian Institute of Architects' 2020 South Australian Architecture Awards. Stone Initiatives worked with Arcuate on the restoration of the chapel by determining the original mortar and plaster composition, investigating salt and damp issues, identifying stone and sourcing replacement stone. Smyth Memorial Chapel is a 150-year-old g...othic icon within Adelaide's West Terrace Cemetery. Works included replacing the complex roof sheeting, carving new grotesques, repairing delicate timber moldings and forging decorative front door hinges. The project will now progress to the National Architecture Awards, to be announced in November. #arcuatearchitecture #stoneinitiatives #heritagearchitecture #ausinsarchitects #australianarchitecture #smythmemorialchapel

06.01.2022 Melbournes Parliament House is one of the citys best-known landmarks, showcasing sweeping steps, ornate lamps, a grand colonnade and impressive interiors. It is known as one of the finest examples of the civic architecture of the British Empire period anywhere in the world. During extension works in 2013, we carried out extensive quality control of the stone used and provided stone-related expert advice. We are specialists in the testing and evaluation of building stone and... related materials, as well as the matching a repair of historic materials, working with conservators, owners and architects to achieve the best outcomes for their projects. Explore our project history and services on our website: www.stonemtg.com.au #StoneInitiatives #Melbournearchitecture #parliamenthousemelbourne #heritageconservation #naturalstone #melbourneheritage #heritagearchitecture

06.01.2022 An interesting read. As we endeavour to imagine a post-COVID future, Melbourne academic Professor Philip Goad looks back at past attempts to future-proof our cities and the often forgotten role of memorials. #architectureau #stoneinitiatives #crisisarchitecture #philipgoad

04.01.2022 Some impressive projects on this year's shortlist for The Australian Institute of Architects National Architecture Awards! Congratulations to everyone who made the list and good luck in the awards announcement on 5 November. #ausinsarchitects #stoneinitiatives #nationalarchitectureawards #australianarchitecture

04.01.2022 Have you seen salt crystals grow on natural stone? Its pretty fascinating! We carried out a heritage material conservation research project that involved a rising salt damp simulation. Samples of commonly used natural dimension stones were placed on a flat bed with the bottom stone-face in contact with a saline solution (sodium chloride and sodium sulphate). We used a weekly wet-dry cycle to simulate rising salt damp in the natural environment, specifically that of stone bui...ldings in the Adelaide region. The simulation showed the behaviour of various natural stones. Scroll through the images to see more details about the process and outcome. Visit our website for information on testing and heritage conservation projects: www.stonemtg.com.au #stoneinitiatives #heritagearchitecture #heritageconservation #saltdamp #saltcrystals

03.01.2022 Meet Jim, the founder of Stone Initiatives and one of the hardest-working people we've ever met! Jim is the principal and chief consultant, specialising in the forensic examination of stone material failures for both heritage and new buildings. He has a special interest in the stories behind heritage projects and is fascinated by the hidden aspects of a structure that can be uncovered during the testing and evaluation processes. Jim is also a director of the Australian Stone ...Advisory Association - ASAA and has written technical articles for publications including Discovering Stone Magazine. When he's not working, he spends time with his family and exploring his interests in Antarctica, the history of space travel and general astronomy. #MeetTheWorkFamily #Stoneinitiatives #meetthefounder #heritagearchitecture #naturalstone #facadedesign #ASAA #discoveringstone #materialstesting #buildingdesign #australianarchitecture

03.01.2022 Check out this magnified view of salt crystals at an historic building in Adelaide! Our team found these during a moisture-mapping survey and inspection of the sub-floor cavity. Crystals are a complex mix of sodium chloride and sodium nitrate. The presence of nitrates suggests decaying biological material or a leaking stormwater pipe or sewer. Head to our website or get in touch for more info on how our tests and surveys can help you discover 'hidden' aspects of your heritage project: www.stonemtg.com.au #heritagearchitecture #stoneinitiatives #saltcrystals #heritagerestoration #scienceofcrystals #scienceandengineering

02.01.2022 Meet Graham, our quality systems and information technology supervisor. With a background in IT, surveying, cartography and conveyancing, Graham has been an integral part of the team since 2004. He enjoys helping clients achieve the best outcomes for their unique projects, and is motivated by the positive feedback received after completion of a job. In his spare time Graham likes to write and with his wife he runs a backpacker hostel. #StoneInitiatives #meettheworkfamily #cartography #naturalstone #dimensionstone #buildingprojectsaustralia #australianarchitecture #meettheteam

02.01.2022 Failure investigation is an important part of what we do at Stone Initiatives some dimension stone failures can be catastrophic, while others are just unsightly. Pictured is a job where we investigated the cause of deterioration of the retaining walls at a marina. We were also tasked with determining a remediation methodology to stabilise the walls and return them to an acceptable appearance. Like all building materials, dimension stone is subject to failure through imprope...r use, installation or maintenance. Whether it is the failure of stone in historic buildings or the premature and dramatic failure of newly laid stone tiles, the identification of the cause of such failures is important to avoid recurrence of the problem. To determine the cause and develop the correct rectification method, the investigation must cover all aspects of construction and service life. In some cases the information gained is used to settle cases of litigation. For more details on our work in failure investigation visit our website. www.stonemtg.com.au #StoneInitiatives #failureinvestigation #dimensionstone #naturalstone #marina #heritagearchitecture #buildingandconstruction

01.01.2022 " ... built environment professions have a lot to learn from Indigenous knowledge systems in the effort to combat the effects of climate change." #StoneInitiatives #architectureau #climatecrisis #indigenousknowledge

01.01.2022 Our team was recently engaged to analyse samples of concrete and mortar from Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance, the city's most striking and poignant war memorial. We discovered that the aggregate used in the mortar was a crushed, local white granite, the same granite that was used for the stonework on the shrine, which enables the mortar to be blended into the stonework to achieve a monolithic appearance. It's interesting that the mineralogy of the aggregate perfectly matches that of the granite. #stoneinitiatives #shrineofremembrance #melbournearchitecture #geologyrocks #australiangranite #whitegranite