Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2023 April 10

= April 10 =

Which way is the axis of strength of Manhattan skyscraper rock?
Schist says they have a plane of weakness while Manhattan schist says it's strong so it must have a vector of strength perpendicular to it. Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 17:52, 10 April 2023 (UTC)
 * This explains that the relative amount of mica within the schist has a pronounced effect on strength. High quartz content appears to be a strengthening element.  Here is a study that provides some strength data for various bedrocks in the New York City area as well.  -- Jayron 32 18:04, 10 April 2023 (UTC)
 * This explains the content of Manhattan schist as well; if I am reading it correctly, the variety of schist is more gneiss-like than other schists. It's important to remember that metamorphic rock exists on the schist-gneiss continuum, and depending on several factors, may lie anywhere on it.  My guess is that Manhattan schist is much more gneiss-like in its composition and structure, giving it the strength it has.  -- Jayron 32 18:08, 10 April 2023 (UTC)
 * That makes sense, one of your link sites let you go from a state list to a county list to a list of how many percent of the county is each rock type, the part not in New Jersey is https://mrdata.usgs.gov/geology/state/sgmc-unit.php?unit=NYOm;3 ("Manhattan Formation, undivided") which is also at least somewhat gneissy. Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 02:32, 12 April 2023 (UTC)
 * I would assume that most large rock formations are "strong" for building purposes, especially compared to sand ("building on sand") or marshy ground. It's all relative. 10cm of seasoned oak is plenty strong for nearly any bookshelf, but not so against post-19th century battleship guns. --Stephan Schulz (talk) 08:23, 12 April 2023 (UTC)