Volcanic Tuff

General Characteristics:

Volcanic tuff is a compact rock consisting of volcanic ash with admixtures of coarser fractions – lapilli and volcanic bombs, formed as a result of the ejection of volcanic ash during a volcanic eruption, which, after being deposited as a result of pressure, was compacted into solid rock in a process called consolidation. A characteristic feature of tuffs is their high porosity and associated low weight. The tuffs are given names based on their lithological composition, such as andesitic, basaltic, trachytic, etc. tuffs. In Poland, they are found in the Sudetenland region or in the vicinity of Krzeszowice in Małopolska province. Our material is available at the Targowica basalt mine in the town of Ciepłowody in the Lower Silesian province.

Application:

Volcanic tuff with a granulation of 0/16 mm is used for the production of extensive and intensive substrates used on green roofs as a vegetative layer for plants. They are increasingly appearing in the implementation of road contracts in greenery belts or tramway tenders as trackbed infill. They are excellent for protecting building or bus stop roofs from high temperatures.

Application Benefits:

• reduce rainwater runoff from the roof by up to 65%,
• roof surfaces are 30-40% cooler, which helps regulate room temperature and reduces heat flux from the roof into the building by up to 72%,
• planting plants on tuff mixes promotes urban biodiversity,
• reduced “heat island” effect.