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Practices of sculpture and geography have collaborated ever since Stone Age humans hoisted up rocks to point them into the air. The ephemerality of life was rendered in a circle of forms and mass that celebrated the union of sky, earth and dwelling. Through the manipulation of stone, the land became a place, it became a home, it became situated and navigable. As millennia unfolded, the land was written with the story of itself. The creativity woven into the story of place is an evolution of material collaborations. In recent decades, academic geographers have explored the realms of creativity in their work, and sculptors have critically engaged with the nature of place. I have united these disciplines in the exploration of a truth of materials. The aim of the research was to investigate the relationship between making and place. The structure of my PhD focussed on the development of a transdisciplinary research environment that could host a range of creative practices around stone-working. I developed a long-term relationship with Trenoweth Dimension Granite Quarry, working as an apprentice sawman and mason. Here, I examined the everyday practices of labour and skill development, from which emerged deeper material and human interactions, that went on to inform my sculpture and modes of making. Arguing that granite has threads of relational agency embedded within its matrix, I initiated a series of practices that made use of my emerging knowledge as a granite-quarry worker, cast within experimental sculpture, texts, performance, photography and film. By formulating my methods around the vibrancy of matter, I disclosed new materialisms and more-than-human relations. This assemblage of documentation and artwork records and reflects on a series of practices and processes in tension. This productive tension arises from a re-rendering of artisanal practice as a research method; ushering in modes of representation as loops of experience and interpretation take place across different sites, spaces and times of mediation. The objective for the PhD research was to present a critically informed practice of sculpture-as-ethnography that could not only provide a model for practice-based research in general, but also significantly expand what might be meant by stone-work. This PhD by alternative submission is presented as a Commentary with an accompanying Digital Archive website.

People have varied and complex relationships with stone, in its raw geology and in its altered forms. Often, however, in cultural contexts, stone remains in the background, as a taken for granted and unremarkable element of the material world. In this thesis, stone moves into the foreground. The research presented here explores how close attention to those who work intimately with stone can disclose unexpected and absorbing stories. The cultural geologies extracted and presented in this thesis cast light on the diversity of ways in which people relate to, and with, the land; and experiment with a range of different ways in which these relations can be narrated. Set on the Jurassic Coast, in the south west of England, the stone exposures that emerge along the margin between land and sea offer a productive site for developing a cultural geological approach. The limestones, shales and clays are framed, in this work, by the narratives of quarrymen and geologists. The work explores how their particular knowledges are formed, and how they exist within wider historical and ecological understandings. Their narratives bring the stratigraphy to life, and draw attention to the hidden worlds within it. The different priorities and perspectives of quarrymen and geologists are shown to lead in different directions, interweave, or run parallel. The very specific languages and descriptions they employ reveal a level of complexity and richness of detail that is mirrored in the stone. Using an approach that combines close observation and creative practice, this study examines stone at a variety of scales, and in different contexts. The work engages with specific stone types, landscapes, voids, buildings and objects. Processes of working stone through practices of lettering, sculpture and masonry elicit understandings of the material that reach far beneath its surface. The absent spaces of quarries are then explored, showing how voids can be animated with knowledge, and how destructive processes can generate creative potential, when sensitively worked and considered. Lastly, the study draws all these ideas together in a discussion of stone assemblages in buildings, to see how voices from geology and quarrying can foster greater understanding of how buildings were constructed in the past, and how we conserve them into the future.

The Capitol Stones in Washington DC's Rock Creek Park were a delight for urban explorers, a curiosity for historians, and a tangible connection for descendants of enslaved laborers who quarried, transported, and shaped them into the United States Capitol. Banished from the East Front of the Capitol in 1958, they have spent the last third of their existence "not quite dumped, but not quite preserved either" (Banville 2009). To the National Park Service, they are a liability; to the Architect of the Capitol, a resource. At the time of writing, the stones are being relocated to a secure government storage facility where they will be permanently locked away from public view. This thesis proposes an alternative: relocate the Capitol Stones to an adaptively reused factory at the Navy Yard, where they can be stored, visited, and studied in a cavernous daylit atrium. In addition to housing the stones, as part of this thesis the WWII era naval weapons factory features retail at ground level and residences on four stories above. To the north, the atrium recalls the park-like setting of the stones' recent past, while the southern end is a working space for masons training to preserve historic buildings constructed of the same Aquia Creek sandstone. Due to the Anacostia's shifting shoreline, the site of Building 202 is also a likely location of the wharf at which the Capitol Stones first arrived in the District after being floated upriver from their Stafford County quarry. This crucial moment is marked by a contemplative memorial which stands in memory of the enslaved laborers who, across various levels of skill, built the Capitol. On axis with the memorial, the Capitol's East Portico - the origin of the Capitol Stones - is remembered at full scale.

The surface-mining worker fatalities are unacceptably high as compared to other private industries in United States such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting. Although many studies about generating a safe work environment and developing safety training through intervention modules have tried to reduce the number of worker fatalities by utilizing an administrative approach to the development of safety controls, a rigorous study about understanding craftworkers' perceptions of a safe work environment is lacking. This study particularly investigated quarry workers' safety behaviors regarding work hazards by adapting findings from construction safety research because construction and mining industries have similarities in work hazards and environment. Despite their similarities, the work fatality rate in the mining industry is greater than in the construction industry (BLS, 2018). To gain a greater understanding of how quarry workers identify and interpret work hazards and employ strategies to prevent accidents, this study explored quarry workers' perceptions of work hazards (i.e., hazard identification, severity interpretation) and their preventive strategies to develop a safer working environment at the workplace. To accomplish this, a single descriptive case study was conducted with multiple sources of data such as interviews with photo elicitation, field notes, site photographs, and precursory meeting with safety managers. These sources of data were used to investigate quarry workers' identification and interpretation skills and utilization of preventive strategies. This study will contribute to improve safety of workers by incorporating workers' perceptions of work hazards and by exploring their experience to the development of safety training.

This thesis explores relationships between the National Mall and the quarries that supported its construction. It focuses on the Washington Monument and its source of material, the Cockeysville Quarry, Maryland. By studying the movement of stone, the thesis begins to understand both sites as landscapes in process. It then examines the sites histories including land forms, immigrated laborers and railways changes associated with quarrying and construction. It happens that Ian McHarg also studied both sites fifty years ago in Design with Nature. Mcharg's analysis overlooks the potential of the industrial quarry to recharge the Marble Valley aquifer and does not account for the projected sea level rise on the National Mall. It is necessary to examine the two sites again. McHarg's ecological principles and methods are still the basic evaluation criteria for the examination (especially his understanding of landscapes as process.) The design project of this thesis uses shifting hydrologies at both sites to drive new uses,earthwork, urban forest (tree canopies), and axial relationships, inspired by the materials, forms, and historical links between the two landscapes. By looking at the landscapes as a pair, the design recalls the past connections between the sites and constructs new relationships ideologically and physically.

By pairing the unique and varying physical conditions of open-pit mines with the contextual situations and issues that surround them, these often abandoned and overlooked gaps in the earth can be rethought as a new landscape for creating future infrastructures that uniquely address national and global issues that are likely to increasingly effect our world in the future. This thesis project aims to rethink and restore purpose to these numerous vacant gaps left in the earth to determine how their unique conditions can provide a greater benefit to society through adaptive reuse.

Limestone quarries are a source of construction materials that are utilized in our everyday lives. Karst landscapes cover up to 15 percent of the Earth’s surface, and limestone quarries are found in these environmentally sensitive regions where groundwater and surface-water interactions are dynamic and complex. Several studies have provided conceptual models of groundwater flow to and out of quarries. The goal of this research was to describe the geochemistry of water exfiltration from limestone quarries in karst regions via joints, fractures, faulting, or karst features and to determine if limestone quarries are “engineered sinkholes”; that is to say: did quarries, by nature of removal of overlying regolith and subsequent excavation into bedrock, act to increase infiltration into karst groundwater systems, potentially effecting some influence on groundwater chemistry? Water chemistry, water stable isotopes and dye trace data were used as means for characterizing groundwater flow out of and near limestone quarries. Connections between quarries and nearby springs were established based on evaporation indicated by water isotopes and similar trends in nitrate, calcium, chloride, and other water chemistry characteristics data. The dye trace conducted did not prove a connection between a dry quarry and nearby springs during the study period, further highlighting the complexities of groundwater flow in karst landscapes. Nitrate, pH, calcium, and alkalinity water chemistry characteristics between springs near quarries and springs near sinkholes were statistically different indicating that the differences in soil cover may have a great impact on water chemistry and nutrient transport. Because of the differences between sinkholes and quarries, applications of geologic time were considered for the formation of soil and karst features at active, dry, and lake quarry sites. Groundwater is flowing out of limestone quarries in karst landscapes via joints, fractures, and conduits even though signatures of quarry water was not found in all of the monitored springs. The data from this study suggests that a deeper, regional groundwater flow path into large springs and spring-fed streams is the likely output of water from limestone quarries in karst landscapes.

This thesis project came out of an idea that architecture can serve to understand the transformation and history of place. In other words, can architecture be interpreted to give opportunities for displaying glimpses of the past, almost like occasional flashbacks? Based on this idea, I designed a building to make this idea tangible and to test the veridicality of my intention. In looking for a site, I sought out interesting places and moments in nature that would convey this idea I was studying. A quarry in Blacksburg, Virginia, an open-pit mine where dimension stone, sand, gravel and slate were excavated, provided me with an opportunity to explore this idea. The building I designed would help to display the original state of this old quarry, now half-filled with water. I started researching the history and development of stone quarries in order to understand essential and accidental connections associated with the present. The overall organization of the building forged a relationship with the surrounding nature and the contour of the mountains. The whole building was sunken into the edge of the cliff to reduce the appearance of the building's volume from the entrance. The slope was utilized to coordinate with the building. The water became a thread that articulates a person's progression throughout the building. The main entrance was at the top of the slope, with a path that leads down the slope along the building to a platform with a view of the site and temporary outdoor exhibits, which allows also for a more immediate interaction with the water. The building responded to the depth of the quarry, bringing it below the surface of the water. The shadow pool of water, trickling down below, draws attention to the curved staircase. Once reaching the bottom level, you can see the water running slowly along the vertical concrete wall. At this point, you enter the exhibits on the general history of stone quarries and the specific history of this stone quarry. Stone samples and tools used in the old times are also displayed on this floor. The second and third floors are collections of modern conditions of stone quarries as well as possible future technologies. The building was conceived as a composition of basic elements, with visual reference to rectangular and circular shapes, and interstitial space enclosures cast in concrete. The choice to use concrete was based on its ability to take flexible shapes and to be enhanced by repeated elements representing natural state of the quarry, as well as an approach to emphasizing light and volume.

Particulate matter has been a known health concern in all work environments including quarries and lime facilities for nearly 40 years. While a great amount of information is available on silica samples and concentrations at these facilities, there is less information on nuisance dust. The health effects of particulate matter can increase dramatically as the particulate matter decreases in size. Particulate matter of less than 2.5 µm are of particular concern because they can penetrate deep into the lungs. A quarry and its adjacent processing facility in Northwest Ohio was studied for PM1, PM2.5, PM5, PM10, PMTotal, and ultrafine particulate matter. Additionally, environmental data including temperature and relative humidity were studied. The study focused on four locations at the south side of the plant. The greatest concentration of particulate matter was measured outside near a load-out operation. The least concentration of particulate matter was measured inside an operator’s control room. The null hypotheses was rejected for each size category of particulate matter. Twenty-three statistical differences were found in this study. These statistical differences confirm the effective use of a control room to reduce employee exposure.

This research is the result of archaeological testing that occurred from 2010–2012 at 38AL228, a multi-component quarry related site in Allendale County, South Carolina. This thesis 1) provides a summary of the testing in order to define the cultural sequence and isolate the Clovis component for further analysis, and 2) compares the Clovis lithic assemblage from 38AL228 with the Clovis lithic assemblage from the Topper site (38AL23) to explore possible manufacturing variability based on distance from the source of raw material within the Allendale chert quarries. The premise for the comparative analysis is framed around the concept of differential lithic signatures and site functions within a lithic quarry region as developed by Gardner (1974, 1977) for the Flint Run Quarry Complex in Virginia. No naturally occurring source of Allendale chert has been found at 38AL228, the nearest being 150-200 meters away, while Topper is located directly adjacent to a primary chert source. The large quantity of tools, cores, and lithic manufacturing debris at 38AL228 suggests that raw material was transported in and tool manufacturing occurred at the site. This analysis tests whether any substantive variation in lithic manufacturing exists between the two assemblages and examines the results in the context of proximity to the raw material source. The results of this analysis demonstrate variability in certain aspects of lithic manufacturing at 38AL228 and Topper and no recognizable variability in other aspects. Distance from the raw material source did not significantly influence Clovis biface production. All stages of Clovis biface manufacture are represented at 38AL228, and their distribution is proportionally similar to the Clovis bifaces recovered at Topper. Clovis blade technology is encountered more frequently at 38AL228 than Topper, suggesting that high-quality chert nodules or prepared blade cores were selectively imported into 38AL228 for blade manufacture. The types and frequency of Clovis flake tools indicate that non-lithic manufacturing activities were occurring in similar proportions at 38AL228 and Topper.

The research presented in this thesis results from efforts to evaluate current design methodologies for safety benches in surface aggregate quarries. Proper bench design is important for preventing rockfall related accidents and injuries without wasting the reserves held in the benches. An in depth analysis has been performed using the results from 230 rockfall tests conducted at two surface quarries. The goal of this project is to give practitioners the tools they need for improved bench design. Principal Components and Cluster Analysis, techniques not previously applied to rockfall investigations, have been performed on the test data. The results indicate that both are valid analytical methods which show that the factors affecting the rollout distance of a rock are wall configuration, rock dimensions, and rock energy. The test results were then compared to the Ritchie Criteria, Modified Ritchie Criterion, Ryan and Pryor Criterion, Oregon Department of Transportation design charts, and RocFall computer simulations. Analysis shows that the lognormal distribution curves fitted to the test data provide an excellent yet quick design reference. The recommended design method is computer simulation using RocFall because of the ease of simulation and the site specific nature of the program. For the two quarries studied, RocFall analysis showed that 20 ft benches with a 4 ft berm will hold over 95% of rockfalls, a design supported by the field testing. Conducting site-specific rockfall testing is also recommended to obtain realistic input parameters for the simulations and to provide design justification to regulatory agencies.

To aid in determining the impact of quarry dewatering on Kelleys Island, Ohio, three steady-state, numerical models were constructed using MODFLOW. Paleozoic aged carbonate rocks under thin glacial till deposits form the bedrock aquifer. A 200-acre quarry in the western part of the island began active dewatering in June 2005.A Case 1 model was constructed assuming a homogeneous carbonate aquifer and was calibrated against measured water levels and quarry discharge rates. Two additional models were created—one assuming an anisotropic aquifer, the other assuming a layered heterogeneous aquifer. All models were compared to measured hydraulic head values to assess a statistical goodness of fit.The results of this study are not conclusive because none of the three models had an acceptable goodness of fit. This may be due to overly simplistic assumptions regarding the influence of fractures and bedding planes on the ground-water flow system.

Every place on earth has a voice. This voice resonates from the shaping events that have long passed and the current conditions that continue to give each place its individual character. The voice continually evolves as the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth leaves its trace. This voice in its endless variety of forms expresses the beauty that is inherent within each and every location on earth. The potential of architecture is the translation of this voice into human terms and the formal declaration that we as humans play a meaningful part in the cycle. The guiding forms, surfaces, substances of architecture allow the human body to move in grace, unhindered, and inspires the mind to sense the essential connection between matter spirit; between the individual and the whole. The role of the architect is to become sensitive to this voice; to silence the mind enough to hear, and to respond to it in material form. The resulting dialogue between the edifice and the encompassing site reaches a certain completeness that enriches the living experience of the end user, bringing the wandering mind to the present long enough to inspire the thought that "I belong here, among all of this." The technical training required in order to gain an inherent understanding of structure and materials takes years of experience in the field of architecture. However, it has been the focus of my graduate career to further develop this sensitivity to the site and make my first attempts at formulating an architectural response, suggesting structures that could achieve this engagement with the end user and the site itself.

Quarry operators must continue to change and adapt environmental compliance methods to meet increasingly demanding regulations. To fulfill industry needs, a computer-based decision support system has been developed to facilitate legal and environmental decisions that mine operators are required to make with regards to stormwater. The comprehensive stormwater programming provides a model for subsequent programming in areas of environmental concern such as: air, groundwater, noise, aesthetics, vegetation, wetlands, hazardous wastes, storage tanks, and wildlife habitats. Operators will utilize the system's user-friendly interface consisting of mouse driven responses and limited keyboard entries on a desktop computer. The system is easy to upgrade according to the user's needs and changes in current laws and regulations. Data input models, user interfaces, and support of decision making are explained. Using this approach, the user has complete control over all steps of the decision making process. A stormwater example is selected to demonstrate the potential benefits of the support system to environmental decision makers.