Chalk
![]() |
Contents |
[edit] Description
Chalk is a white, fine-grained, often soft crumbly type of limestone, made up of the shells of minute organisms that form into a sedimentary rock. Most chalk rocks were deposited during the Cretaceous period (145.5 million to 65.5 million years ago). It derives its name from the Latin word (creta) for chalk - although most Cretaceous rocks are not chalks.
The purest chalk rocks can be almost totally made up of calcium carbonate in the form of the mineral calcite, others will contain other materials such as quartz and silica as well as clay minerals and calcium phosphate. There are many chalk deposits along the Southern coast of England, which are dramatically exposed as white cliffs such as the white cliffs of Dover and the Seven Sisters in Sussex.
Chalk is porous and therefore can hold water, which can be advantageous for areas that suffer from drought because these rock types can provide a natural reservoir that releases water slowly.
In most cases chalk rocks can be easily accessed and examined as they are close to the surface and have not deformed over time.
[edit] Mining
Ancient chalk mines exist across much of southern England, associated with agriculture, often found next to field boundaries or woodland. Today, with seven of the ten leading global exporters, Europe has many mines, with France and Germany as top exporters. Chalk is generally open cast mined with a few closed cast mines.
[edit] Major uses
Today chalk is classified into natural and human-made chalk. Natural chalk as mined across Europe has been used as a raw material for quicklime, slaked lime and cement, it is also used in agriculture as a means of reducing the acidity of soils. Chalk has applications in power plants to neutralise acid gasses that are generated and as a filler and pigment in paper, plastic and construction materials. The traditional, more direct uses of chalk in construction also continue with in cob construction quicklime, bricks and builder's putty (with flaxseed oil) although this now often replaced with human-made chalk.
In 1965 the Institution of Civil Engineers organised a conference on the use of chalk in earthworks and foundations. In the UK, Chalk is used for a variety of civil engineering purposes including the construction of embankments for railways, trunk roads, motorways, fills, tunnels, cuttings, retaining structures, shallow foundations and pile foundations.
[edit] Minor uses
Other broader uses of natural chalk, now mostly replaced by human-made chalk, include the production of blackboard chalk (traditionally natural chalks now from mineral gypsum or calcium sulfate), and pavement, field and boundary marking chalk powder (now mostly titanium dioxide). In gymnastics, rock climbing, weight lifting and combat traction, magnesium carbonate is now generally used. Chalk used by tailors as well as carpenters was traditionally hard and now often made of magnesium silicate. Finally it is used as a mild abrasive and might be added to toothpaste, to help cleaning and as an additive to metal polish.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.