Rubble
Origin
Middle English robyl
Definitions
- 1a : broken fragments (as of rock) resulting from the decay or destruction of a building <fortifications knocked into rubble — C. S. Forester>
- 2: waterworn or rough broken stones or bricks used in coarse masonry or in filling courses of walls
- 3: rough stone as it comes from the quarry
Description
Rubble is broken stone, of irregular size, shape and texture. Rubble naturally found in the soil is known also as brash (compare cornbrash). Where present, it becomes more noticeable when the land is ploughed or worked.
Rubble-work" is a name applied to several types of masonry. One kind, where the stones are loosely thrown together in a wall between boards and grouted with mortar almost like concrete, is called in Italian "muraglia di getto" and in French "bocage". In Pakistan, walls made of rubble and concrete, cast in a formwork, are called 'situ', which probably derives from Sanskrit (similar to the Latin 'in situ' meaning 'made on the spot').
Work executed with more or less large stones put together without any attempt at courses is called rubble walling. Where similar work is laid in courses, it is known as coursed rubble. Dry-stone walling is somewhat similar work done without the use of mortar. It is bound together by the fit of the stones and the regular placement of stones which extend through the thickness of the wall. A rubble wall built with mortar will be stronger if assembled in this way.
