Iran ranks 2nd in stone mechanics

Tehran, Dec 7, IRNA - Iran ranks second in stone mechanics following China, said head of Association of Stone Mechanics.

Speaking to IRNA on Saturday, Abbas Majdi added that given the fact
that more than 57 percent of the country is made of stone, the
significance of stone mechanics becomes clear.

However, this branch of science is not known in Iran as it deserves
and the institutes involved in the field do not pay attention to it,
he said.

Stone mechanics is the study of stones' behavior against forces they
are exposed to.

"Today in Iran, only Water and Power Sources Development Company
affiliated to Energy Ministry takes advantage of the science," he
said, noting that this is while Mines and Industries Ministry which is
in charge of the country's mines, has no experience in the field.

Iran is a member of the International Society of Stone Mechanics which
has 48 members, 12 of which are from Asia.

According to Majdi, Iran's Association of Stone Mechanics organizes a
symposium every year and a congress every four years, showcasing the
latest achievements of the country in the field.

Efforts should be made to standardize scientific activities in the
field, he said.