Stone, Brick and Concrete Masonry on Mars

Sedimentary rock and clay mineral deposits are known to exist on Mars. Substantial amounts of water ice in the form of polar caps, glacial deposits, and subsurface ice are also a recognized natural resource. Dry stacked stone construction, stones placed without the use of mortar, using sedimentary rocks is the oldest form of durable building used by humans. Mud bricks, composed of clay and water, used by early civilizations in the deserts of Earth, created monumental and iconic structures, some of which have endured for more than a thousand years. Concrete a mixture of sand, gravel, and a binding agent can also be produced from Martian materials. Masonry construction, the use of stones, bricks, and concrete will create the first generations of truly Martian buildings, which will endure for centuries. Construction techniques associated with heavy masonry construction on Mars are described.