What are the characteristics of granitic gneiss?

Matt, thank you for the A2A. Michael gave you an excellent answer, so I will just build upon that using information from geology.com. I hope this is helpful to you. read more

Gneiss is coarser than schist and has distinct banding. This banding has alternating layers that are composed of different minerals. The minerals that compose gneiss are the same as granite. Feldspar is the most important mineral that makes up gneiss along with mica and quartz. read more

Uses of Gneiss. Gneiss usually does not split along planes of weakness like most other metamorphic rocks. This allows contractors to use gneiss as a crushed stone in road construction, building site preparation, and landscaping projects. Some gneiss is durable enough to perform well as a dimension stone. read more

Geotechnical characteristics of the weathered granitic gneiss that poses geohazards during excavation are identified, including: (1) uneven grain size distribution, (2) water softening of the residual soils, and 3) spherical weathered boulder. read more