Aggregate Evaluation and Geochemical Investigation of Limestone for Construction Industries in Pakistan: An Approach for Sustainable Economic Development

Asad Kamran, Liaqat Ali (), Waqas Ahmed, Sobia Zoreen, Shah Jehan, Hammad Tariq Janjuhah (), Charalampos Vasilatos and George Kontakiotis
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Asad Kamran: National Centre of Excellent in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, Pakistan
Liaqat Ali: National Centre of Excellent in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, Pakistan
Waqas Ahmed: National Centre of Excellent in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, Pakistan
Sobia Zoreen: Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
Shah Jehan: National Centre of Excellent in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, Pakistan
Hammad Tariq Janjuhah: Department of Geology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal 18050, Pakistan
Charalampos Vasilatos: Department of Economic Geology and Geochemistry, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, School of Earth Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistiomiopolis, Zografou, 15784 Athens, Greece
George Kontakiotis: Department of Historical Geology-Paleontology, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, School of Earth Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou, 15784 Athens, Greece

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 17, 1-21

Abstract: The present study investigates the aggregate suitability and geochemical characteristics of limestone (LS) from the Samana Suk Formation, Pakistan, for the construction industry. With the advent of CPEC, the demand for construction materials has seen a manifold increase. The Sheikh Budin Hills and Trans Indus Ranges comprise huge deposits of limestone and provide great potential for source rocks for construction materials in the region. In the Upper Indus Basin of Pakistan, the Samana Suk Formation is acknowledged as the most significant carbonate deposits of Mesozoic strata. The results of aggregate parameters reveal that specific gravity (SG = 2.6); water absorption (WA = 0.47%); bulk density (BD = 1.58 g/cm 3 ); flakiness index (FI = 16.8%); elongation index (EI = 16.39%); soundness (S = 1.6%); aggregate impact value (AIV = 14%); Los Angeles Abrasion value (LAAV = 23.51%); clay lumps (CL = 0.35%); uniaxial compressive strength (UCS = 86.7 MPa); point load test (PLT = 5.18 MPa); ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV = 5290 m/s); and Schmidt hammer rebound test (SHRT = 49 N) are in accordance with the ASTM, ISRM, and BSI. Petrographically, the LS is dominantly composed of ooids, peloids, bioclasts, and calcite mineral (CaCO 3 ) with a trace concentration of dolomite [(Ca,Mg)CO 3 ]. The mineralogical and geochemical study ( n = 18) revealed that the LS is dominantly composed of calcite (95.81%); on average, it is composed of 52.08 wt.% CaO; 1.13 wt.% SiO 2 ; 0.66 wt.% MgO; 0.80 wt.% Al 2 O 3 ; and 0.76 wt.% Fe 2 O 3 , and loss on ignition (LOI) was recorded as 42.13 wt.%. On the other hand, P 2 O 5 , TiO 2 , MnO, K 2 O and Na 2 O were found in trace amounts. The regression analysis demonstrated that the empirical correlation equation for estimating uniaxial compressive strength with ultrasonic pulse velocity is more reliable than the Schmidt hammer rebound test and point load test. Consequently, the feasibility of using LS of the Samana Suk Formation as an aggregate for construction materials and cement manufacturing is recommended based on the testing results of mechanical, physical, and geochemical properties.

Keywords: aggregate parameters; construction industries; economic geology; Schmidt hammer rebound test; petrography; carbonates; engineering properties (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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