Aggregate suitability and Geo-chemical investigation of limestone for construction industries in Pakistan: An approach for economic development

Abstract

This study investigated the aggregate suitability and geo-chemical characteristics of limestone (LS) for construction industries. The results of aggregate parameters for different applications revealed that specific gravity (SG = 2.6), water absorption (WA = 0.47%), bulk density (BD = 1.58 g/cm3), flakiness index (FI = 16.8%), elongation index (EI = 16.39%), soundness (S = 1.6%), aggregate impact value (AIV = 14%), Los Angles 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 ASTM, ISRM and BSI. Petrographically, the LS is dominantly composed of ooids, peloids, bioclasts and calcite (CaCO3) with trace concentration of the dolomite. Geochemical results (n = 18) indicated that the LS is dominantly made up of calcite (95.81%); while on average it is composed of 52.08 wt.% CaO, 1.13 wt. % SiO2, 0.66 wt. %, MgO, 0.80 wt. % Al2O3, 0.76 wt. % Fe2O3 and LOI were recorded as 42.13 wt. %. Whereas, P2O5, TiO2, MnO, K2O and Na2O are found in trace amount. Regression analysis demonstrates that the empirical correlation equation for estimating uniaxial compressive strength with ultrasonic pulse velocity is more reliable than Schmidt hammer rebound test and point load test. The findings of this study strongly suggest LS of the area has a great potential as a raw material in construction industries.