Characterization of the Physical and Mechanical Properties of the Harrat Ash Shaam Basalt (HASB)/Northeast Jordan

Abstract

Due to the mass demand for excellent construction materials for infrared and super structures in Jordan, intensive field and laboratory works were carried out to determine the quality of basalt as a source for construction uses or as aggregate materials. Representative basaltic samples were collected from four quarries in Harrat Ash Shaam Basalt (HASB), northeast Jordan (Al-Azraq, Tel-Hassan, Q’a-Khanna and Al-Aritayin). Necessary and accentual quality control tests were carried out on 17 samples of basalt to determine the physical and mechanical properties of target samples, whereas petrographic and chemical analysis for some representative samples have been carried out using a polarizing microscope and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). This study aims to focus on the main engineering characteristics of the basalt rocks and to shed some light on their properties. This work represents the results of petrographic and chemical analysis, tests of abrasion, absorption, specific gravity, unit weight and void ratio, sieve analysis (gradation), soundness, flakiness and elongation indices, pulse velocity and compressive strength. Petrographic studies show that the basalt is characterized by a presence mainly of calcic-plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene-augite and olivine. The composition of the basaltic samples reflects ultrabasic-basic (Basanite-Tholeiitic basalt type). The basalt is characterized by higher specific gravity, lower absorption and medium abrasion loss values, and resistance to corrosion, with medium to high compressive strength. The results of the studied physical and mechanical properties of the basalt that have been tested comply with the standard requirements. In most of the studies, basalt has good physical and mechanical properties that can be used for engineering applications.