Abstract
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a massive in-progress construction project in Pakistan that connects more than 70 countries via multiple trade channels such as highways, railways, roads, and fiber optics. This project also involves the development of local infrastructure and industrial zones in Pakistan, which demands the discovery of new resources of aggregate to facilitate the construction. Therefore, physical characterization research was carried out on the Kirman hill region (Jurassic limestone), District Kurram, Pakistan, to investigate their suitability for utilization as construction materials using site investigation and laboratory studies. The results outline that all typical engineering parameters are within acceptable limits set by international standards like BS, ASTM, and AASHTO. Bituminous tests revealed that Jurassic limestone is appropriate as an aggregate for asphalt wearing coarse. Likewise, the petrographic study performed shows proper matching with engineering tests. The petrographic analysis of Jurassic limestone showed a minute amount of deleterious content; as a result, it is resistant to Alkali silica reaction (ASR) and Alkali carbonate reaction (ACR) expansions. Based on engineering and petrographic analysis, the Jurassic limestone, Kirman hill region, District Kurram, Pakistan is recommended as a potential aggregate for (i.e., base course, subbase course, cement concrete, and asphalt) and other mega and minor civil construction projects. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2022-08-03-02 Full Text: PDF
Highlights
Limestone is most commonly utilized as a potential aggregate for minor and mega civil projects in Pakistan [1]
The present study focuses on evaluating the resource potential of Jurassic limestone for usage as aggregate based on its geotechnical properties and petrographic analysis to determine its suitability as an aggregate source for roads, cement concrete, and other civil projects
The Alkali silica reaction (ASR) and Alkali carbonate reaction (ACR) occur when the Aggregate interacts with water [48]
Summary
Limestone is most commonly utilized as a potential aggregate for minor and mega civil projects in Pakistan [1]. Geological materials occur as sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks [2]. Sedimentary rocks, such as gravels, pebbles, cobbles, and broken rocks, comprise the majority of construction materials [2, 3]. Igneous and metamorphic rocks can be used as building materials, depending on their appropriateness and transportation costs. Older limestone is more substantial and suitable for use on road surfaces and under pavements. It has been widely used as a crushing aggregate for the construction industry because of its benefits, such as increased concrete strength, reduced risk of ASR, ACR, and reduced drying shrinkage [4]. Every limestone aggregates are not suitable for construction work because their physical/Mechanical and chemical characteristics vary significantly with various geological sources [5]
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