The engineering assessments and potential aggregate analysis of mesozoic carbonates of Kohat Hills Range, KP, Pakistan

Abstract

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the ongoing mega construction project in Pakistan. This project provides multi trading routes like roads, railways and fiber optics to more than 70 countries. Additionally, local infrastructure and industrial zones construction in Pakistan is also the part of this project. This construction needs a considerable amount of construction materials. Therefore, the Mesozoic carbonates were studied in the vicinity of Kohat Hills Range, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, for the fundamental engineering assessments. The Mesozoic carbonates are extensively exposed in Kohat Hills Range. The petrographic observations reveal that these carbonates are dominantly composed of limestone with subordinate dolomites. The limestone is well preserved and not extensively affected by diagenesis, which affects the aggregate capability, and there was not found any deleterious material which can cause alkali–silica reaction and alkali–carbonate reaction. Likewise, the fundamental engineering tests were performed, which shows proper matching with petrographic observation. The specific gravity, water absorption, soundness, los angeles abrasion value, unite weight, impact value, flakiness and elongation, bitumen coating, and crushing values reveal that these aggregates are well according to the specified limits of the international standards AASHTO, ASTM, and BS. Based on the results obtained, the Mesozoic carbonates of the Kohat Hills rang are recommended as potential aggregate resources for megaprojects like CPEC and other ongoing construction projects.