Pila Spi Formation Research Articles

Spatial Distribution of Wells in the Eastern Side of Nineveh Governorate – Iraq

Groundwater is an important resource, especially in areas where water resources do not meet the requirements of life. Therefore, population centers in areas far from rivers are linked to the quantity and quality of groundwater available. The study area represents a large part of the eastern part of Nineveh Governorate, which is dotted with small cities and villages with population and agricultural activity. The quantity and quality of groundwater are related to the nature of the reservoir rocks in the region, which are mainly represented by the Pila Spi Formation, composed of dolomite limestone, the Fat’ha Formation, composed of periodic successions of marl, limestone, and gypsum, and the Injana Formation, composed of periodic successions of sandstone, siltstone, and clay. The quality of the rocks exposed in the study area, especially at the feet of the Bashiqa and Ain Al-Safra mountains, and the ability of the minerals that make up them to dissolve in conditions of weathering and erosion also affect the water content of dissolved salts. The water quality index (WQI) was calculated to determine its suitability for civil use based on the physical (pH, E.C, T.D.S and T.H) and chemical (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3-, SO42-, Cl- and NO3-) specifications. In light of this, the distribution of wells was determined according to their specifications. In general, there were six regions; The first in the northern part has excellent water, the second in the south has good water, the third in the south has unsuitable water, and the fourth area, which represents the area confined between the city of Mosul and Mount Bashiqa, has poor water quality, while the area adjacent to Ain Al-Sufra Mountain is classified as having good water quality, while The area located to the southwest towards the Tigris River is of very poor quality. There are sites for wells whose specifications vary according to the type of activity there.

Evaluation of Cretaceous-Tertiary Limestone for Building and Dimension Stones in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

In Kurdistan NE of Iraq extensive beddings of well bedded carbonate rocks deposited within Tertiary- Cretaceous age. For this purpose various studies of petrographic, physical, mechanical, and chemical properties for building construction were carried out. Appearance of rocks was measured in the field by thickness of the beddings, joints, fractures, and brightness. The petrographic study achived under transmitted light microscope for diagenesis, weathering, allochems, and matrix. Measuring specific gravity, density, water absorption, moisture content, porosity, and saturation coefficient to qualify the rock according to its physical properties, whereas measuring compressive strength of the rocks were determined for qualifying the mechanical properties, the XRF test for determining the oxides and durability tests for qualifying their chemical properties. Eleven samples selected from Qamchuqa Formation in Binabawi anticline, Aqra-Bekhme Formation in Shakrok anticline, Shiranish Formation in Pirat anticline, Shiranish Formation in Harir anticline, Shiranish Formation in Safin anticline, Shiranish Formation in Shakrok anticline, Pila Spi Formation in Pirmam anticline, Khurmala Formation in Bina Bawi anticline, Fatha Formation in Kori syncline, Anah Formation in South Qara Chugh anticline, and Euphrates Formation in North Qara Chugh anticline. The results in terms of economic demand for building and dimension stones showed that samples of Shiranish Formation from Pirat, Safin, Harir, and Shakrok anticline are highly recommended as dimension stone and building stone, while samples of Qamchuqa, Aqra-Bekhme, Pilaspi, Khurmala, and Euphrates Formations are accepted but not recommended as dimension stone and dimension stone, samples of Fatha and Anah Formations are not accepted as dimension stone, but accepted as building stones as an insulator.

Geochemical characteristics of bitumen seeps from the pila spi and bekhme formations: insights from fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and trace metals

A collection of 9 bitumen samples from Pila Spi Formation (Middle–Late Eocene) and Bekhme Formation (Late Campanian – Early Maastrichtian) were subjected for geochemical analysis of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and trace metals. The results of FTIR analysis reveal the different intensity for the samples of both formations. The broad band centered around 1500–2000 cm−1 which is indicative of the presence of C=O Stretch band and C=C Stretch might be assigned to a carbonyl stretching. The Frequency of the bitumen - derived asphaltene samples of the Gulley Keer indicate the presence of Carboxylic acids, while no band appeared for Bekhme samples which indicates the absence of Carboxylic acid. The peak absorption bands of the analyzed samples at 1452, 2802, 2905, and 3050cm−1 can be due to C-H bending, Alkyl C-H stretch, and Alkenyl C-H stretching respectively. Based on the Aromatic, Aliphatic and long chain indices as well as the ratio of Nickle to Vanadium, two different sources of the organic matter are suggested for analyzed samples. Moreover, all samples from both sections are believed to be from a marine euxinic carbonate environment with the exception of one sample that seems to be marine anoxic- shale- carbonate.

Petrographic and Lithofacies of Injana Formation Berman Inticline Northern Iraq

This study is including Petrographic and Lithofacies investigation of Injana Formation North Iraq. The Formation composed of succession of sandstone, siltstone and claystone cycles. The grain size analysis and indicated that the sandstone composed of medium to coarse grains, minor percent silt and clay. The petrographic indicated that the quartz with percent monocrystalline (11-30%) and polycrystalline (4-10%) type , while the feldspar forming mostly of Plagioclace feldspar (2-7.88%) and K-feldspar (5.20-11%). The rocks and fragments mostly of carbonate with percent (15.20- 22.20%) derived from outcrop rocks especially from Fatha and Pilaspi Formation in the area. The recognized clay mineral are; Montmorellonite, palygorskite, kaolinite and chlorite

Evaluation of Limestone from Cretaceous to Tertiary age in Kurdistan Region of Iraq for Heavy Duty Road Pavement

Aggregates have an important role in the development and quality of Hot Mix Asphalt pavement, Engineers prefer using different types of acidic aggregates as a dominant road pavement mixture. This study is focused on using a basic aggregate, for this purpose limestone is used as a replacement to sandstone and gravel in the Hot Mix Asphalt for base and binder course, due to its rough, tough, durable and stable properties, that adheres well with the binder due to its hydrophobic properties. A petrographic study and chemical analysis by XRF method was carried out for better determining the mineralogical and chemical contents. Los Angeles Abrasion test carried out for measuring abrasion of the limestone aggregates in Kurdistan Region Iraq from Cretaceous-Tertiary age in different sources of the Shiranish Formation in Pirat, Harir, and Safin, Aqra-Bekhme in Shakrok, the Pila Spi Formation in Pirmam, Khurmala Formation in Safin, the Euphrates Formation in North Qarachugh, and the Qamchuqa Formation in Bana Bawi, while the only last four formations selected for Marshal test depending on wear <45% according to Iraqi SORB, 2003 standards. The soundness test results showed that the selected four samples are within the required specifications. The aggregate-asphalt mixture molds were prepared with the optimum binder content of 4.7%, for the Marshall stability test, which revealed that all the selected four samples are suitable as a heavy-duty pavestone for the base and binder course, with BQ and Pm showed optimum stability results.

Applicability of Nanoparticle Flooding Process in a Carbonate Rock of Kurdistan Region: Experimental Investigation of Interfacial Tension and Wettability

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) has long proven to be a good method to mobilize the residual oil that is by passed and capillary trapped by secondary recovery methods. Chemical EOR methods enhance the microscopic and macroscopic efficiency, and ultimately the overall oil recovery is improved. However, the adsorption rate of the surfactant, low resistance to high temperature and salinity are some of the factors that would turn chemical flooding impractical and uneconomic in many cases. Lately, the application of nanotechnology in enhanced oil recovery has showcased some good and prolific results in terms of incremental oil recovery. In this study, the applicability of Nanoparticle flooding in carbonate rocks of Pilaspi formation was probed through a series of tests such as thin section analysis, x-ray diffraction, x-ray fluorescence, interfacial tension and contact angle measurements. The results showed that the composition of the carbonate rocks is predominantly calcite (CaCO3) with minor traces of quartz and dolomite. From the interfacial tension (IFT) measurements, it was figured out that the silica and alumina Nanofluids lowered the IFT by 27% and 42% with the light oil, and 43% and 49% with the heavy oil, respectively. The contact angle measurements revealed that the Alumina Nano-fluid at 0.25 wt. % reduced the contact angle on the surface of the light and heavy oil aged thin sections from 169◦ and 115◦ to nearly 119◦ and 78◦. On the other hand, the silica nanoparticle at 0.25 wt. % reduced the contact angles on both thin section types to around 129◦ and 80◦, respectively.

Sequence Stratigraphy of the Fatha Formation in Shaqlawa Area, Northern Iraq

A surface section of the Fatha Formation (Middle Miocene) was studied in the Shaqlawa area, Erbil, Northern Iraq. It consists of siliciclastic silt, evaporates, and carbonates in a mixed siliciclastic silt composition. The Fatha Formation in the study area can be divided into two members of variable thickness based on rocky differences. Depositional settings ranged from shallow open-marine and restricted-hypersaline to supratidal and continental (sabkha, fluvio-deltaic, and exposure). It is bounded below by a type one sequence boundary above the Eocene Pila Spi Formation and marked by conglomerates. The upper sequence boundary with the Injana Formation is conformable. Thirteen sedimentary facies were distinguished in the Fatha Formation within the Shaqlawa region of northern Iraq and include sandstone to mudstone, wavy bedded sandstone to mudstone, Flaser bedded sandstone to mudstone, Marl, sandstone, cross lamination sandstone, Trough cross bedded sandstone, Planar cross bedded sandstone, marly limestone lithofacies, bioclastic grainstone to packstone microfacies, bioclastic lime mudstone to wackestone microfacies, lime mudstone-wackestone microfacies, and gypsum lithofacies. The depositional environment of the formation was inferred based on the facies association concepts. The succession formation can be divided into several third-order cycles, which reflect fluctuations in the relative sea-level rise. High-frequency cycles of transgressive System Tract and Highstand System tract. Fundamental to the evolution of the sequence, in this case, is the local tectonic component.

Determination of Rock Slope Stability Using Stereographic Projection between Sulav and Amadiyah Resorts

Geological discontinuities play a significant role in the assessment of rock slope stability. Rock slope stability has been studied on the main road between Sulav and Amadiya resorts in Duhok governorate on the southern limb of Mateen anticline, to determine the expected rock slides on this road. Five (5) stations were chosen to study these rock slides that may occur on these steep slopes. All these stations within Pila Spi Formation that consists of hard dolomitic limestone and covering the areas from Sulav resort towards Amadiya district with a length of up to 2.5 Kms. The Stereographic analysis was used to study and classify the stability of these slopes. The analysis showed in all stations the possibility of plane sliding to happen on the bedding plane, and the wedge sliding between the bedding plane and planes of all joint sets, as well as the occurrence of rockfall on some stations.

Slope Stability Analysis of Haibat Sultan Road Cut, Kurdistan Region, Iraq Using a Field Method

The road that crosses the Haibat Sultan Mountain in the northern part of Iraq; is one of the dangerous roads in this region. To perform a slope stability analysis for the dangerous parts of the road, we have used Bejerman’s Method. We have reviewed satellite images of the road and all those potential areas were checked in the field; accordingly, eleven stations were recognized. Landslide Possibility Index was determined at the studied stations following Bejerman’s field method. The road climbs the southern face (dip slope) of the mountain through very hard carbonate rocks of the Pila Spi Formation, where the bedding planes daylight in the slope face near the road cuts. This produced many large landslides. Along the northern face of the mountain, the road runs through soft clastic rocks where joint planes in the rock mass intersect and daylight in the slope face near the road cut. In order to prevent future wedge failures, a 30 m offset was created from the toe of the slope to the road. In almost all cases, the Landslide Possibility Index indicated a moderate to very high likelihood for failure along all road cuts.

Investigating the impact of a walnut-extracted surfactant on oil-water interfacial tension reduction and wettability alteration in carbonate rocks

ABSTRACT Various types of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods have generally been used to recover the residual oil left in the pores after secondary recovery processes. Surfactant flooding has been in use for quite a long time and has shown to be an efficient chemical EOR method. However, chemical surfactants usually result in a high cost and unfavorable environmental impacts. On the other hand, natural surfactants can be a good and promising alternative to the use of conventional surfactants. This paper introduces a newly extracted surfactant from the leaves of a walnut tree and was named UKHS. The ultimate aim of this paper is to experimentally study the applicability of the walnut extracted surfactant in lowering interfacial tension (IFT) and altering wettability in the carbonate rock of the Kurdistan Region at a reservoir temperature of 80°C.In contrast to most other studies, we have used a synthesized reservoir brine, as the aqueous phase, and a light crude oil sample (from an oil reservoir in the Kurdistan Region), during the IFT measurements. Moreover, carbonate samples of Pilaspi formation in the Kurdistan Region were employed with the crude oil sample to measure the contact angles to determine the wettability.The results show that the UKHS solution at a CMC of only1 weight% has significantly lowered the contact angle from a strongly oil-wet state of nearly 165⁰ to a fairly water-wet state of 56.7⁰. On the other hand, the IFT reduction was trivial as it has reduced from solely 11.18 mN/m to 2.54 mN/m. The obtained results of the wettability alteration at a low CMC of 1 wt% witness the higher efficiency of UKHS in comparison to other natural surfactants. Thus, UKHS can be considered as a promising EOR agent to mobilize the residual oil within pores, mainly via the wettability alteration mechanism, whereas the contribution from the IFT reduction is rather small.

Predicting Tbm Performance for Pila Spi Formation in Qara Dagh Anticline, NE Iraq

There are a few studies on the engineering properties of the Pila Spi Formations in scattered areas of Northern Iraq, but there is no study on predicting the performance of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM), which is of great importance in future large engineering projects in Iraq. The study area is located on the Takya about 50 km south the center of Sulaimania City. Field and laboratory studies were conducted on five (5) selected sites situated in the southwestern flank of the Qara Dagh anticline. The axis of the anticline extends from NW-SE of Iraq with a length of roughly 116 km. The engineering and field results of the samples collected from different locations indicate that the compressive strength of the rocks having a fine texture and slightly weathered characteristics ranges between strong to very strong with high dry density and low moisture content. In addition, the average Schmidt hammer rebound and weight losses percentages of Lose Angeles values are 48 and 22%, respectively the sizes of the blocks range from large to very large, the spacing of the discontinuities is medium to wide. The performance of TBM in terms rate of advance is generally determined based on these geological rock materials and masses. To estimate the rate advance of boring machine (TBM) in this study, the method depends on the total hardness. After applying the total hardness method, it was estimated that the predicted rate of advancement of the TBM would be very slow (approximately 1.57 -1.86 m/hr) due to the strong hardness of the rocks of Pila Spi Formation.

Elemental and isotopic geochemistry of carbonate rocks from the Pila Spi Formation (Middle–Late Eocene), Kurdistan Region, Northern Iraq: implication for depositional environment

Major, trace, rare earth elements (REE), and stable isotopic compositions in carbonate rocks of Pila Spi Formation were measured to constrain the source of rare earth elements and depositional environment. The low ΣREE content (average = 6.53 ppm, n = 14) indicates that the carbonates seawater-like REE patterns with (1) LREE depletion (average (Nd/Yb)n = 0.81), (2) HREE enrichment, (3) negative Ce anomaly (average = 0.91), and (4) superchondritic Y/Ho ratio (average = 30.07); slightly lower average value of Y/Ho ratio than the typical seawater value (~ 44–74) suggests modification of the seawater by input of fresh water. The (Nd/Yb)n and (Dy/Yb)n ratios of the Pila Spi carbonates have similarity with that of the Arabian sea carbonate. The low concentrations of U (0.35–1.0 ppm) suggest the deposition under oxygen-rich environment. This study indicates that the carbonates still preserve their original seawater-like REE pattern, provided that the contamination with terrigenous materials was small, and they serve as a seawater proxy. The Pila Spi carbonates have δ13C values ranged from − 6.17 to 0.76‰ PDB, and the δ18O values range between − 3.85 and 0.46‰ PDB. The positive correlation between δ13C and δ18O (r = 0.949, n = 14) values indicates the alteration of original isotopic compositions due to diagenesis. Finally, it is conceived that the Pila Spi carbonate was deposited in the lagoon environment with seawater invading and mixing of the continental (terrigenous) materials to the basin is viable.

Industrial Assessment of the Carbonate Rocks of the Pila Spi Formation at Haibat Sultan Mountain, Iraqi Kurdistan Region

The Pila Spi Formation is one of the prominent formations forming continuous ridges in Kurdistan Region. The thickness of the formation ranges from 15 to 110 m, consisting of well-bedded limestone, dolomite, dolomitic limestone, and very rare marl beds. The study area is located about 15 km east of Koya town, next to the abandoned tunnel through a deeply cut valley which has exposed 50 m of the formation. However, the uppermost part of the exposed section may belong to one of the Oligocene formations of Kirkuk Group. The study area was selected within the Pila Spi Formation because the rocks of the same formation and along the same ridge, about 45 km west of the study area showed encouraging results for cement industry. The average CaO is about 51%, whereas the average MgO is 1.8%. Therefore, eight samples were collected at constant thickness from the exposed section. The samples were subjected to X-ray fluorescence (XRF) test to indicate the main oxides in the sampled section. The acquired results from the XRF tests showed that the chemical composition of the exposed rocks within the Pila Spi Formation is suitable for cement industry, also for paper and paint but needs some treatment. Accordingly, another eight samples were collected from the same section to increase the density of sampling, totaling to 16 samples.

Assessment of the Carbonate Rocks of the Pila Spi Formation for Cement Industry, in Permam Mountain, Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan Region

The Pila Spi Formation is exposed in Permam Mountain forming its carapace, and continuous ridges for few hundreds of kilometers. The rocks of the formation are mainly dolomitic limestone, dolomite, and limestone with various proportions. The thickness of the formation in Permam Mountain is about 100 m. Nine samples are collected from the Pila Spi Formation along a recently road cut across Permam Mountain. The sampling interval varies from 10 to 15 m. The collected samples were subjected to X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy test to indicate the percentages of the main oxides in the samples. The results showed that the chemical composition of samples No. 1 and 9 meet the Iraqi standards for cement industry, whereas the remaining samples (Nos. 2–8) do not meet the Iraqi standards, and their total thickness is 80 m. To evaluate the suitability of the exposed rocks for cement industry in the sampled section within the Pila Spi Formation, different ratios of sample No. 1 were mixed with different ratios of a sample called sample No. A, it represents a mixture of samples No. 2–8. The mixing ratios are: (Sample No. 1/sample No. A) 50/50, 60/40, 70/30, 80/20, and 90/10. The same procedure was repeated for Sample No. 9. Another attempt was performed by mixing equal ratios of samples Nos. 1 and 9 with the same performed ratios with sample No. A.The chemical compositions of the samples were indicated using XRF test. The results showed that the best mixing ratios for the cement industry are 90:10, 80:20, and 70: 30 (samples Nos. 1+9: sample No. A).

Slope Stability of Darbendikhan Dam Site and Near Surroundings. A Reconnaissance Study, Kurdistan Region, NE Iraq

Darbendikhan Dam is constructed on the Sirwan (Diyala) River during 1955- 1961. The dam is of earth fill type with concrete spill ways and gates for electric power generation. The dam axis is almost E – W with both left and right abutments being constructed within the Gercus Formation, which consists of red clastics with more claystones. The Gercus Formation is overlain by the Pila Spi Formation that consists of hard to very hard, well bedded carbonates. The Pila Spi Formation is overlain by the Fatha Formation that consists of thick reddish brown claystones alternated with thin gypsum and limestone beds. Both Gercus and Fatha formations form steep to very steep slopes on upstream and downstream, respectively. All the slopes on the dam site and near surroundings suffer from different types of mass movements with different sizes. Some of them are old and dormant; others are recent and active exhibiting geological hazards, which may cause large loss of human life and the existing properties and infrastructure. We studied the slopes using different types of satellite images with different resolutions and conducted field trips to the dam site to collect data. We recommended some precautions to make the slopes more stable.

Structural Development of Khalakan Anticline and Deposition of Dokan Conglomerate, Northeastern Iraq

The research shows the relation between the structural development of Khalakan Anticline and the deposition of Dokan Conglomerate. Khalakan anticline is located in NE Iraq, within the High Folded Zone of the Iraqi Western Zagros Fold – Thrust Belt, where the southwestern limb of it represents the boundary between the High Folded and Low Folded zones. The old exposed rocks in the study area ranges from the Cretaceous Qamchuqa Formation to Late Miocene Injana Formation, where these rocks form the limbs of the anticline. The young exposed rocks represented by Dokan Conglomerate, where these rocks form erosional angular unconformity with the old formations. The study shows that the growth of Khalakan Anticline occurred in Late Miocene and developed in Late Pliocene as fold related to the back-thrust fault. The study concluded that the deposition of Dokan Conglomerate in the study area is controlled by the back-thrusting through the structural development of the anticline, consequently the pliocene rivers deposited boulders size from Pila Spi Formation on the southwestern back-limb and deposited the clay size on the norteastern limb of the anticline.

Crushed limestone from Pila Spi Formation as alternative for conventional aggregate, Qaradagh area, Kurdistan region - Iraq

Crushed limestone from Pila Spi Formation as alternative for conventional aggregate, Qaradagh area, Kurdistan region - Iraq

Mechanism of Haibat Sultan Mountain Land-slide in Koya, North Iraq

Haibat Sultan Mountain is a long range with elevation of about 860 m (a.s.l.); the PilaSpi Formation forms its carapace in Koya vicinity, with relief difference of about 300 m from Koisanjaq plain. The PilaSpi Formation consists of well thickly to massively bedded dolostone and dolomitic limestone with thickness of about 120 m in Koya vicinity. The main trend is NW - SE being a limb of Bustana anticline representing part of the southwestern limb, with dip amount that ranges from (15 - 30). On 11th of November 2015 a landslide had occurred after a heavy rainfall along Koya - Dukan main road. The type of the slide was plane sliding due to daylight slope, which was formed after the road cut. The length of the slide area: along the road is 90 m with height of 40 m forming almost a parallelogram shape; the thickness of the slid beds is about 2.5 m. The estimated volume of the slid mass is 9000 m3. The main cause of the landslide is the presence of daylight slope, high slope angle; more than the dip angle, presence of old crack surfaces which are filled by reddish brown clayey residual soil. After the he heavy rain fall, which lasted for 20 hours, the infiltrated rain water in the bedding planes in the well bedded, cracked, and jointed beds has increased the pore pressure and decreased the internal friction angle; therefore, the sliding has occurred. The root of the slid mass is below the base of the paved road; therefore, that part which is above the paved road has slid. The remaining part is highly cracked and partly accumulated in the base of the slid mass. Fortunately, the height of the slid mass is only 40 m and the relief difference between the crown area and the toe area is about 50 m; otherwise the slid mass would be larger than the present slid mass. From the field inspection, it is very clear that the involved area is very unstable and in critical equilibrium. The presence of daylight bedding above the crown area, clayey soil in the fractures and open joints and steep slope all are very favorable conditions for triggering the unstable slope, consequently developing of another landslide with larger mass.

Evaluation of Limestone Interval in the Drilled Surface Section of Bn-1 Oil Well

The first exploration oil well in any oil block consumes in general more time and cost than the other wells in the same block. Evaluating the drilled wells serves to improve the future operations. This paper evaluates the drilled surface section through real field data for the first exploration oil well drilled in one of the oil blocks, in Kurdistan north of Iraq. The surface section of the well was drilled with the conventional method to penetrate many different geological formations with tight intervals. Drilling efficiency and the difficulties encountered are discussed and explained using various data sources. All daily drilling reports concerning a specific interval were studied. This includes weight on bit, string rotation, mud pump flow and penetration rate. Evaluation was carried out by analyzing the used controllable drilling parameters with the formations features. Penetration of the Pila Spi formation (Middle Eocene) was the most difficult formation in the drilled section. Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus used in making graphs and Excel tables. Evaluations showed that the conventional technology used left many negative effects, like increase in None Productive Time NPT, cost and ground water pollution. Simultaneous Casing Drilling method proposed as an alternative method for the future campaign.

English

Suitability of limestone rocks has a crucial importance when stones are used for constructing modern structure. The purpose of this study is to clarify the links between physical, mechanical properties of limestone rocks, also their quality to use as building materials. A total of six limestone rock samples were collected from three different outcrops locations within Pilaspi Formation in Koya area. Engineering geological and geotechnical properties of the limestone rocks in the study area were determined based on the field studies and laboratory tests. The field studies included observations/ measurements of rock mass characteristics such as color, grain size, orientation, bedding thickness and weathering state of the rock materials also spacing, persistence, roughness and infilling material of the discontinuities. Laboratory tests were carried out for determining water content, water absorption, density, uniaxial compressive strength, slake durability and porosity of the rock materials. The study results go well with the national and international standards (Iraqi Standards, 1989; American Society for Testing and Materials, 2004; International Society for Rock Mechanics, 1981) and have shown that the limestone rocks are acceptable for building stone.