Petrographic, mechanical and aggregate analysis of Jurassic Samana Suk Formation Kahi Section, Nizampur Basin, Pakistan

Carbonate rocks are considered more suitable for construction purposes because of their mechanical behavior. The Indus basin of Pakistan hosts substantial carbonates. In the present study, the Jurassic carbonates of Samana Suk Formation in Nizampur Basin of Attock-Cherat ranges are investigated in term of its petrographic, aggregate and mechanical characteristic which shows their suitability for construction industries. The field finding comprises limestone and dolomite with diagenetic features like calcite veins and stylolites. The petrographic results show that the limestone dominantly comprises ooids, peloids, bioclasts, and calcite cementation. Mechanical properties in terms of uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and uniaxial tensile strength (UTS) were computed by using the universal testing machine (UTM). The results of the mechanical analysis are directly linked that defines rock durability and has strong compressive strength, which defines their application in construction industries. The aggregate parameters are also measured. The results of different aggregate parameters show that the Los Angeles abrasion values (LAV=21.2), Aggregate Impact values (AIV=12.5), Water Absorption (Wa=1.22), Specific gravity (2.73) and soundness (2.65) are per the standard values. The results of all these analyze parameters strongly recommend that the limestone of the Jurassic Samana Suk Formation has a great perspective to be used as a raw material in construction industries.