Assessment of the Validity of Limestone Rocks in The Mishraq Area, North of Iraq, For Building Purposes and As a Railway Ballast Stone
Abstract
The study aims to assess the validity of Fatha Formation limestone rocks in Mishraq area, Ninavah Governorate in northern Iraq for building stones and a railway ballast stones. Eight stations are selected for this study. The petrophysical tests show that the porosity varies between (5.401-16.362%), the absorption ratio varies between (2.078-7.515%), and the dry density varies between (2.177 - 2.601 g/cm3). The variation in the absorption and dry density values is caused by the variation in the limestone porosity values. Mechanical tests show that the compressive strength values range from (13.503 to 28.237 Mpa), the flexural strength range from (2.978 to 10.103 Mpa), and the mechanical erosion range from (37.7 to 53.8%). When compared with standard specifications for building stones (ASTM, C, 568-99, 2004) and railway ballast stones (Organization of Road and Bridge design department) (O.R.B.D, 1999), the limestone rocks in the study area are found to be suitable for building but not suitable as a railway ballast stones. The reason is that the requirements for the suitability of the examined limestone rocks for building purposes are lower than that for their suitability as railways ballast stones in terms of absorption ratio, dry density, and uniaxial compressive strength. as porosity has a significant impact on the decrease in the values of these properties.
