Effect of acidic and basic water on the geomechanical properties of  limestone used in decoration of buildings in Iraq

Heyam Saleh Daod*, Kamal Ahmad Rashed** & Farouk Abdullah Rasheed***

* Irrigation Department, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region-Iraq, hyam.daoud@univsul.edu.iq 

** Civil Department, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region-Iraq, kamal.rashed@univsul.edu.iq

*** Irrigation Department, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region-Iraq, farouk.rasheed@univsul.edu.iq 

Original: 28.07.2015; Revised: 06.11.2015; Accepted: 12.11.2015; Published online: 20.06.2016

DOI Link: 

ABSTRACT

The physico-mechanical properties of rock play an important role in planning and designing of civil constructional work. A type of stone used in decoration of buildings in Iraq traditionally known as (Halan rock), has been taken to check variation in its physico-mechanical properties. Thirty two specimens of dimension 4.8cmx4.8cmx10cm of fossiliferous limestone of Lower Fars Formation were collected. Different pH solution from (pH1, pH3, pH5, pH7, pH9, pH11 and pH13) have been used to find the durability of the stone. Laboratory test also includes effective porosity, both dry and saturated unit weight, water absorption, uniaxial compressive strength, point load strength, and modulus of elasticity together with thin section analysis. The results indicated that the limestone appears to be less resistant to the atmospheric factors. The uniaxial compressive strength and point Load strength decrease under acidic and alkaline conditions.   

KEYWORDS

 limestone, physical-mechanical properties,pH, atmospheric pollution.

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