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

Volume 18 , Issue 2 , February 2016 , Pages 81-94

Authors

¹ Irrigation Department, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region-Iraq

² Civil Department, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region-Iraq

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.

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