INVESTIGATION OF PETROGRAPHIC AND GEOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF JUTANA FORMATION, EASTERN SALT RANGE, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Before designing engineering structures like Roads, Dams and tunnels it is very important to estimate rock mass strength which is to be used in above stated projects. A detailed series of Geo-mechanical tests were performed according to ASTM and ISRM standard to elucidate rock mechanics of Jutana formation and its suitability to be used as potential engineering material. UCS, UTS, PLT, SRH, WA and SG tests were performed following ASTM and ISRM Standards. The values of UCS ranges from 24.06 MPa to 93.27 MPa with an average of 54.81 MPa, UTS values ranges from 14.569 MPa to 19.142 MPa with a mean value 16.57 MPa, PLT values ranges from8.66 MPa to 13.184 MPa with an average value of 10.60 MPa, Average SRH reading is 41.64, Mean WA value is 0.65 and the average SG value is 2.71. The calculated Geo-mechanical and petrographic properties were coMPared with standard limitations for their use as construction materials. Petrographic study of the rock samples shows the presence of dolomite and calcite. Whereas hematite cementation is also observed in minute amount. Petrographic study shows the average dolomite concentration is about 95% and average calcite content is 2.2%. Very less amount of Quartz is also observed in some samples which is less than 2% by average. Jutana Dolomite falls within the specified standards to be used as potential engineering material.