Abstract:
In the Hazara Paleozoic sequence, the Tanawal Formation overlies the Hazara Slates
and underlies the Abbottabad Formation. The contact between the Hazara Slates and the
Tanawal Formation is marked by a pebbly bed which is not persistant, but elsewhere in
Kashmir and the Central Himalayan sections gradational contact has been reported by the
earlier workers (Tahir Kheli and Majid 1970). The Tanawal Formation comprise dominantly
of arenaceous rocks which constitute quartzite, quartzitic schist and quartzitic sandstone with
interbedded arenaceous slaty shales, slates, phyllitic slates and conglomerate which are
intruded by the igneous rocks. Among the quartzose rocks, arkosic, subarkose, arenites and
quartz arenites are differentiated. Amphibolite, epidiorite, porphyritic micro-tonalite, dacite,
rhyo-dacite, pegmatite and quartz veins arc the igneous rocks which occur in the Tanawals as
sills, dykes and veins. Bulk samples were collected during the field in the study area that is
Ghazikot, District Mansehra. These samples were brought to the laboratory and then cut these
rock samples into cubes of specific size of 3×3 inches of each cube for applying Uniaxial
Compressive strength on it. The remaining Samples were used for other mechanical and
physical properties like porosity, specific gravity, water absorption, Los Angeles Abrasion test,
Durability, soundness test. Results of physical and mechanical properties showed that the
Tanawal quartzite can be used for indoor and outdoor purpose in different engineering field
and various construction projects. Specifically, Tanawal quartzites can be used as ornamental
stones, embankment filling, stone pitching and concrete design.
