INVESTIGATION OF GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF TANAWAL FORMATION, GHAZIKOT, DISTRICT MANSEHRA, PAKISTAN

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.