The Dimension-Stone Potentials of The Rocks In Mahanga, North Central Nigeria (original) (raw)
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The evaluation ofrock suitability for dimension stone quarry has been a thing of concern to the dimension stone industries. So, three granite rocks were selected in various locations in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. The locations are Iloyin, Oba-ile and Apatapiti and on these outcrops,in-situ tests were carried out on the outcrops and irregular rock samples were collected for laboratory tests. Schmidt hammer test and Scan line mapping for discontinuities analysis were done on site while sample test for density, specific gravity, average water absorption, point load strength and slake durability were done in the laboratory. The Apatapiti outcrop hasthe highest average density (3.12g/cm3), specific gravity (2.822) and water absorption value (0.84%), while the Iloyin outcrop exhibits the highest average durability (97.88%) and point load strength (5.79MPa), the Oba-Ileoutcrop have the highest compressive strength (190MPa)and average Schmidt hammer hardness value (47.0). The three outcrops volumetric joint count, Jv estimated gave medium block sizes but in the case of block quality of the rockssubjected to evaluation Iloyin happens to be of poor quality while Oba-Ileand Apatapiti outcrop have prospect ofproducing fair quality block. With the information fromthe assessment of block size, block quality and mechanical and physical properties for the rocks consideredin this paper work, it was observed that these three selected outcrop are not good for dimension stone quarry but can be quarried as aggregate stone for construction purposes.
Fracture characterization of rocks in Supare, Ondo State, South western, Nigeria was examined in respect to their suitability for dimension stones. Detailed geological mapping of the area carried out on scale of 1:12,500 indicated that the dominant rocks are granite-gneiss followed by granite and migmatite. The principal joint direction trends NNE-SSW which also corresponds to the regional structural pattern of the area. The volumetric joint count for discontinuities was carried out via Scan Line mapping and values obtained from all examined outcrops ranges from 0.1 to 5.33m-3 with average spacing varies from 0.7 to 2.45m. The volumetric joint count revealed that most of outcrops have volumetric joint value less than 3.0 and can be exploited economically for dimension stone production with potential of producing medium block. A few of the granite gneiss recorded volumetric joint count less than 1.0 and have the potential of producing large block while a few of the granite outcrops have higher volumetric joint count greater than 3.0 and thus can be quarried as aggregates for construction use in building and road construction. It is suggested that the geologist and the mining engineers should take into cognizance the geological evaluation (joint density) as fundamental in prospecting and exploration for dimension stone quarry.
Continental J. Applied Sciences, 2020
This research was conducted to determine the suitability of the rocks within the study area for dimension stone production and possibly decorative purposes of same. This is because the demand for most of the finished products of ornamental rocks in Nigeria is largely met through importation. Concerted efforts were made to determine the different rock units, measure and analyse the structures on the outcrops as well as petrographic studies to ascertain the mineral composition. Other examinations carried out include the mechanical properties of compressive strength, specific gravity and water absorption. Others include porosity and Polish Stone Value (PSV) tests. Results of this research reveal that the area is basically of four (4) rock units, namely migmatitic granite, granite porphyry, pyroxene granite and granite gneiss and fresh samples of these rock types reveal acceptable colour combinations. Also, the discontinuities which are joints and veins are not closely spaced and trend predominantly in the NE-SW direction. The petrographic studies show majorly the presence of quartz, feldspars (plagioclase/orthoclase) and biotite/muscovite in all the rock types. Results of the mechanical properties of compressive strength range between 161.71 – 176.52 MPa, 2.60 - 2.76 for specific gravity, 0.185% – 0.204% for porosity, 82% – 85% for PSV and 0.17% – 0.35% for water absorption which disclose granite porphyry the excellent rock unit for dimension stone quarry. However, the other rock units could also be harnessed for other ornamental/decorative purposes like garden furniture, benches, and fountains. On the whole, the study area is a potential site for quarry operations.
INVESTIGATIONSINTOAESTHETICPROPERTIES OFSELECTEDGRANITESINSOUTHWESTERN NIGERIAASDIMENSIONSTONES
The visual and aesthetic features of dimension stones affect both their marketability and applications in the construction industry. Assessment or evaluation of the aesthetic features is done by using the colour, texture and grain size, flaws and irregularities. South western Nigeria falls within the basement complex of Nigeria with abundant granites of various colours. Despite this, little exploitation has been undertaken. This study is carried out to determine some granite rocks' suitability for use as dimension stones. Dimension stones are classified in the International Smarket as single-coloured or multi-coloured. The colour is the major parameter that determines the price, besides other physical properties. Colour identification was done using the mineralogical composition and colour spectrum. Variation in colour was observed to be as a result of differences in the mineralogical composition of the granite rocks. Five of the granites investigated are single-coloured (Awo, Ewu, Supare and Ikere), while the Ore granites are multi-coloured and the texture of all the granites are either porhyritic or equi-granular. It was observed that none of the samples exhibits any form of microcrack. Scanining Electron Microscope (SEM) investigation shows that only the Awo granites have small percentage of sulphide mineral which restricted their use as external claddings.
Quality Assessment and Grading ofDimension Stone in Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu, India
Dimension stone are widely used for monuments, decorative stone, countertops and flooring. Group of crystalline rocks including igneous and metamorphic rocks are used as dimension stone and they are commercially referred as granites.In India, the state of Tamil Nadu, two third of area is covered by igneous and metamorphic terrain, which are widely used for production of commercial granites.The commercial granites made significant contribution to national economic growth. The Krishnagiri district is one of the districts in the state of Tamil Nadu, producing significant volume of dimension stone block, fordomestic usage as well as exporting to foreign countries. In the present study, an assessment has been made to investigate the quality of different type of commercial granites in this region. The dimension stones were assessed through investigation of desired geological quality and associated defects. There are 16 locations identified and rock samples were collected for such quality assessment. The desired qualities were assessed through close megoscopic observations. Rock samples collected from the quarrieswere cut down and thin sections were prepared. Petrological studies were carried out under petrological microscope for identification of minerals and optical properties. Based on the desired quality and associated defects, the granites were graded into four categories as A,B,C &D. The grade A refers to top grade dimension stone with high market value and grade D ranked in the lowest category.
Evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of quarry stones in the southern Republic of Benin
Engineering properties of stones have a crucial importance when they are used for civil engineering works. In this study, the suitability of rocks blocks or stones as a construction material is established. Cove and Dan cities surroundings in the southern part of Zou Province have large blocks and aggregates quarries operated recently. In this study, laboratory tests were carried out to investigate the performance of rocks blocks and aggregates quarried in the region. For this purpose of the study, three wooden containers with rocks blocks and aggregates samples were collected from three different quarries, and so, laboratory tests including particle density and water absorption test, resistance to wear, magnesium sulfate test, compressive strength and methylene blue absorption test were performed in accordance with the international standards to explore the quality of stones to be used for modern construction. Concluding that rocks blocks and aggregates satisfy the relevant regulation (that is, a norm, European standard).
2012
The study area lies at the fringe of the Upper Benue Trough and the Basement Complex of Northern Nigeria and specifically between longitude 8<sup>o</sup>30ʹE and 8<sup>o</sup>33ʹ50.3ʺE and latitude 8<sup>o</sup>41ʹ9.7ʺN and 8<sup>o</sup>45ʹN. in order to ensure effective geotechnical study of the underlying rocks, ten (10) undisturbed representative samples were taken within a grid of 2.5km by 2.5km. The study established some geotechnical properties of the rocks such as water absorption under saturation with values ranging from 0.52-0.96(%); Compressive strength of rocks of 3.45-89.50(N/mm<sup>2</sup>); specific gravity of the rocks ranging from 2.5-3.75; with aggregate impact value of rocks ranging from 11.32-21.56 (%) which makes the rock adequate for array of construction material such as roads, foundations, concretes, dimension stones etc. The study characterises the rocks into granite (60 %); Schist (20%); Gneiss (10%...
Journal of Earth Sciences and Geotechnical Engineering, 2021
Geotechnical tests were performed on granite and granite-gneiss rock samples of parts of Minna to know their suitability as construction aggregates. Eight rock samples were selected for porosity test, impact value, specific gravity and absorption capacity. The average porosity of the samples is 0.21, 0.12, 0.30, 0.10, 0.25, 0.25, 0.24 and 0.11 respectively for L1, L14, L15, L19, L21, L23, L25 and L29 which shows they are normal except L15 with a high porosity. Average impact value of the samples show they are suitable for wearing surface course in road and bridge construction, except samples L14 and L19 with average impact value of 32.8 and 34.9 respectively making them suitable only as bituminous macadam (maximum value = 35%). Sample L1 is not suitable as construction aggregates because it exceeds the maximum value specified for that purpose. The average specific gravity of the rocks are L1=2.68, L14=2.65, L15=2.65, L19=2.67, L21= 2.63, L23= 2.71, L25=2.65, and L29=2.69 respectivel...
The microstructure, mineralogical composition and analysis of the chemical constituent of rock samples were evaluated as part of the research on the quality and suitability of rocks in Kajuru, Kaduna State, Nigeria as sources of aggregate for construction. Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER) Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) in Global mapper software was used to visualize three-dimensional perspectives (3D) of the study area and quantities of major oxides present in Rock samples were determined using x-ray florescence machine called X-supreme 8000. The microstructural characteristics of rocks such as mineralogy, structure, textural and distributions of minerals in the matrix were studied using a petrographic microscope. The rock predominantly consists of porphyritic granites and gneisses with minor quartz vein and quartzofeldspathic pegmatite intrusions. The high silica contents are confirmed from microscopic studies that elucidated the prevalent mineral species to be a felsic component - quartz and feldspar with interlocking grain boundary. The studies revealed mica, microcrack and fracture in some of the rock type which will invariably affect their engineering performance. It is therefore recommended that physicomechanical evaluation is carried out on the rock aggregates to establish the strength of aggregate and the link between physicomechanical properties and geological characteristics of the rock. Keywords: Basement rocks; microstructure; mineralogical composition; petrography