TITLE:
Aggregate Suitability Assessment of Wargal Limestone for Pavement Construction in Pakistan
AUTHORS:
Javid Hussain, Jiaming Zhang, Fitriani Fitria, Muhammad Shoaib, Hadi Hussain, Ali Asghar, Sadam Hussain
KEYWORDS:
CPEC, Potential Aggregates, Geotechnical Properties, Toughness Index (TI), Wargal Limestone
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Civil Engineering,
Vol.12 No.1,
February
23,
2022
ABSTRACT: This paper presents the evaluation of the potential
aggregate source for pavement construction in Pakistan. Recently the demand for
construction materials
has been increased significantly due to the establishment of the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC) Projects. Therefore, it is essential to look for new
resources of construction materials along with the CPEC routes in consideration
of this increasing demand. In this context, a Physical and Mechanical characterization investigation is
carried out on the Permian Wargal Limestone from Zaluch Nala, Salt Range
to explore their potential to utilize as construction materials. The studied
samples have tolerable values for all standard engineering parameters, proposed
by various national and international agencies such as AASHTO, ASTM, BS, and
NHA. Furthermore, as a performance indicator of aggregate overall quality, the
evaluated mechanical qualities were integrated into a single characteristic,
Toughness Index (TI). The TI values also suggested that the Permian Wargal
limestone aggregates meet international quality standards for pavement
construction. On the basis of geotechnical testing and Toughness Index (TI),
the late Permian Wargal limestone, Zaluch Nala, Salt Range, is strongly
recommended as a potential aggregate resource for mega projects such as the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other construction projects.