Author(s)

Jamal Abuqubu¹, Reyad A. Al Dwairi², Nafeth A. Hadi³, B. Merkel⁴, V. Dunger⁴, Hamza A. Laila¹

¹Ministry of Energy and Mining, Amman, Jordan.
²Department of Natural Resources and Chemical Engineering, Tafila Technical University, Tafila, Jordan.
³Department of Civil Engineering, Al-Balqa Applied University, Amman, Jordan.
⁴Bergaakademie Freiberg Technical University, Freiberg, Germany.

Jordanian granitic rocks (JG) are highly distributed and available in huge quantities in south Jordan, Aqaba area. Granite in south Jordan (JG) is belonging to Aqaba granite complex. This study has been carried out to investigate geological and engineering properties of JG from Aqaba vicinity, south Jordan, in addition to identify and classify the different granitic rocks. 27 random samples of JG were collected from different quarries in three locations from the study area to investigate their characterization. Engineering properties of JG were tested and investigated using ultra sonic velocity test, abrasion test, flexural strength, specific gravity test, and compressive strength test. Engineering tests results show that JG has metal disk abrasion less than 21 mm, flexural strength of 16.9 Mpa, average dry specific gravity of 2.69 and very low absorption while the compressive strength results range between 60 to 90 Mpa. The results show that the engineering characterization of JG is complying with local and international specifications and standards used for classifying the decorative and building granite stones.

Granite Rocks, Aqaba Area, Building Stones, Engineering Properties

Abuqubu, J. , Al Dwairi, R. , Hadi, N. , Merkel, B. , Dunger, V. and Laila, H. (2016) Geological and Engineering Properties of Granite Rocks from Aqaba Area, South Jordan. Geomaterials, 6, 18-27. doi: 10.4236/gm.2016.61002.