Assessment of some selected carbonate, porcelanites and quartzite sandstone, western desert of Iraq for industrial uses

Other Title(s)

التقييم لبعض الصخور الكاربونيتية و البورسلينايت و الحجر الرملي الكوارتزيتي في الصحراء الغربية الغربية العراقية للأغراض الصناعية

Dissertant

Fadil, Linaz Anas

Thesis advisor

Awad, Salih Muhammad

Comitee Members

al-Khafaji, Abd al-Sattar J.
Ali, Fayizah Abd al-Qadir
Hadi, Aytin
Tamir Agha, Mazin Yusuf
Kittanah, Yawuz Abd Allah

University

University of Baghdad

Faculty

College of Science

Department

Geology Department

University Country

Iraq

Degree

Ph.D.

Degree Date

2013

English Abstract

Carbonate rocks collected from the Mauddud Formation (Albian- Cenomanian), quartzite sandstones (quartz arenite) collected from Rutbah Formation (Cenomanian) and porcelanites collected from Digma (Late Maastrichtian) and Akashat Formations (Traifawi Member) (Early–Late Paleocene) within the Western Desert of Iraq are petrographically, mineralogically and geochemically studied.

Samples are subjected to petrotechnological applications to assess the suitability of carbonate rocks as building and decorative stones, quartzite sandstones as anti-acidic and alkalis laboratory tiles bench and porcelanites as aggregate in structural lightweight concrete blocks as an alternative for gravels.

Field work is carried out and evaluated sampling of three sites of carbonate rocks, four sites of quartzite sandstones and two sites of porcelanites.

Petrography and mineralogy of these rock types are studied using polarized microscope and XRD technique.

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is also adopted to study the micro-textural features of porcelanite.

Three microfacies (peloidal wackstone-packstone, peloidal packstone and crystalline carbonate) are distinguished within carbonate rocks of the Mauddud Formation.

Dolomitization, cementation and recrystallization are the main diagenetic process affecting the physical and chemical properties of them.

Dolomite is the predominant mineral in the 1M and 2M sites, so it is classified as a calcitic dolomite, whereas calcite is the most predominant mineral in the third site, so it is classified as limestone.

The carbonate rocks are analyzed for SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, Fe2O3, Na2O, K2O, TiO2, MnO and LOI.

CaO and MgO are the most predominant oxides confirming the abundance of calcite and dolomite.

The quartzite sandstones of Rutbah Formation are characterized by the abundance of monocrystalline quartz with small amounts of opaque heavy minerals, in addition to the tourmaline, zircon and rutile as accessory minerals.

These rocks have suffered compaction and cementation.

Cement types are silica and often iron oxides.

The quartzite sandstones are analyzed for SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, Fe2O3, Na2O, K2O, TiO2, MnO and LOI.

SiO2 content as quartz mineral is the major oxide forming more than 95% of each sample.

The Opal-CT (cristobalite and tridymite) is the main mineral forming the porcelanite rocks.

Dolomite, calcite, quartz and clay minerals (palygorskite and montmorillonite) are associated opal C-T within the Digma Formation.

In Akashat Formation, opal-CT is the main mineral associated with dolomite, palygorskite and quartz.

The porcelanites are analyzed for SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, Fe2O3, Na2O, K2O, SO3, P2O5 and LOI.

Silica content average is in Digma Formation (81.9%) which is higher than its value in Akashat Formation (Tarifawi Member) (64.59%).

The deficiency of silica in the Akashat Formation is due to the presence of dolomite.

The results of geochemical analyses for carbonates and quartzite sandstones are interpreted by correlation coefficient to show the geochemical behavior of elements.

Petrotechnologic processes on the carbonate rocks are based on the tests of physical and mechanical properties (bulk density, porosity, water absorption, compressive strength, modulus of rupture and abrasion resistance) durability properties (soundness test, slake durability, frost resistance test and resistance to acidic rain), thermal properties (thermal conductivity and thermal expansion) and acoustic properties (p-wave velocity test and acoustic impedance).

The results indicate that the carbonate rocks are suitable as dimension stones for building and decoration (cladding stones) for internal and external use.

Petrotechnology of quartzite sandstones are applied through the many tests to assess them as dimension stones and chemical resistant rocks, where the acidic and alkali of low and high concentration test is conducted.

The results demonstrate that the quartzite sandstones have a high resistance against acids and alkalis, and then suitable for manufacturing chemical resistance tiles bench used in laboratories.

Porcelanite rocks are subjected to the petrotechnological tests to assess their use in manufacture of structural lightweight concrete blocks.

The properties of the structural lightweight concrete samples (density, water absorption, compressive strength, thermal conductivity, p-wave velocity and acoustic impedance) are computed and compared with the normal weight concrete sample.

The results are successful and encouraging showing the possibility of manufacturing of lightweight blocks of good compressive strength, low thermal conductivity and acoustic impedance.

The Iraqi and American Standard for Testing Materials (ASTM) specifications are adopted for comparing the results.

Main Subjects

Earth Sciences, Water and Environment

No. of Pages

146

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
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Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-609551