Aggregate prospects of Pirkoh limestone from Gulki-Rodo area of Pakistan as a potential construction material

Petrographic, physical, and mechanical characterization studies of the Pirkoh limestone aggregate exposed in the Gulki-Rodo area of Tehsil Taunsa, District Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan were carried out to evaluate and explore its potential for utilization as a construction material for engineering projects. Various tests such as gradation, moisture content, aggregate impact value, clay lumps friable particles, flakiness index, elongation index, specific gravity, and water absorption were performed in accordance with AASHTO, BS, and ASTM standards. The average aggregate impact value (13.96%), moisture content (0.72%), flakiness index (8.39%), elongation index (9.43%), clay lumps and friable particle (0.9%), specific gravity (2.66), and water absorption (0.61%) values of the limestone aggregate are within specified limits of their respective standards. Petrographic investigation indicates the presence of 2% strained quartz that suggests the aggregate is not prone to alkali-silica reactivity. However, some of the samples contain 35-55% dolomite along with 4% clays that might initiate alkali-carbonate reaction when used as aggregate in cement concrete.