The potential of granite and diorite as construction aggregates | |
| Author | Dhakal, Ganesh Prasad |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GE-95-22 |
| Subject(s) | Aggregates (Building materials) Granite Diorite |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Civil Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GE-95-22 |
| Abstract | Granite and diorite from Tak Province, Northern Thailand were tested for aggregate suitability as highway and airport construction material, railway ballast and concrete aggregates. The lab test results were compared with the specifications of the Highway Department, the Expressway and Rapid Transit Authority and the State Railway of Thailand. The granite was light purple colored, coarse grained. The essential minerals are orthoclase, plagioclase, quartz and biotite. The diorite was greenish gray to dark gray colored, fine to medium grained, and composed of hornblende, plagioclase and biotite. The specific gravities of granite and diorite were 2.59 and 2.87 respectively. The flakiness and elongation indices of the granite were 25% and 26% respectively. Similarly, the flakiness and elongation indices of diorite were 24% and 21 %. The mechanical strength of diorite was higher than that of granite due to the finer grains of diorite. The abrasion values of granite and diorite were 38.64% and 18.68% respectively. The CBR value for granite was 170, and 220 for diorite. The aggregate impact values of granite and diorite were 19.9% and 8.8% respectively. The total soundness loss of granite in five cycles with sodium sulfate was 0.62% and 0.33% for diorite. The point load strength index for an irregular sample was 4.99 Mpa for granite and 8.97 Mpa for diorite. The stability values of granite and diorite were 3389 kg, and 3394 kg respectively, when mixed with a bitumen content of 6.66%,. The index of retained strength was 72.3% for granite and 70.2% for diorite. The percent expansion of mortar bars made with granite and diorite aggregate after 16 days from the day of casting were 0.054% and 0.053%, respectively. This shows innocuous behavior for both rocks. All the values of both rocks are within the specification limits of different departments of Thailand. Both granite and diorite are thus usable as highway and airport base and sub-base material, railway sub-ballast and construction of concrete pavements and concrete structures. For ballast use, only diorite is acceptable. Granite has a higher abrasion value (38.64%) than the specification limit for ballast use (<25%). Granite is thus recommended for sub-ballast use only. |
| Year | 1995 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GE-95-22 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Geotechnical Engineering (GE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Prinya Nutalaya; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Chen, J.S.;Balasubramaniam, A.S.;Noppadol Phien-Wej;German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD); |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD); |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology,1995 |