Abstract
The use of carbonate rocks is important worldwide due to their utility in various fields. However, their physical and mechanical characterization can determine their fields of application and their economic interest. The establishment of these properties allows the assessment of their economic importance and future use. Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) is one of the most important mechanical properties used to test carbonate rocks. Los Angeles (L.A) and Micro-Deval (MDE) coefficients are essential properties used to verify the mechanical resistances of the aggregate to be used on roadways. Analyzing these mechanical parameters determine the economic interest of rocks. The purpose of this project is to explore additional carbonate resources in Tunisia, even when the determination of some parameters is not possible. For this purpose, 30 samples with different physical and mechanical properties were chosen from 8 different sites. Two of them are well known in Tunisia: one is exploited to extract aggregates of good mechanical resistance, and the other is exploited for marble stone mining. Laboratory test results show that many unexplored sites harbor rocks with good qualities which could be exploited in different applications. UCS, LA and MDE coefficient values show new good quality carbonate-rock resources. The results determined the physical properties of studied rocks to conclude the potential use of each rock and to estimate the parameters for which the measurements are not possible.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abdelhedi M, Aloui M, Mnif T, Abbes C (2017) Ultrasonic velocity as a tool for mechanical and physical parameters prediction within carbonate rocks. Geomech Eng 13(3):371–384
Abdelhedi M, Thameur M, Chedly A (2018) Ultrasonic velocity as a tool for physical and mechanical parameters prediction within geo-materials: application on cement mortar. Russ J Nondestruct Test 54(5):345–355
Abdelhedi M, Jabbar R, Mnif T, Abbes C (2020a) Prediction of uniaxial compressive strength of carbonate rocks and cement mortar using artificial neural network and multiple linear regressions. Acta Geodyn et Geromaterialia 17(3):367–378
Abdelhedi M, Jabbar R, Mnif T, Abbes C (2020b) Ultrasonic velocity as a tool for geotechnical parameters prediction within carbonate rocks aggregates. Arab J Geosci 13(4):180
Ammouri M, Bouaziz S, Ennifar S, Jallouli C, Tricart P (1991) Le gite manganézifère du Jebel Aziza (Chaine des Chotts): étude de la minéralisation dans son cadre morphostructural et paléogéographique. Note du service géologique de Tunisie 58:133–150
Amri S, Akchiche M, Bennabi A, Hamzaoui R (2019) Geotechnical and mineralogical properties of treated clayey soil with dune sand. J Afr Earth Sci 152:140–150
Anderson MO, Hannington MD, McConachy TF, Jamieson JW, Anders M, Wienkenjohann H, Strauss H, Hansteen T, Petersen S (2019) Mineralization and alteration of a modern seafloor massive sulfide deposit hosted in mafic volcaniclastic rocks. Econ Geol 114(5):857–896
Asheghi R, Shahri AA, Zak MK (2019) Prediction of uniaxial compressive strength of different quarried rocks using metaheuristic algorithm. Arab J Sci Eng 44(10):8645–8659
Astm C et al (2012) Standard test method for compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens. ASTM, West Conshohocken
Azaiez H, Gabtni H, Chabaane A, Sayem G, Bédir M (2020) Geophysical study of hammam sidi maamar geothermal site in central Tunisia for sustainable development. J Afr Earth Sci 170:103897
Belayouni H (1983) Etude de la matière organique dans la série phosphatée du bassin de Gafsa Metlaoui (Tunisie): Application à la compréhension des mécanismes de la phosphatogenèse. M.Sc. Thesis, The University of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia (unpublished)
Burollet PF (1956) Contribution à l'étude stratigraphique de la Tunisie central. Ann Mines Geol 18:350
Burollet PF, Robaszynski F (1991) Les évènements de la limite Cénomanien-Turonien en Tunisie centrale: la formation Bahloul. Géologie alpine 67:3–42
Calvo JP, Regueiro M (2010) Carbonate rocks in the mediterranean region-from classical to innovative uses of building stone. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 331(1):27–35
Capik M, Yilmaz AO (2017) Modeling of micro deval abrasion loss based on some rock properties. J Afr Earth Sci 134:549–556
Çelik SB (2019) Prediction of uniaxial compressive strength of carbonate rocks from nondestructive tests using multivariate regression and ls-svm methods. Arab J Geosci 12(6):193
Ceryan N (2014) Application of support vector machines and relevance vector machines in predicting uniaxial compressive strength of volcanic rocks. J Afr Earth Sci 100:634–644
Chaâbani F (1995) Dynamique de la partie orientale du bassin de Gafsa au crétacé et au paléogène. Etude minéralogique et géochimique de la série phosphatée éocène (Tunisie méridionale). M.Sc. Thesis, The University of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia (unpublished)
Cooley LA Jr, James RS (2003) Micro-deval testing of aggregates in the southeast. Transp Res Rec 1:73–79
de Larrard F (2002) Construire en béton: l’essentiel sur les matériaux. Presses des Ponts, Paris
El Sharawy MS, Gaafar GR (2019) Impacts of petrophysical properties of sandstone reservoirs on their irreducible water saturation: implication and prediction. J Afr Earth Sci 156:118–132
Elleuch MA, Elleuch L, Frikha A (2019) A hybrid approach for water resources management in Tunisia. Int J Water 13(1):80–99
Felhi M (2010) Les niveaux intercalaires de la série yprésienne du bassin Gafsa-Métlaoui: Apports de la minéralogie des argiles et de la géochimie de la matière organique résiduelle à la reconstitution paléoenvironnementale. M.Sc. Thesis, The University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia (unpublished)
Fournier D (1978) Nomenclature litho stratigraphique des séries de crétacé supérieur au Tertaire de la Tunisie. Bull Cent Rech Explor Prod Elf Aquitaine 2:97–148
Gaied ME, Ben Haj Ali M, Chaabani F, Taamallah MN (2000) Les potentialités en pierres marbrières et ornementales de Tunisie. Office nationale des mines, Tunis
Garnit H, Bouhlel S, Jarvis I (2017) Geochemistry and depositional environments of Paleocene-Eocene phosphorites: Metlaoui Group, Tunisia. J Afr Earth Sc 134:704–736
Ghedhoui R (2014) Apports de l’imagerie et des SIG pour une étude morphostructurale de la jeffara tunisienne: implications géodynamiques et intérêts pétroliers. M.Sc. Thesis, The University of Paris-Est, Paris, France (unpublished)
Gokalp I, Uz VE, Saltan M (2016) Testing the abrasion resistance of aggregates including by-products by using micro deval apparatus with different standard test methods. Constr Build Mater 123:1–7
Gouasmia M, Khorchani H, Mhamdi A, Dhahri F, Soussi M (2018) Hydrogeological characterization of a carbonate aquifer using geophysical and geochemical approach: case of the Krachoua formation in Tataouine area, southern Tunisia. Arab J Geosci 11(24):1–15
Gourmelen C, Rigane A, Broquet P, Truillet R, Aite MO (2000) Caracteres structuraux et dynamiques d’un bassin en transtension; la plate-forme tunisienne a l’Ypresien terminal. Bull Soc Geol Fr 171:559–568
Harraden CL, Cracknell MJ, Lett J, Berry RF, Carey R, Harris AC (2019) Automated core logging technology for geotechnical assessment: a study on core from the cadia east porphyry deposit. Econ Geol 114(8):1495–1511
Jaballi F, Felhi M, Khelifi M, Fattah N, Zayani K, Abbes N, Elouadi B, Tlili A (2019) Mineralogical and geochemical behavior of heated natural carbonate-apatite of the Ypresian series, Maknassy-Mezzouna basin, central Tunisia. Carbonates Evaporites 34(4):1689–1702
Johnson CL, Browning DA, Pendock NE (2019) Hyperspectral imaging applications to geometallurgy: utilizing blast hole mineralogy to predict au-cu recovery and throughput at the phoenix mine, nevada. Econ Geol 114(8):1481–1494
Kahraman S, Gunaydin O (2007) Empirical methods to predict the abrasion resistance of rock aggregates. Bull Eng Geol Environ 66(4):449–455
Kahraman S, Toraman O (2008) Predicting los angeles abrasion loss of rock aggregates from crushability index. Bull Mater Sci 31(2):173–177
Mahdiabadi N, Khanlari G (2019) Prediction of uniaxial compressive strength and modulus of elasticity in calcareous mudstones using neural networks, fuzzy systems, and regression analysis. Period Polytech Civil Eng 63(1):104–114
Mehrgini B, Izadi H, Memarian H (2019) Shear wave velocity prediction using elman artificial neural network. Carbonates Evaporites 34(4):1281–1291
Office nationale des mines ONM (2010) Les potentialités en substances utiles du gouvernorat de Kairouan. L’Office de Développement du Centre Ouest, Tunis, ONM
Okogbue CO, Aghamelu OP, Magaji S (2020) Assessment of quality of some laterites in northeastern Nigeria by multivariate analysis of their geotechnical index properties. Natl Resour Res. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-020-09632-4
Ozcelik Y (2011) Predicting Los Angeles abrasion of rocks from some physical and mechanical properties. Sci Res Essays 6(7):1612–1619
P18-572 (1990) Aggregates. Micro-deval attribution test. Association française de normalisation, Bureau de Normalisation Sols et Routes. Géotechnique-normes. Décembre 1990, Paris, France
P18-573 (1990) Aggregates. Los Angeles test–granulate. Los Angeles pruefung. Association française de normalisation, Bureau de Normalisation Sols et Routes. Géotechnique-normes. Décembre 1990, Paris, France
Peng S, Zhang J (2007) Engineering geology for underground rocks. Springer Science and Business Media, Berlin
Quintanilla ID, Combe G, Emeriault F, Voivret C, Ferellec JF (2019) X-ray ct analysis of the evolution of ballast grain morphology along a micro-deval test: key role of the asperity scale. Granul Matter 21(2):30
Rebai N, Achour H, Chaabouni R, Kheir RB, Bouaziz S (2013) DEM and GIS analysis of sub-watersheds to evaluate relative tectonic activity. A case study of the North–south axis (Central Tunisia). Earth Sci Inform 6:187–198
Rigane A (1991) Les calcaires de l’ypresien en tunisie centro-septentrionle: cartographie cinematique et dynamique des structures. M.Sc. Thesis, The University of Besançon, Besançon, France (unpublished)
Salah MK, Alqudah M, Monzer AJ, David C (2020) Petrophysical and acoustic characteristics of Jurassic and cretaceous rocks from central Lebanon. Carbonates Evaporites 35(1):12
Seifi H, Tokhmechi B, Moradzadeh A (2019) Improved estimation of shear-wave velocity by ordered weighted averaging of rock physics models in a carbonate reservoir. Natl Resour Res 29:2599–2617
Tlili A, Felhi M, Fattah N, Montacer M (2011) Mineralogical and geochemical studies of Ypresian marly clays and silica rocks of phosphatic series, Gafsa-Metlaoui basin, southwestern Tunisia: implication for depositional environment. Geosci J 15(1):53–64
Tunc ET, Alyamac KE (2019) A preliminary estimation method of los angeles abrasion value of concrete aggregates. Constr Build Mater 222:437–446
Ugur I, Demirdag S, Yavuz H (2010) Effect of rock properties on the Los Angeles abrasion and impact test characteristics of the aggregates. Mater Charact 61:90–96
Yalcinalp B, Aydin ZO, Ersoy H, Seren A (2018) Investigation of geological, geotechnical and geophysical properties of Kiratli (Bayburt, ne Turkey) travertine. Carbonates Evaporites 33(3):421–429
Yasar E, Erdogan Y (2004) Correlating sound velocity with the density, compressive strength and Young’s modulus of carbonate rocks. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41(5):871–875
Yilmaz A, Karasahin M (2014) Compressive strength of cement-bound base layers containing ferrochromium slag. Turk J Eng Environ Sci 37(3):247–258
Yu D, Xiong R, Li S, Cong P, Shah A, Jiang Y (2019) Laboratory evaluation of critical properties and attributes of calcined bauxite and steel slag aggregates for pavement friction surfacing. J Mater Civil Eng 31(8):04019155
Zargouni F (1985) Tectonique de l’Atlas méridional de Tunisie: evolution géométrique et cinematique des structures en zone decisaillement. M.Sc. Thesis, Louis Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France (unpublished)
Zhang Y, Lebedev M, Smith G, Jing Y, Busch A, Iglauer S (2019) Nano-mechanical properties and pore-scale characterization of different rank coals. Natl Resour Res 28:1787–1800
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Abdelhedi, M., Abbes, C. Study of physical and mechanical properties of carbonate rocks and their applications on georesources exploration in Tunisia. Carbonates Evaporites 36, 35 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-021-00688-8
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-021-00688-8