PETROGRAPHIC, PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SANDSTONE OF MIRPUR DISTRICT AREA STATE OF AJ&K, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The project area located in the state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. It is the northeastern part of Pakistan. Geologically the area lies in Kashmir basin. On the southern side, it lies within the extensive Potwar basin. It is an active sedimentary basin. Different Sandstone from different location were collected from the area which is easily accessible and best outcropped with standard size 6/6 inches by helping geological equipment’s. After the preparation of the samples, the current study used different type of tests like, (Point load strength Test, Sonic Pulse Velocity Test, Brazilian Test, Uniaxial Compressive Strength Test (UCS), Slake Durability Test and Petrography). Though the microscopic study of the sandstone different minerals and features were identified. The typical mineral assemblage of Mirpur area Sandstone includes Quartz, Tourmaline, Albite. Hornblende, Hematite Plagioclase, Feldspar, Muscovite, Biotite, Cementing martial, Rock fragment, Opaque and Matrix. Geotechnically finding out the ability of water absorption, resistant against weakening, bear and tear, Tensile strength, Compression strength, also find porosity and permeability of Sandstone. Project area underlying the non-marine Neogene fluvial Himalayan molasse deposit sediments.

Keywords

• geotechnical and statistical analysis
• kashmir basin
• petrographic analysis
• sandstone
• siwalik group.