Textural and Mineralogical Characterization of Kansas Limestone Aggregates in211 Relation to Physical Test Results

摘要

Suitable limestone aggregate for transportation construction use is becoming less211u001eavailable in Kansas. The more accessible and better aggregates of known sources 211u001eare being used. Characterization of suitable and unsuitable aggregates by 211u001epetrographic descriptons and tests has not been done in the state. This study 211u001eincludes characterizing quarry ledge samples by mineralogy and texture and 211u001esorting these characteristics for suitability for construction uses. To do this, 211u001equarry samples collected in the early 1980's were cut, polished and treated with 211u001ea standard acid stain to differentiate the carbonate minerals probably present. 211u001eThen the surface was treated with acetate to make a permanent, more easily 211u001ehandled record of the mineralogy and texture of each polished and treated 211u001esurface. The information from these acetate records form a data base that 211u001eincludes the information from the physical testing on the ledge samples. The 211u001edatabase includes 550 records from 243 ledges, some ledges providing two or more 211u001eacetate records called peels for description. The data base supplies the means to 211u001esort characteristics for statistical testing. The statistical test chosen was Chi 211u001eSquare (X squared) with Cramers V test used to norm the results of the values. 211u001eContingency tables were built using categories of color of stained peels, texture 211u001eand passing or falling classifications for concrete construction. An application 211u001econcerning verification of aggregate sources in included and discussed as it 211u001eillustrates the usefulness of the petrographic information. Recommendations are 211u001egiven to further define relationships to mineraology and texture, to verify these 211u001erelationships as predictors of passing or failing with new ledge samples, and to 211u001esummarize the results from these endeavors in a preliminary field tool for use in 211u001eprospecting for resources and verifying production stockpile consistency with 211u001esource ledge test results. Tables of relationship based on peel data are 211u001eincluded.