Abstract

FIGUEROA MADERO, Nancy Paola; MENDOZA ORTIZ, Sandra Paola; RIOS REYES, Carlos Alberto  and  CASTELLANOS ALARCON, Oscar Mauricio. Characterization and testing of rock aggregates of the Santa Marta Batholith, (Colombia). Rev. ion [online]. 2014, vol.27, n.2, pp.87-104. ISSN 0120-100X.

Aggregates of intrusive rocks are the major source of crushed fine and coarse aggregates for use in concrete in several countries and they have to meet a number of specifications relating to strength and durability. This research reports the evaluation of aggregates of granitoids and associated rocks of Santa Marta Batholith, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Massif, Colombia, based on petrographic analysis and mechanical and chemical acceptance tests. The strength and durability of a particular rock type depends on its intrinsic characteristic, thus petrographic analysis is very important to understand its mechanical and chemical properties. Numerous standard tests used to ensure aggregates meet the appropriate specifications; however, petrographic analysis represents the most valuable test for predicting the overall performance of concrete aggregates in any control test. Aggregates were analyzed to determine their petrographic, physical, mechanical and chemical properties. Samples were categorized as hornblendite, gabbro, quartzmonzodiorite, monzodiorite and monzonite groups. Among these, of the quartzmonzodiorite was the dominant group. Specific gravity indicates values in the range 2673-2956kg/m³. Water absorption values are in the range 0.908-1.194%. Aggregate impact values of samples (37.82 to 61.36%) showed good soundness only for one of the aggregates, which are considered acceptable for use in the preparation of a good quality concrete. Values of Methylene Blue Adsorption reveal the organic matter content is below the threshold. Magnesium sulphate values ranged between 0.11 and 4.75% suggesting good resistance against chemical atmospheric agents. The compressive strength test shows values in the range 35.22-59.45MPa indicating that the geomechanical behavior of rock cylinders is satisfactory. The geomechanical behavior of rock tablets under flexion is also satisfactory for SMA-2 sample (16.53MPa), although not for SMA-6 and SMA-8 samples, which showed values of 7.52 and 8.74MPa, respectively. Comparing with the existing American Standard of Testing Material, the studied samples are suitable for concrete.

Keywords : aggregates; granitoids and associated rocks; petrographic analysis; mechanical and chemical properties; strength and durability; concrete.

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