EFFECT OF MINERALOGICAL COMPOSITION ON GRANITE ROCK STRENGTH IN KWARA STATE: A CASE STUDY OF KAMWIRE QUARRY AND FEMAS QUARRY

Abstract

This research work presents the effect of mineralogical composition on the strength of granite rock of KAMWIRE Quarry and FEMAS Quarry. Rock samples obtained from different locations were analyzed based on their strength, degree of weathering and mineral percentage composition. Rock density, rebound hardness values and mineral composition were determined. Rebound hardness value and rock density were used to evaluate the Uniaxial Compressive Strength. The result from the investigation shows that granite deposit from Femas Quarry and Kam Quarry has the highest density, rebound hardness values, compressive strength and highest mineral percentage composition of feldspar. The result of the correlation between the mineral percentage composition and the uniaxial compressive strength determined by simple regression analysis shows that mineralogical composition is one of the main properties controlling the rock strength. It was discovered that increase in the mineral percentage composition of quartz and feldspar increases the strength of the rock while increase in the mineral percentage composition of opaque and garnet decreases the strength of the rock.