Construction Aggregates Potentiality in Humpata (Lubango Region, Angola)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin/136.2/003Keywords:
Aggregates, Sand, Granite, Limestone, DoleriteAbstract
In the Humpata area, near Lubango (southwest Angola), igneous, metamorphic, volcano-sedimentary, and carbonate rocks outcrop, with ages ranging from Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic. Elluvial-alluvial Cenozoic deposits of sands, clayey silts with gravels, and ferralitic armour overlie these lithologies. The aim of this study is to identify mineral raw materials for construction aggregates to supply nearby Lubango area and provide a first characterisation of their potential as raw material. Natural primary aggregates are here classified into sand and gravel, and crushed stone. Regarding characterisation of sand and gravel potential, the mineralogy of selected alluvial sand samples, particle size classification, and the respective cumulative distribution curves were studied. The analysed sands are fine, coarse, and fine to coarse-grained aggregates, suitable for construction in bituminous mixtures for roads and plaster. Use in concrete will need mixing with coarser sand. Considering the proximity to Lubango and the accessibility to raw material, the lithologies with the greatest potential for crushed stone are granites and dolomite limestones. Other lithologies such as dolerite also have potential for construction raw materials. Samples of granite, dolomite limestone, and dolerite aggregates were characterised through their granulometric curve, particle shape, and physical tests: water absorption, density, and the fragmentation resistance test. Overall, these tests revealed an adequate behaviour of the samples in relation to the analysed properties, suggesting the possibility of using these aggregates in the most frequent applications.
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