Study of engineering geological properties of Asmari limestone in the north-east Masjed-Suliman

The main purpose of this research is to assess the engineering geological properties of Asmari limestone in the north-east of Khuzestan province. For this purpose, 20 samples of limestone were selected from the north-east of Karun 1 dam site, and the relationships between petrographic characteristics, physical and mechanical properties were investigated. Index properties such as total porosity, dry unit weight, schmit hammer value, strength under uniaxial compression and Brazilian tension were determined. Microscopic studies on the limestone reveal that they are mostly bioclast packstone and bioclast wackestone according to Dunham classification. From the statictical analysis of the data, regression equations were established among rock material parameters, while conversion factors relating index properties and strength were also determined. The petrographic characteristics of the studied rocks such as mineral composition and microstructure were analyzed in thin sections and their intrinsic influence on the measured strength parameters was also investigated.