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The use of low-grade and unsound crushed rock aggregates in Ghana for construction

Geotechnical & Geological Engineering volume 13, pages 217–225 (1995)Cite this article

Summary

Ghana and many developing countries have relied heavily, in the past, on hard granites and granitic gneisses for the production of rock aggregates and rock products for civil engineering works including the construction of roads and buildings. Experience in Ghana has shown however, that the quantity of crushed rock aggregates produced from hard rocks have proved insufficient for the needs of the country. This situation has called for engineering geological studies into the use of rock types and rock formations previously designated as low grade and unsound for the production of aggregates. The major objective of this study was to review the occurrences of non-conventional hard rocks and gravels such as quartzites, silicified sandstones, metagreywackes, dolomitic limestones and quartz gravels. This was followed by the application of appropriate standard specification tests to establish criteria for the selection and recommendation for the use of low grade and unsound rocks and gravels for various civil engineering projects in Ghana and other developing countries, especially those of the subregion with similar geological formations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Building and Road Research Institute (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), Kumasi, Ghana

    D. O. K. Kuma

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  1. D. O. K. Kuma
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Kuma, D.O.K. The use of low-grade and unsound crushed rock aggregates in Ghana for construction. Geotech Geol Eng 13, 217–225 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00422211

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00422211

Keywords

  • Aggregate
  • road
  • crushed rock