Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effect of pH and salty solutions on durability of sandstones of the Aghajari Formation in Khouzestan province, southwest of Iran

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Slake durability of rocks is a vital engineering geological property of rock materials that has an important role in the promotion of slope stability, evaluation of rock materials, as well as the estimation of stone degradability. This parameter is related to such factors as mineralogy, physical characteristics of rocks, and the environmental conditions. A major part of south and southwestern Iran embraces the Aghajari Formation whose sandstones are used to form the foundations for some structures in Khouzestan province where they are being extensively used as aggregate(s). In this paper, tests of mineralogical examinations, physical properties, and slake durability of sandstones from Ahwaz and Haftkel anticlines were administered in order to assess the durability and degradability of these rocks. The rock durability of each type was evaluated to be up to 15 cycles in acidic and alkaline watery environments and salt aqueous solutions. The results showed that durability of sandstones under study is related to their petrographical and physical characteristics. The durability index of the sandstone samples was decreased by pH reduction and by increasing the concentration of aqueous solutions. The durability index of Ahwaz samples, too, was decreased in basic solutions while this index increased for Haftkel sandstones with the increase in the pH of solutions. Also, the obtained results illustrated that durability index decreased with the increase in the number of cycles. Based on the results, all sandstones show that the durability in sodium sulfate solution is much lower than that for the sodium chloride. Moreover, the slake durability index of the sandstones is decreased with an increase in the concentration of aqueous solutions. As a final statement, the Ahwaz sandstones show lower resistance to weathering processes than Haftkel sandstones; therefore, the use of rocks as building stones is not recommended here.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alavi M (2004) Regional stratigraphy of the Zagros fold-thrust belt of Iran and its proforeland evolution. Am J Sci 304:1–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Angeli M, Hebert R, Menendez B, David C, Bigas JP (2010) Influence of temperature and salt concentration on the salt weathering of a sedimentary stone with sodium sulphate. Eng Geol 115:193–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ANON (1995) The description and classification of weathered rocks for engineering purposes. Q J Eng Geol Hydrogeol 28:207–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D4644–87 (1998) Standard test methods for slake durability of shales and similar weak rocks: annual book of ASTM Standards, vol 04.08. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell FG (1993) Durability of carbonate rock as building stone with comments on its preservation. Environ Geol 21:187–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bell FG (2000) Engineering properties of soils and rocks. Acadmic Division of Unwin Hyman Ltd, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Benavente D, Garcia Aadel Cura MA, Bernabeu A, Ordonez S (2001) Quantification of salt weathering in porous stones using an experimental continuous partial immersion method. Eng Geol 59:313–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benavente D, Martínez-Martinez J, Cueto N, Garcia-del-Cura MA (2007) Salt weathering in dual-porosity building dolostones. Eng Geol 94:215–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brimblecombe P (2011) Environment and architectural stone. In: Siegesmund S, Snethlage R (eds) Stone in architecture. Springer, Berlin, pp 317–346

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Brown ET (1981) Rock characterization testing & monitoring ISRM suggested methods. Pergaman Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Charola AE, Puhringer J, Steiger M (2007) Gypsum: a review of its role in the deterioration of building materials. Environ Geol 52:339–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coussy O (2006) Deformation and stress from in-pore drying-induced crystallization of salt. J Mech & Phys Solids 54:1517–1545

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dhakal G, Yoneda T, Kato M, Kaneko K (2002) Slake durability and mineralogical properties of some pyroclastic and sedimentary rocks. Eng Geol 65:31–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dreesen R, Dusar M (2004) Historical building stones in the province of Limburg (NE Belgium): role of petrography in provenance and durability assessment. Mat Characterization 53:273–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fobe BO, Vleugels GJ, Roekens EJ, VanGrieken RE, Hermosin B, Ortega-Calvo JJ, delJunco AS, Saiz Jimenez C (1995) Organic and inorganic components in limestone weathering crusts from cathedrals in southern and western Europe. Environ Sci Technol 29:1691–1701

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folk RL (1974) Petrology of sedimentary rocks. Hemphill Publ. Comp, Austin

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford DC, Williams PW (1989) Karst geomorphology and hydrology. Unwin Hyman, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ghobadi MH, Momeni AA (2011) Assessment of granitic rocks degradability susceptive to acid solutions in urban area. Environ Earth Sci 65:753–760

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghobadi MH, Mousavi S, Khodabakhsh S (2009) Role of long-term weathering in recognizing engineering geology properties of Aghajari sandstones, Kheirabad dam site (northeastern Behbahan city). Bu- Ali Sina University J Sci 5:69–80 (in Persian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghobadi MH (2003) The relationship between lithology and durability for assessment of rock slope instabilities (case study). Shahid Chamran J Sci 8:1–16 (in Persian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gokceoglu C, Ulusay R, Sonmez H (2000) Factor affecting the durability of selected weak and clay bearing rocks from Turkey, with particular emphasis on the influence of the number of drying and wetting cycles. Eng Geol 57:215–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goudie AS, Cook RU, Evans IS (1970) Experimental investigation of rock weathering by salts. Area 4:8–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta V, Ahmed I (2007) The effect of pH of water and mineralogical properties on the slake durability (degradability) of different rocks from the Lesser Himalaya, India. Eng Geol 95:79–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • James GA, Wynd JG (1965) Stratigraphic nomenclature of Iranian Oil Consortium Agreement Area. Bull AAPG 49(12):2182–2245

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamshidi A, Nikudel MR, Hafezi-Moghadas N (2009) 12th Symposium of the Geological Society of Iran 2:120–126, in Persian

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson RB, DeGraff JV (1988) Principles of engineering geology. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipfert FW (1989) Atmospheric damage to calcareous stones. Comparison and reconciliation of recent experimental findings. Atmos Environ 23:415–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsukura Y, Matsuoka N (1991) Rates of tafoni weathering on uplifted shore platforms in Nojima-Zaki, Boso Peninsula, Japan. Earth Surf Proc and Landforms 16:51–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGreevy BJ (1988) Contour scaling of a sandstone by salt weathering under simulated hot desert conditions. Earth Surf Proc and Landforms 13:697–705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mousavi S (2006) The study of rock durabilities and gypsum solubility for water tightness of kheirabad dam, Behbehan. Dissertation (MSc Thesis), Bu-Ali Sina university, Hamadan; 2006 (in Persian).

  • Ning L, Yunming Z, Bo S, Gunter S (2003) A chemical damage model of sandstone in acid solution. Int J Rock Mech & Min Sci 40:243–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Price DG (1995) Weathering and weathering processes. Q J Eng Geol Hydrogeol 28:243–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruedrich J, Siegesmund S (2007) Salt and ice crystallization in porous sandstones. Environ Geol 52:225–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schiavon N, Zhou LP (1996) Magnetic, chemical and microscopical characterization of urban soiling on historical monuments. Environ Sci & Tech 30(12):3264–3629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schiavon N (1992) BSEM study of decay mechanisms in urban oolitic limestones. In: Webster RGM (ed) Stone cleaning and the nature of soiling and decay mechanisms of stone. Donhead Publ, Edimburgh, pp 141–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiavon N (1991) Gypsum crust formation and stratigraphy in weathered building limestones: a SEM study of stone decay in the UK. In: Sabbioni C, Baer NSA, Sors J (eds) Proceedings of the european symposium science & technology for european cultural heritage. Butterworth-Heinemann Publishers, Bologna, pp 445–447

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiavon N (2007) Kaolinisation of granite in an urban environment. Environ Geol 52:399–407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shahidzadeh-Bonn N, Desarnaud J, Bertrand F, Château X, Bonn D (2010) Damage in porous media due to salt crystallization. Physical Review E 81(6):doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.81.066110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh TN, Sharma PK, Khandelwal M (2006) Effect of pH on the physico-mechanical properties of marble. Bull Eng Geol Environ 66(1):81–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh TN, Verma AK, Singh V, Sahu A (2005) Slake durability study of shaly rock and its predictions. Environ Geol 47:246–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith BJ, Magee RW, Whalley WB (1994) Break down pattern of quartz and stone in a polluted urban environment. In: Robinson DA, Williams RBG (eds) Rock weathering and landform evolution. Wiely, Belfast, pp 131–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Snethlage R, Wendler E (1997) Moisture cycles and sandstone degradation. In: Baer NS, Snethlage R (eds) Saving our architectural heritage: the conservation of historic stone structures. Wiley, Chichester, pp 7–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Steiger M, Charola AE (2011) Weathering and deterioration. In: Siegesmund S, Snethlage R (eds) Stone in architecture. Springer, Berlin, pp 227–316

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Turkington AV, Smith BJ (2000) Observations of three-dimensional salt distribution in building sandstone. Earth Surf Proc and Landforms 25:1317–1332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van TT, Beck K, Al-Mukhtar M (2007) Accelerated weathering tests on two highly porous limestones. Environ Geol 52:283–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zorlu K (2008) Description of weathering states of building stones by fractal geometry and fuzzy inference system in the Obla an acient city (southern Turkey). Eng Geol 101:124–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr. B. Rafie from Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran for their help with the XRD analysis and V. Hassanvand for surveying the sandstone thin sections.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology Department, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

    M.H. Ghobadi & S. Mousavi

Authors
  1. M.H. Ghobadi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Mousavi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M.H. Ghobadi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ghobadi, M., Mousavi, S. The effect of pH and salty solutions on durability of sandstones of the Aghajari Formation in Khouzestan province, southwest of Iran. Arab J Geosci 7, 641–653 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-012-0741-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-012-0741-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation