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TES analysis for crushed stone aggregate quarry site selection: the case of limestone terrain around Harer-Dire Dawa towns, Eastern Ethiopia

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Abstract

The quality of crushed stone aggregates influences the durability and performance of pavement and concrete as they are the dominant component in the mix. Hence, the selection of a suitable quarry site with the quality source material is essential. Since the quarry site suitability assessment involves various factors, it is more economical to follow a stage-wise suitability assessment approach (i.e., preliminary evaluation and then refinement based on field data). The preliminary evaluation was done using readily available data in the office such as lithology, land use–land cover, proximity to built-up areas, distance to watercourses, distance to existing roads, relative relief, and slope angle. The purpose of the present work is to refine the preliminary limestone crushed stone aggregate suitability map (produced in the preceding work) considering the rock mass quality, slope stability, reserve, depth to groundwater table, and overburden thickness. The required data, such as unconfined compressive strength, rock quality designation, and geometrical properties of discontinuity, were collected during a detailed field survey from preliminary highly and moderately suitable sites. Rock mass classification systems, such as rock mass rating (RMR) and slope mass rating (SMR), were used to assess rock mass quality and slope stability, respectively. The weighting scheme approach is then applied and the ratings assigned to each factor (RMR, SMR, reserve, depth to water table, and overburden thickness) summed up to produce a total estimated suitability (TES) map. The map showed that 40.4% of the preliminary suitable sites are unsuitable, 20.3% moderately suitable, 14.7% highly suitable, and 24.7% most suitable.

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Abbreviations

AHP:

analytical hierarchy process

EPA:

Environmental Protection Authority

GIS:

geographical information systems

GSE:

Geological Survey of Ethiopia

J v :

volumetric joint count

KAT:

kinematic analysis tool

R:

Schmidth hammer

RMR:

rock mass rating system

RQD:

rock quality designation

SMR:

slope mass rating

TES:

total estimated suitability

TESR:

total estimated suitability rating

UCS:

uniaxial compressive strength

α p :

strike of the potential discontinuity plane

α s :

strike of the slope

β f :

slope inclination

β p :

dip of the potential failure plane

ф :

angle of friction

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful for every supports provided by AASTU. We would like to acknowledge Mr. Bonsa Temesgen from East Harerghe Zone Water, Mine, and Energy Bureau for the technical support and assistance during field work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, College of Applied Sciences, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, P.O. Box 16417, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Leta Gudissa & Matebie Meten

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Adama Science and Technology University, P.O. Box 1888, Adama, Ethiopia

    Leta Gudissa

  3. School of Earth-Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Tarun Kumar Raghuvanshi

  4. Department of Applied Geology, School of Natural Sciences, Adama Science and Technology University, P.O. Box 1888, Adama, Ethiopia

    Yadeta Chemdesa Chemeda

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  1. Leta Gudissa
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The 1st author has done technical, scientific analysis of the research and developed the manuscript. The 1st co-author read and suggested amendments in the analysis and structure of the manuscript and reviewed the final manuscript. The 2nd and 3rd co-authors reviewed the final manuscript and enhanced the overall quality of the manuscript, including language correction. All authors contributed, read, and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Leta Gudissa.

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Gudissa, L., Raghuvanshi, T.K., Meten, M. et al. TES analysis for crushed stone aggregate quarry site selection: the case of limestone terrain around Harer-Dire Dawa towns, Eastern Ethiopia. Arab J Geosci 14, 315 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-06614-5

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