A NEW SIMPLE METHOD TO DERIVE SOME PORE-RELATED PROPERTIES OF LIMESTONE FROM THE WEIGHT OF 4-CM OVEN-DRIED LIMESTONE CUBES

Abstract

In a previous paper (Moh’d, 2002), the author has presented a technical note for estimating some pore-related properties of limestone from bulk density and water absorption data. The method includes measuring four parameters (W1, W2, W0 and W3) which are the weights of 4-cm cubes of limestone in different states of water absorption (oven-dried, soaked in water, vacuum-pumped and then soaked in air) to derive porosity, water saturation, water absorption (normal and vacuum pumped), and density (bulk, dry and grain). In the present work it was found that W2, W0 and W3 can be derived from W1 as revealed by 50 specimens of almost pure Jordanian limestone. This is important as in the new method there is no need for the use of a vacuum pump. This may be very useful both in the field and also in laboratories where the necessary equipment, or time, is unavailable. It is highly recommended to test more samples and to include both bituminous and non-bituminous limestones with primary and secondary porosity types (inter-granular, inter-crystalline, fracture and vuggy). Cubes with dimensions other than 4-cm and other specimen shapes such as cylinders (to simulate cores) are to be included.