Evaluation of the Physical and Mechanically Properties of Limestone Rocks in the Shawaa Area and Their Suitability for the Building Materials Industry

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of limestone rocks from the Shawa area, located east of Ghadames, Libya, in order to assess their suitability for use in sustainable building material applications. The methodology included the collection of rock samples from the site and conducting laboratory analyses to measure porosity, permeability, density, compressive strength, and tensile strength, in addition to mineralogical and petrographic analyses.

The results revealed that the limestone samples exhibited low porosity and permeability, relatively high density, and compressive strength values ranging from low to medium. Mineralogical analysis showed that calcite is the dominant mineral, classifying the studied rocks as limestone. Based on the findings, the study recommends the potential use of this type of rock in specific applications, particularly ornamental stonework, while emphasizing the need for broader studies covering other locations to validate the results. This research contributes to the ongoing efforts to utilize local geological resources in a more sustainable and efficient manner.