Physical and Mechanical Properties of the Lower Zab River Deposits and Their Possibility to be Used for Concrete Works in Dibbs Area, Northwestern Kirkuk, Northern Iraq

This research investigates the physical and mechanical properties of the lower Zab River deposits of Dibbis area, northwestern Kirkuk, where three samples were collected from the area to evaluate their suitability for concrete works through conducting number of tests. The results of the sieve size analysis of coarse aggregate are shown to be not correspondent with the Iraqi specification limits (IQS 45/1984) and for fine aggregate are correspondent for all sites. The flattening index range between (23.406 - 26.773%) and the elongation index ranges between (11.453 - 12.506%). The apparent specific gravity of coarse aggregate ranges between (2.616 - 2.680), and the saturated specific gravity range is (2.624 - 2.658), as well as the absorption ratio ranges between (0.2 0.4 %). For the fine aggregate, the dry specific gravity ranges between (2.605 - 2.633), saturated specific gravity (2.637 - 2.660) and absorption ratio ranges between (0.8 1.2%). The results of the Los Angeles test show the ratio of loss in weight is (14.801, 12.623, 16.861%) respectively, which are suitable for concrete works according to (IQS,41/1989) and (AASHTO, T96-02, 2019). The soundness test results (1.36, 1.84, 1.12 %) for coarse aggregate, and for fine aggregate (2.37, 2.04, 1.95 %) in order, conform with the specification limits of (ASTM, C-88-05, 2004). The results of the uniaxial compressive strength )UCS( test according to Anon (1977) that all the samples are classified within the (very strong extremely strong) range.