Suitability of Bastar Granitoids as Construction Material

Abstract

Granite, the commonest rock on the Earth's crust, is not only of great academic interest from the geological point of view but also of great economic significance due to its engineering properties and the mineral deposits it contains. The investigated region lies around the village Kerlapal of Bastar District, Chhattisgarh. Geological mapping has revealed the occurrence of Archaean granites/granite gneisses in the area around village Kurkial. These Late Archaean granites and granite gneisses are exposed as domical outcrops which stand out as torr like hillocks amidst relatively flatter alluvial lands. The engineering potentials of granites (mechanical and others) such as freshness of feldspars, insignificant mica content and high compressive strength, signify the high suitability of granites as very good construction material. On the basis of mineralogical, chemical and mechanical analyses, the properties of granitoids of the investigated region have been found at par with various standards/ specifications set for industrial uses. These granites are highly suitable for construction material.