ESTUDO EM LABORATÓRIO DE ALTERAÇÃO DE BASALTO: ENSAIOS DE CICLAGEM ÁGUA - ESTUFA

Basalt alteration laboratory study: wetting-drying test

Abstract

Among the numerous applications that rock materials have in engineering is their use as a coarse and fine aggregate in the most different types of infrastructure works, in this context, knowledge of the changing characteristics of rock materials is essential for prevention and maintenance for anyone who be your applications. This work presents the results obtained in a laboratory study with a view to evaluating the alteration of two samples of aggregates of compact massive basalt (BMC) and vesicular basalt (BVA), in the 9.5 to 6.3 mm particle size range, by means of dry-wet cycling tests with evaluation of the degree of alteration based on physical index tests (apparent specific gravity, apparent porosity and absorption water) and the crushing strength test. The results of the physical indices showed values for apparent specific gravity (BMC: 2.85 g/cm³ - BVA: 2.61 g/cm³), apparent porosity (BMC: 7.51 - BVA: 9.59%) and absorbed water ( BMC: 2.67- BVA: 3.59%) which indicate low predisposition to alteration. The crushing strength index for the two lithotypes after the dry-wet cycling tests is in the order of 0.73. According to the results obtained, the aggregates of the two lithotypes present adequate characteristics for their use as aggregates in engineering works.