REPORT ON ONE ROCK SAMPLE
One rock sample was supplied by Laboratory Manager, CGGC. Suki Kinari Hydropower
Project vides reference no. Nil, dated 15-06-2020. The work required to be carried out
was defined as ‘Detailed Petrographic Analysis’ and mineralogical identification of rock
sample. The material was supplied to check suitability for use as coarse-aggregate in
bituminous and Portland cement as per ASTM C 295. The sample was studied under
low magnification as well as under high magnification. After identifying each of the rock
types /subtypes present, complete modal analysis of the sample provided was carried
out. The results are given in Tables Nos. 1-3 and plates 1A to 1B.
This was followed by petrographic thin-section analysis under polarizing microscope, of
the representative rock type/subtype chosen out of the samples provided. The purpose
of this study was to completely describe the petrography and to identify deleterious
constituents.
Average petrographic compositional model of the provided rock sample is
presented in the following pages.
Recommendations:
The petrographic studies show that;
1. The rock sample YPW115-SJ-20061 (Source; Ghanool Nullah) is deleterious.
2. It has Potential Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) Potential.
3. Therefore this sample may not be safely used as an aggregate with Ordinary
Portland Cement (OPC)/High Alkali Cement.
Prof. Dr. Shahid Ghazi
Table No. 1
Petrographic Modal Analysis of Rock Sample
Sample no. YPW115-SJ-20061
Source: Unknown
Rock: Sandstone
Size: a) Maximum: 12 cm b) Minimum: 10cm
Shape: Subangular to Angular
Bulk sample weight: 1Kg, stone sample.
Hardness: Hard
Dust: Clay occurs as dust.
Percentage (%)
Dark grey Sandstone 100%
Table No. 2: Detailed Petrographic Analysis
Sample No: YPW115-SJ-20061 Source: Ghanool Nullah
Thin Section No: 1A Rock: Sandstone
Petrographic Description
1. Thin-section study reveals brownish white, light to medium grey coloured fine to
medium grained sandstone.
2. The sample is composed of quartz , lithic fragments and feldspar occurs as a
subordinate phase.
3. The sample is composed of variety of clasts. Including Intraformational clasts
composed of sandstone, siltstone and clay.
4. Rock is moderate to poorly sorted sandstone with grain-size 0.4 mm to 1.25
mm.
5. Most of the grains are sub-rounded to sub-angular.
6. Both monocyrstalline and polycrystalline quartz are present in the sandstone.
7. Feldspar grains show alteration into clays. Biotite flakes show weak alteration
into chlorite, it also releases iron.
8. Epidote grains are commonly fractured and possess irregular outer boundary.
9. Cementing material is hematite, calcite, quartz and clay.
10. Based on petrographic studies the sample is sandstone and Sub-lithic Arenite to
Lithic-Arenite as per Folk’s classification of sandstone (1974).
Plate 1A
1. Major Component (95%)
It comprises of predominantly Quartz (62%), Feldspar (07%), Lithic-clast (26%).
Mineralogy Avg % Characteristics
Quartz is the predominant deterital constituent of this
sandstone sample. It constitutes about 62% of the
total rock components. Grain sizes range from 0.08
mm to 1 mm. Grains are mostly sub-angular to sub-
rounded and sorting is poor (1.55) to moderate (0.75).
Quartz 62.0
Few Quartz crystals contain irregular inclusions of
biotite, zircon, rutile and tourmaline. Monocrystalline
quartz averaging about 70% and Polycrystalline
quartz averaging about 30% of the total quartz. About
26% of quartz show undulatory (strained) extinction.
Feldspar occurs in various grain sizes. About 55% of
the feldspar grains are partially to completely altered,
and appear cloudy or turbid in nature with diffused
outer lines. Unaltered feldspar grains are sub-angular
Feldspar 7.0
to sub-rounded and possess clear twining. Alkali
feldspar (orthoclase and microcline) is more abundant
than plagioclase feldspar because of their greater
stability.
Rock fragments are clusters of many mineral grains.
They are mostly medium - to coarse-grained, sub-
rounded to rounded and at places angular. These
clasts are dominated by:
Clast %age
1. Siltstone 1.5%
2. Shale* 3.5%
Lithic-Clasts 26% 3. Limestone 3.0%
4. Dolomite* 2.5%
5. Quartzite* 3.0%
6. Quartz Mica Schist* 3.0%
7. Chert* 1.0 %
8. Slate/Phyillite* 3.0%
9. Acid to Intermediate Volcanics* 1.5%
10 Greywacke* 1.0%
11. Granite 2.0%
12. Epidot 1.0%
2. Minor Component (5%)
Mineralogy Avg % Characteristics
is a minor detrital grain component, which occurs as
well defined to very-finely comminute flakes and
shreds. It comprises on average 2.5% Both muscovite
Mica 3.5
and biotite are present but the later is more and
occurs as fine to very fine anhedral grains.
In thin sections, organic matter is characterized by its
Carbonaceous
1.5 dark yellowish-brown to black coloured isolated grain
matter
or grain clusters with translucent edges
Remarks:
1. The provided Sandstone sample source Ghanool Nullah is deleterious and contains
constituents deleterious are:
• 26% Stained Quartz
• 3.5% Shale
• 1.0% Chert
• 3.0 %Quartz Mica Shist
• 1.0% Greywacke
• 3.0% Quartzite
• 1.5% Acid to intermediate volcanic
• 3.0% Slate/argillite.
• 2.5 Dolomite.
2. These potentially deleterious constituents are not within safe limits.
3. The sample may therefore cannot use as aggregate with Ordinary Portland
Cement (OPC)/High Alkali Cement.
Table No. 3: Detailed Petrographic Analysis
Sample No: YPW115-SJ-20061 Source: Ghanool Nullah
Thin Section No: 1B Rock: Sandstone
Petrographic Description
1. Thin-section study reveals brownish white, light to medium grey coloured fine to
medium grained sandstone.
2. The sample is composed of quartz, lithic fragments and feldspar occurs as a
subordinate phase.
3. The sample is composed of variety of clasts. Including Intraformational clasts
composed of sandstone, siltstone and clay.
4. Rock is moderate to poorly sorted sandstone with grain-size 0.4 mm to 1.25 mm.
5. Most of the grains are sub-rounded to sub-angular.
6. Both monocyrstalline and polycrystalline quartz are present in the sandstone.
7. Feldspar grains show alteration into clays. Biotite flakes show weak alteration into
chlorite, it also releases iron.
8. Epidote grains are commonly fractured and possess irregular outer boundary.
9. Cementing material is hematite, calcite, quartz and clay.
10. Based on petrographic studies the sample is sandstone and Sub-lithic Arenite to
Lithic-Arenite as per Folk’s classification of sandstone (1974).
Plate 1B
1. Major Component (95.5%)
It comprises of predominantly Quartz (62%), Feldspar (7.5%), Lithic-clast (26%).
Mineralogy Avg % Characteristics
Quartz is the predominant deterital constituent of this
sandstone sample. It constitutes about 62% of the
total rock components. Grain sizes range from 0.08
mm to 1 mm. Grains are mostly sub-angular to sub-
rounded and sorting is poor (1.55) to moderate (0.75).
Quartz 62.0
Few Quartz crystals contain irregular inclusions of
biotite, zircon, rutile and tourmaline. Monocrystalline
quartz averaging about 70% and Polycrystalline
quartz averaging about 30% of the total quartz. About
26% of quartz show undulatory (strained) extinction.
Feldspar occurs in various grain sizes. About 55% of
the feldspar grains are partially to completely altered,
and appear cloudy or turbid in nature with diffused
outer lines. Unaltered feldspar grains are sub-angular
Feldspar 7.5
to sub-rounded and possess clear twining. Alkali
feldspar (orthoclase and microcline) is more abundant
than plagioclase feldspar because of their greater
stability.
Lithic-Clasts 26% Rock fragments are clusters of many mineral grains.
They are mostly medium- to coarse-grained, sub-
rounded to rounded and at places angular. These
clasts are dominated by:
Clast %age
13. Siltstone 1.5%
14. Shale* 3.5%
15. Limestone 3.0%
16. Dolomite* 2.5%
17. Quartzite* 3.0%
18. Quartz Mica Schist* 3.0%
19. Chert* 1.0 %
20. Slate/Phyillite* 3.0%
21. Acid to Intermediate Volcanics* 1.5%
22. Greywacke* 1.0%
23. Granite 2.0%
24. Epidot 1.0%
1. Minor Component (4.5%)
Mineralogy Avg % Characteristics
is a minor detrital grain component, which occurs as
well defined to very-finely comminute flakes and
shreds. It comprises on average 2% Both muscovite
Mica 3.5
and biotite are present but the later is more
In thin sections, organic matter is characterized by its
Carbonaceous
1.0 dark yellowish-brown to black coloured isolated grain
matter
or grain clusters with translucent edges
Remarks:
1. The provided Sandstone sample source Ghanool Nullah is deleterious and contains
constituents deleterious are:
• 26% Stained Quartz
• 3.5% Shale
• 1.0% Chert
• 3.0 %Quartz Mica Shist
• 1.0% Greywacke
• 3.0% Quartzite
• 1.5% Acid to intermediate volcanic
• 3.0% Slate/argillite.
• 2.5 Dolomite.
4. These potentially deleterious constituents are not within safe limits.
5. The sample may therefore cannot use as aggregate with Ordinary Portland Cement
(OPC)/High Alkali Cement.
Prof. Dr. Shahid Ghazi