Petrographic and Geotechnical Characterization of Granites from the N’Goura Massif (Center-Sud/Tchad): Implication for their Used in Civil Engineering

Abstract

This work deals with the petrographic and geotechnical characterization of rocks from the N'goura massif with focus on their use in civil engineering. The study area is located in central southern Chad, about 205km to the north of N'Djamena. The N'goura massif is monzogranitic with two micas. The rocks outcrop as blocks, slabs and balls displaying fine, medium and coarse grained minerals. Monzogranite is composed of 34% quartz, 32% alkali feldspar, 26% plagioclase, 4% biotite, 2% muscovite and 1% chlorite on average. Geotechnical data show that the aggregates obtained from this rock have a Los Angeles coefficient ranging from 22.70 to 38.70% with an average of 30.70%, a Microdeval coefficient ranging from 4 to 13% with an average of 8.5% and a dynamic fragmentation coefficient ranging from 11.43 to 18.57% with an average of 15%. These results indicate that the studied materials are suitable to be used for construction and civil engineering works. The correlation between petrographic and geotechnical data reveals that the size (texture), grain structure and mineralogical composition (Qtz, Kfs and Bt+Ms+Chl+Ser) have an influence on the geotechnical behavior of these materials.