Physio-Mechanical and Petrographic Characteristics of Granitic Rocks from the Demote Valley, Gilgit, Pakistan: Implications for Strength and Bearing Capacity

Shahbaz Alam; Masroor Alam; Ishfaq Ahmad; Sona  karim; Massam  Ali; Meixia Zhao; Muhib Ullah; Shaikh Sanaullah; Amjad Ali; Izhar Ahmed

Authors

Shahbaz Alam Karakoram International University, Gilgit, 15100, Pakistan
Masroor Alam Karakoram International University, Gilgit, 15100, Pakistan
Ishfaq Ahmad Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology,Chinese Academy of Sciences
Sona karim State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
Massam Ali State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
Meixia Zhao Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou,510301, China
Muhib Ullah Center for Geographical Information System, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan
Shaikh Sanaullah State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Guangzhou, 510301, China
Amjad Ali School of earth science and resources, China university of Geosciences, Beijing.
Izhar Ahmed Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering (KLSGG), Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China

Keywords:

Granitic Rocks, Physio-Mechanical Properties, Petrography, Gilgit Baltistan

Abstract

The granitic rocks of the Damote Valley (Juglote Group, Kohistan Batholith) were evaluated for their physio-mechanical and petrographic properties to assess their suitability for construction, particularly as dimension stones. Detailed petrography and tests such as Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS), Brazilian Tensile Strength (BTS), Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV), Schmidt Hammer, Specific Gravity, Porosity, Water Absorption, and Slake Durability were conducted. The granitic rocks, medium to coarse-grained with no preferred orientation, consist mainly of plagioclase (19–35%), quartz (30–43%), and alkali feldspar (40–44%), along with biotite, muscovite, sericite, and minor opaque minerals. Based on geographic location, the granites are divided into three zones: Fulkin granite (Zone 1), Bargin (Zone 2), and Shing (Zone 3). The average Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) values of the granite from the Demote area are 63 MPa for Fulkin granite, 66 MPa for Bargain granite, and 53 MPa for Shing granite, reflecting the granite’s suitability for engineering applications. BTS values range from 7.55 to 12.04 MPa. Schmidt hammer rebound values range from 43 to 47, while specific gravity averages from 2.5 to 2.98. Water absorption is low (0.34–0.60%), and porosity ranges from 1.19% to 1.28%. All results fall within ASTM specifications. The medium-grained granite is stronger and more durable than coarse-grained varieties due to its tighter grain packing and fewer microcracks. Based on these findings, Damote granites are suitable for construction in roads, bridges, constructions, and the dimension stone in the area.

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