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Evaluation of engineering properties of scoria in central Harrat Rahat, Saudi

Arabia

Article  in  Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment · January 2000

DOI: 10.1007/s100640000061

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A. A. Sabtan William Shehata

King Abdulaziz University Saudi Geological Survey
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 Evaluation of engineering
properties of scoria
in central Harrat Rahat,
Saudi Arabia
A. A. Sabtan 7 W. M. Shehata

Abstract Although black scoria deposits occur matériaux d’isolation. Dans le but d’y remédier, la
extensively in western Saudi Arabia, there has been région du central Harrat Rahat fut sélectionnée pour
little work undertaken on its engineering character- une caractérisation technique des dépôts de scories
istics as a light-weight aggregate which can be used au voisinage de grandes villes susceptibles d’être
in concrete for structural, masonry and insulating approvisionnées facilement par de tels granulats. La
purposes. In an attempt to remedy this, central nature pétrographique des scories et leur teneur en
Harrat Rahat was selected for an engineering evalua- éléments indésirables satisfont aux normes ASTM
tion of scoria deposits in the vicinity of major cities mais les analyses granulométriques ont montré qu’il
where it may provide an easily accessible resource faudra procéder à certains traitements avant usage.
for natural aggregate. The petrography of the scoria Les propriétés physiques des scories telles que la
and the deleterious material content were found to masse volumique, la densité de la matrice et les
be acceptable by ASTM standards, but grading propriétés d’absorption obtenues à partir d’échantil-
analyses indicated it would need to be processed lons de la carrière de Jabal Halat Ash Shaykh, sont
before use. The other physical properties of the apparues correctes. La porosité des scories est relati-
scoria such as bulk density, specific gravity and vement forte et certains espaces poreux sont non
absorption indicated that samples from Jabal Halat connectés. Les scories présentent des propriétés
Ash Shaykh quarry gave acceptable results. The pouzzolaniques et peuvent aussi être utilisées
porosity of the scoria is relatively high and some of comme ajout au ciment Portland.
the pore spaces are not interconnected. The material
is pozzolanically active and can be also used as an Keywords Scoria 7 Physical properties 7 Saudi
additive to Portland cement. Arabia 7 Light-weight aggregate 7 Harrat Rahat

Résumé Bien que les dépôts de scories volcaniques Mots clés Scories 7 Propriétés physiques 7
noires soient largement répandus dans l’ouest de Granulats légers 7 Harrat Rahat 7 Arabie Saoudite
l’Arabie Saoudite, il y a eu peu de travaux portant
sur leurs caractéristiques techniques, comme
granulat léger susceptible d’être utilisé comme cons-
tituant de bétons de structure, de construction ou

Introduction
Strombolian-type explosions have formed numerous scoria
pyroclastic cones within the basaltic lava fields in western
Received: 16 April 1999 7 Accepted: 25 March 2000 Saudi Arabia. These basaltic lava fields are locally known
A. A. Sabtan 7 W. M. Shehata as harrats and they extend in a north-south direction
King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 1744, Jeddah 21441, covering about 180,000 km 2. As shown in Fig. 1, Harrat
Saudi Arabia Rahat is in a central position and is accessible by the
e-mail: esa30016kaau.edu.sa Jeddah-Madinah highway. Scoria in Harrat Rahat exists

Bull Eng Geol Env (2000) 59 : 219–225 7 Q Springer-Verlag 219

 A. A. Sabtan 7 W. M. Shehata

Aggregate properties
Sampling
Several trenches were excavated in the four sites in addi-
tion to the main pit and the existing test pits at Jabal Halat
Ash Shaykh. Samples representing the exposed thickness
of the black scoria layer in a total of 17 trench or test pits
were taken from the four sites, in addition to three samples
from the 16-m-thick black scoria layer in the main pit. The
trenches which exposed and red, altered or dirty scoria
were ignored. The samples were broken down in the field
to laboratory-size samples according to ASTM C-702.

Petrography
Petrographic examination of the scoria was performed to
satisfy ASTM C-295. The scoria, in its natural condition,
occurs as layers formed mainly of loose particles with a
maximum grain size of 20 mm. The particles are mainly
subrounded, angular to subangular and with rough to very
rough surfaces. The scoria is black to blackish-grey in
colour when fresh and changes to deep brown or yello-
wish-brown on weathered surfaces.
It is generally of a basaltic composition with vesicles, a
glassy matrix and some phenocrysts. The vesicles consti-
tute more than 60% of the material mass. They are of
different shapes (spherical, subspherical, ovoid, lobate and
sometimes irregular) but with limited size variations (up to
5 mm). Some of the vesicles are interconnected, while
Fig. 1 others are not connected. In some altered scoria, the vesi-
Location map of Harrat Rahat with respect to the other harrats cles are totally or partially filled with secondary minerals
(carbonates, quartz and possibly zeolites) and brownish
amorphous material. The ground mass containing the vesi-
cles consists of dark blackish volcanic glass with dusty iron
either in the form of cones or as deposits in the vicinity of oxides. The phenocrysts consist of clinopyroxene, plagio-
the cones formed by wind action during an eruption or by clase and rare olivine. The clinopyroxene occurs as colour-
subsequent erosion. less microphenocrysts of euhedral to subhedral diopside
Scoria has a number of industrial uses which make it while a few of the crystals are pale-green aegerine. The
potentially attractive for exploration and economic exploi- plagioclase occurs as randomly oriented microlites and the
tation. It can be utilised as light-weight aggregate, as a relatively coarse crystals have the composition of calcic
source of pozzolan for the manufacture of Portland- labradorite. Other accessory minerals such as apatite,
pozzolan cement and as an insulating material, as well as magnetite and spinel are also present in small amounts.
having many other industrial uses (Abdul Hafiz et al. 1998;
Moufti et al. 1998, 1999). The selection of the central Deleterious substances
section of Harrat Rahat for this study was based on its The following five types of deleterious substance may be
accessibility, its vicinity to the major cities in north- found in the coarse scoria and the last three in the fine
western Saudi Arabia and the presence of a scoria quarry scoria.
operated by the CIC company which exposes the scoria at
depth. 1. Particles sensitive to chemical reactions
The scoria reserves in Saudi Arabia are extensive. No One of the main purposes of examining the petrography of
serious assessments were made as to the quantity or the the aggregate is to identify any existing particles sensitive
quality of these deposits. The estimated reserves in the to chemical reactions. A number of minerals or forms of
four locations investigated within central Harrat Rahat silica are known to be reactive with alkalies. These are
namely Jabal Halat Ash Shaykh, Jabal Al Hala, Jabal Suwah intermediate to acid (silica-rich) volcanic glass and certain
and Jabal As Sahiliyah amount to 5 million m 3 (Moufti et zeolites. Since the volcanic glass constituting the scoria is
al. 1998). The objective of this paper is to describe the basic (silica-deficient), it can be assumed to be non-reac-
engineering properties of the scoria present in these loca- tive with the alkalis. The alkali reactivity of mortar cubes
tions as the start of a technical engineering program to made of scoria was tested for the alkali reactivity (Moufti
evaluate the rest of the resources. et al. 1999) and they were found to be non-reactive.

220 Bull Eng Geol Env (2000) 59 : 219–225 7 Q Springer-Verlag

 Engineering properties of scoria

Furthermore, this proves that the zeolites which may occur

in the scoria are also not deleterious.

2. Particles with physical defects concerning abrasion

resistance and soundness
The Los Angeles abrasion test as recommended by ASTM
C-131 requires a certain grading which did not exist in any
of the available scoria samples. Alternatively, the impact
value test suggested by the British Standards Institution
(1975) was performed on the material passing the 14-mm
BS test sieve and retained on the 10-mm sieve. Eight
samples were tested, giving impact values ranging between
23.6 and 54.0%, with an average of 40.2% and standard
deviation of 11.4%. The Los Angeles abrasion values were
estimated using the correlation suggested by Kazi and Al-
Molki (1982) and were found to range between 32.5 and
74.4%, with an average of 55.4% and standard deviation of
15.7%. The Los Angeles abrasion value would not be unac-
ceptable for normal aggregate, but there are no required
specifications for light-weight aggregate. The tests were
performed only for the sake of comparison.
The soundness test was performed on the coarse scoria
according to ASTM C-33 using the magnesium sulphate
method. The average maximum weight loss after five
cycles was 4.3%, which is very low compared to the
maximum allowable loss of 18% for coarse aggregate and
15% for fine aggregate (ASTM C-33). The pozzolanic
activity of the scoria, as will be discussed later, could have
contributed to its low soundness values.

3. Clay lumps and friable particles Fig. 2

The clay lumps were determined according to ASTM C-142 Clay lump content in the different scoria size fractions
in the size fractions of passing sieve #4 (~4.75 mm), 3/
8 in. to #4 and 3/4 to 3/8 in. Figure 2 shows the variations
in the clay lump content in the different size fractions. The 75 mm ranged between 0.8 and 3.4%, with an average of
clay lumps in the fine aggregate (~4.75 mm) ranged 2.0% and standard deviation of 0.8%. ASTM C-33 allows
between 0 and 2.9%, with an average of 1.1% and standard only 1% of material finer than 75 mm in the coarse aggre-
deviation of 0.7%, which satisfies the upper limit of 3% gate, but the percentage can increase to 1.5% if the fines
required by ASTM C-33 for fine aggregate. The clay lumps are free of clay or shale. The material taken from Jabal
in the coarse aggregate (3/4 in.-#4) ranged between 0.1 and Halat Ash Shaykh quarry main pit shows material finer
2.6%, with an average of 1.3% and standard deviation of than 75 mm ranging between 0.4 and 0.6%, with an average
0.7%. These values also satisfy ASTM C-33. However, they of 0.5%. The results indicate that the bulk deposit of the
do not satisfy the upper limit required for light-weight scoria at depth satisfies the ASTM C-33 requirements for
aggregate of 2% for structural concrete (ASTM C-330) and both the range and average proportion of material finer
concrete for masonry units (ASTM C-331). The proportion than 75 mm.
of clay lumps in the scoria samples obtained from Jabal
Halat Ash Shaykh quarry main pit, which is more than 5. Organic matter
18 m deep, ranged between 0.7 and 1.2%, with an average Organic material may include coal and lignite, which tend
of 1.0%, which satisfies the ASTM requirements. It is clear to occur as mechanically weak particles. The scoria, being
therefore that the clay lumps exceed the specification only of volcanic origin, would not be expected to have any coal
in the shallow trenches which were dug to a maximum or lignite, hence the simple qualitative colour test given in
depth of 3.5 m. ASTM C-40 may be enough to identify the organic matter
in the aggregate. The loss on ignition test suggested by
4. Material finer than 75 mm (sieve #200) ASTM C-114 reports the loss on ignition due to moisture
The material finer than 75 mm which represents the dust in and CO2 produced by the combustion of the organic mate-
the scoria was tested according to ASTM C-117. The dust rial and was undertaken on several scoria samples. The
was found to increase near the ground surface and percentage of the material lost on ignition ranged between
decrease with depth. In the scoria samples taken from the 1.37 and 1.42%, with an average of 1.41%. As the average
dug trenches, the percentage of the material finer than moisture content in the tested samples was 0.66%, the

Bull Eng Geol Env (2000) 59 : 219–225 7 Q Springer-Verlag 221

 A. A. Sabtan 7 W. M. Shehata

average percentage of the organic matter can be estimated exceeds the upper limits suggested by ASTM C-331 but
as 0.75%. ASTM C-33 sets an upper limit for the organic satisfies the limit suggested by ASTM C-332. The unifor-
impurities (coal and lignite) of 0.5% where surface appear- mity of grading is of no concern if the scoria is used in
ance is important and 1.0% for all other concrete. As the manufacturing insulating concrete but should be observed
scoria is already black in colour, the surface appearance if the material is to be used in manufacturing concrete
becomes immaterial and the 0.75% of organic matter satis- masonry units.
fies the ASTM C-33 requirements. As a light-weight aggre-
gate, ASTM C-330, C-331 and C-332 give higher upper Bulk density
limits of loss on ignition (5%) and the scoria therefore The bulk density (unit weight) of the scoria samples was
satisfies the requirements for structural concrete, concrete tested according to ASTM C-567. The bulk density values
masonry units and insulating concrete. were reported both as rodded density and loose density.
The rodded density values ranged between 740 and
Grain size distribution 1020 kg/m 3, with an average of 866 kg/m 3 and standard
The scoria, in its natural form, is well graded and could be deviation of 83 kg/m 3, while the loose density values
classified as GW according to the Unified Soil Classifica- ranged between 660 and 870 kg/m 3, with an average of
tion System (Terzaghi and Peck 1968). The gradation 776 kg/m 3 and standard deviation of 66 k g/m 3. ASTM C-
curves of the material (Fig. 3) partly fit within the limits 330, C-331 and C-332 require a maximum dry loose unit
given by the ASTM for light-weight aggregate for structural weight of 880 kg/m 3 for coarse aggregate and 1040 kg/m 3
concrete (ASTM C-330), concrete masonry units (ASTM C- for combined fine and coarse aggregate. The tested scoria
331) and for insulating concrete (ASTM C-332). There is no satisfies all the ASTM specifications. Figure 4 indicates a
doubt that the grading of the aggregate as such affects the reasonable relationship between the rodded density and
workability of a concrete mix. Workability in turn affects loose density, such that one can be estimated from a
the water and cement requirements, controls segregation knowledge of the other.
and also affects strength, shrinkage and durability of hard-
ened concrete. In its natural condition, the scoria does not Specific gravity (relative density)
have the right particle size to produce concrete of accept- The bulk specific gravity (dry), bulk specific gravity (satu-
able quality, hence it must be processed before use in a rated surface dry) and apparent specific gravity of the
mix. natural scoria retained on sieve #4 (4.75 mm; coarse aggre-
The fineness modulus ranges from 4.8 to 5.8 with an gate) and the material passing it (fine aggregate) were
average of 5.4 for the material from Jabal Halat Ash determined according to ASTM C-127 and C-128 respec-
Shaykh, 4.8 to 5.6 with an average of 5.3 for the material tively. Figure 5 shows the range and average specific
from Jabal Al Hala, 5.4 to 5.9 with an average of 5.7 for the gravity values of the coarse and fine scoria. The maximum
material from Jabal Suwah and 5.6 to 6.0 with an average of numerical differences between values calculated on oven-
5.8 for the material from Jabal As Sahiliyah. Although the dried and natural samples are 0.72 for the coarse aggregate
fineness modulus alone cannot be used as a description of and 0.75 for the fine aggregate. These differences are rela-
the grading of an aggregate, it is valuable for measuring tively high and should be taken into consideration in the
slight variations in aggregate from the same source. The mix design.
average fineness modulus values from the four locations
ranged from 5.3 to 5.8, showing variations of 9% which Water absorption
The water absorption of both coarse and fine scoria was
tested according to ASTM C-127 and C-128 respectively.

Fig. 3
Grain size distribution curves of scoria samples (dashed lines).
Solid lines show ASTM-required upper and lower limits for Fig. 4
coarse aggregate Relationship between loose density and rodded density

222 Bull Eng Geol Env (2000) 59 : 219–225 7 Q Springer-Verlag

 Engineering properties of scoria

Fig. 6
Relationship between water absorption and specific gravity for a
coarse scoria and b fine scoria

Fig. 5
Specific gravity values for coarse and fine scoria
The calculated values ranged between 41 and 47%, with an
average of 43% and standard deviation of 1.4%. These are
relatively high compared with other light-weight aggre-
The absorption of coarse aggregate ranged between 9.0 and gates. When the porosity values were plotted against the
20%, with an average of 13.1% and standard deviation of water absorption, no clear trend was observed (Fig. 7),
3.3%, and that of fine aggregate between 4.3 and 11.1%, supporting the contention that some of the pore spaces are
with an average of 7.5% and standard deviation of 2.2%. not interconnected and could not be filled with water upon
Water absorption should not exceed 3% for normal aggre- saturation.
gate (Collis and Fox 1985) but can be up to 30% for light-
weight aggregate (FIB 1983). Water absorption has a
considerable effect on the workability of the mix and the
uniaxial compressive strength of the concrete, hence it is
an important consideration in the mix design.
A reasonable correlation could be obtained between water
absorption and specific gravity of both the coarse (Fig. 6a)
and fine aggregate (Fig. 6b), although it was not sufficient
to allow one to be estimated from the other.

Porosity
The porosity of the scoria particles was calculated using
the following equation:
npe/(1ce)
where
ep(Ggw/gdry)P1
G is the apparent specific gravity
gw is the density of water in g/cm 3 Fig. 7
gdry is the dry density of scoria in g/cm 3 Relationship between water absorption and porosity

Bull Eng Geol Env (2000) 59 : 219–225 7 Q Springer-Verlag 223

 A. A. Sabtan 7 W. M. Shehata

Heat insulation
The heat insulation of the concrete prepared using the mix
designs suggested by CIC (Moufti et al. 1999) was tested in
Lee’s apparatus. The average thermal conductivity of the
concrete ranged between 0.168 and 0.195 W K –1 m –1
compared to the maximum average thermal conductivity
for the prescribed density of the concrete of
0.43 W K –1 m –1 (ASTM C-332). The concrete produced
therefore satisfies the ASTM requirements and can insulate
heat 5 to 7 times better than the quartz sand concrete.

Fig. 8
Pozzolanic activity of different scoria deposits. (After Moufti et Conclusions and recommendations
al. 1998)
The aggregate properties of the scoria in its natural condi-
tion suggest that it is generally suitable as a light-weight
aggregate, satisfying most of the ASTM requirements for
Pozzolanic activity structural concrete, concrete for masonry units and insu-
The pozzolanic activity of the scoria in the four locations lating concrete. If the scoria is taken from a reasonable
was tested using the Italian Standards (Italian Chemical depth away from the contaminated ground surface mate-
Society 1954) and reported by Moufti et al. (1998). The rial and is processed, it will satisfy the remaining require-
results of the tested samples fall below the lime solubility ments.
isotherm, indicating that all the scoria deposits are pozzo- These studies are of particular importance not only for
lanically active (Fig. 8). Saudi Arabia but also for other areas of similar climatic
regime and geology. In Saudi Arabia, the extensive occur-
rence of scoria, its potential uses as structural concrete, in
the manufacture of masonry blocks and as a heat-insu-
Concrete properties lating material make it a valuable economic resource.

The concrete properties were reported by Moufti et al. Acknowledgments The authors wish to extend their gratitude to
(1998, 1999) and are summarized as follows: King Abdulaziz University for its financial support of Project no.
417/201 and the Faculty of Earth Sciences for making its laborato-
ries and field facilities available to the research team. The authors
Concrete strength
are also grateful to CIC for giving the research team access to its
Four mix designs were prepared and tested by Moufti et al. site and permitting them to use its facilities and equipment. The
(1998, 1999). Three mixes were prepared according to the authors are thankful to Mr. M. Ghazal for his assistance in the
specifications provided by CIC with various percentages of laboratory testing programme.
fine scoria aggregate in addition to additives such as silica
fume and Cico Fluid FG, while the fourth mix was
prepared based on the weight method of Neville (1981) and
using silica sand. The minimum average uniaxial compres-
sive strength of the first three mixes was 35.8 MPa, References
satisfying the minimum required strength of 28 MPa for
structural concrete (ASTM C-330). The fourth mix yielded Abdul Hafiz K, Tayeb O, Ghandurah R, Roobol J (1998)
an unacceptable average strength of 22.4 MPa. Economic evaluation of basaltic and its derivatives in the north
of Harrat Rahat. Proc 5th Meeting of Saudi Society Earth
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above the 2.3-MPa minimum allowable tensile strength for testing of mineral aggregates, sand and fillers: BS 812. BSI,
structural concrete (ASTM C-330). However, as the tensile London, pp 32–79
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the values were below the acceptable limits. A comparison rock aggregates for construction purposes. Geol Soc Eng Geol
Spec Publ 1, 220 pp
of the behaviour of the different mixes under compression FIP (1983) FIP manual of light weight aggregate concrete, 2nd
indicated that the concrete prepared using the mix designs edn. Surrey University Press, Glasgow, 259 pp
suggested by CIC would probably have given satisfactory Italian Chemical Society (1954) Proc Symp on Pozzolanas and
results. Their Use. Ann Chim 44 : 569–768

224 Bull Eng Geol Env (2000) 59 : 219–225 7 Q Springer-Verlag

 Engineering properties of scoria

Kazi A, Al-Molki ME (1982) Empirical relationship between Moufti MR, Sabtan AA, El-Mahdy O, Shehata WM (1999)
Los Angeles abrasion and aggregate impact value tests. Proc Assessing of industrial utilization of scoria materials in central
4th Congr IAEG, vol VI, pp 293–299 Harrat Rahat. Submitted for publication in Engineering
Moufti MR, Sabtan AA, El-Mahdy O, Shehata WM (1998) Geology
Geologic and engineering assessment of the pyroclastic Neville AM (1981) Properties of concrete. Pitman, London, 774
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Bull Eng Geol Env (2000) 59 : 219–225 7 Q Springer-Verlag 225

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