Geotechnical properties of the Great Limestone in northern England

This paper is concerned with the mechanical properties of the Great Limestone in northern England. After first outlining the geological structure of the limestone at East Layton in north Yorkshire, the problem of the basal dolomitization of the limestone is introduced and the geochemistry of the rock profile evaluated. It is shown that chemical alteration due to dolomitization is accompanied by a mechanical weakening of the rock and a reduction in the quality of the bond between a tar or bitumen coating medium and the surface of the stone. The two types of rock are compared via specific gravity, moisture absorption, unconfined compressive strength, aggregate impact and aggregate crushing tests. The results from a detailed series of shear box tests taken through from peak to residual shear strength are interpreted through the fundamental strength properties of calcite and dolomite to show that whereas in the size range 200B.S. sieve, dolomite is a little weaker than limestone due to internal weakness associated with volume change; the situation is reversed as the particles decrease in size to form an aggregate of single dolomite crystals which are inherently more resistant to shear.