General geology and physical properties of limestone at Gua Panjang, Gua Musang Kelantan

Gua Panjang is located 15 km from the Gua Musang town. Gua Panjang represents the series of Gua Musang Formation, which aged from the Middle Permian to Upper Triassic. It is predominantly consists of limestone and sandstone interbedded with silt. The limestone found are mostly dark gray and milky white colors which have indicated that there is a process of metamorphism is present in this study area. The objective of this research is to produce the geological map of the study area and also to determine the physical properties of limestone in terms of their porosity, density, water content and slake durability. The result from the research is to compare if there is a different between the weathered rock and the fresh rock of limestone and to recommend the most suitable limestone for construction materials. The methods used in conducting the research are preliminary research, random sampling, slake durability test, porosity test, density test and water content test. The discussion of the physical properties of limestone is based on tables and a calculation of the data from the laboratory test. From the discussion, it shows that the porosity of limestone is averagely 51.21%, as for density 0.14 kg/m³, water content having an average of 0.10% and lastly slake durability index having an average of 99.31%. Based on the results the limestone in each three location is predominantly a pores type because the porosity is averagely 51.21%, which is the value is bigger than 2%. An increase in porosity is typically accompanied with an increase in deformability and permeability and abatement in quality. The decrease in strength with an increase in porosity was seen by Howarth (1987b). He also found that drilling rate increases with rock porosity. The density of limestone is typically 2.5 to 2.7 Kg/cm3, but the results from the experiments shows that it’s approximately 0.14kg/m³. This means that the limestone in this area is highly porous. Based on the results for slake durability, the limestone in this area is categorized to be having a very high durability nature.