Optimizing the prediction of limestone suitability for aggregates manufacturing by combining destructive and non-destructive techniques with statistical assessment (case study Northern Tunisia)

This study aimed to predict the quality of aggregates to be produced from the Lower Eocene limestone of septentrional Tunisia and to identify suitable industrial applications. A series of sampling from two different deposits (Jebel Soumeur and Kef Chegagga) in Bizerte region was conducted: thirteen limestone lithotypes were subjected to a comprehensive characterization of their mineralogical and geochemical composition, petrophysical (bulk density (ρ_bulk), water absorption (%W) and P-wave velocity (Vp)) and mechanical (Los Angeles (LA) and Micro-Deval (MDE)) properties. Statistical assessment of the dataset by the Principal Components Analysis (PCA) that allowed the combination of destructive and non-destructive analysis showed a significant distinction between the limestone deposits according to their mineralogical composition (85% < Calcite < 99% − 1% < Quartz < 15%) and their microstructural properties that affect the material durability. These results highlighted that the most compact limestone samples (Vp ≥ 4000 m/s) with the highest purity degree (CaCO₃ ≥ 95%) are the most resistant to wear and weathering conditions (LA ≤ 20%, MDE ≤ 15%) and are the most compatible for aggregate manufacturing in accordance with standards requirements.