Evaluation of Limestone from Cretaceous to Tertiary age in Kurdistan Region of Iraq for Heavy Duty Road Pavement

Aggregates have an important role in the development and quality of Hot Mix Asphalt pavement, Engineers prefer using different types acidic aggregates as a dominant road pavement mixture. This study is focused on basic aggregate, for this purpose limestone used replacement to sandstone gravel base binder course, due its rough, tough, durable stable properties, that adheres well with hydrophobic properties. A petrographic chemical analysis by XRF method was carried out better determining mineralogical contents. Los Angeles Abrasion test measuring abrasion Kurdistan Region Iraq from Cretaceous-Tertiary age sources Shiranish Formation Pirat, Harir, Safin, Aqra-Bekhme Shakrok, Pila Spi Pirmam, Khurmala Euphrates North Qarachugh, Qamchuqa Bana Bawi, while only last four formations selected Marshal depending wear <45% according Iraqi SORB, 2003 standards. The soundness results showed samples are within required specifications. aggregate-asphalt mixture molds were prepared optimum content 4.7%, Marshall stability test, which revealed all suitable heavy-duty pavestone BQ Pm results.