Evaluation of Petrographic and Geomechanical Properties of Inzari Formation Rocks for Their Suitability as Building Materials in the Nizampur Basin, Pakistan

This study focuses on the petrographic and geomechanical properties of the Inzari Formation rocks in Tar Khel Village, District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, on their suitability as building materials for structures such as bridges, buildings, and roads. Five fresh samples from various areas of this formation were analyzed and identified as siliciclastic mudstone through petrographic analysis. The results of physical properties (water absorption, specific gravity, and porosity) and mechanical properties (unconfined compression strength, unconfined tensile strength, Schmidt hammer test, and shear strength) indicate the Inzari Formation rocks have unconfined compressive strengths ranging from 23 to 94 MPa, specific gravity values ≥2.78, and low porosity and water absorption values (