University of Nevada Reno / THE CONSTRUCTION AGGREGATE POTENTIAL OF GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS STOREY COUNTY, NEVADA A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geological Engineering by Peter Robert Kraatz \W April 1989 MINE* jL li *r a r t T i i e s ( . 3 4?^ The thesis of Peter Robert Kraatz is approved: Dean Graduate School University of Nevada Reno April 1989 ii ACKNOWLE DGEMENTS The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of several individuals including Dennis Bryan, Jack Quade and the entire crew of Engineering Testing Associates. Dennis Bryan was helpful in conveying his extensive knowledge of construction aggregates and initially suggesting the thesis topic. Jack Quade assisted in every way possible by helping me collect important data and giving me unobstructed access to the field area. I especially thank the technicians of ETA for always keeping the laboratory available for my use to perform aggregate tests and Donna Vineis for happily committing her free time to help me type the thesis and complete other related paperwork. The author sincerely thanks the owners of Storey County Properties, especially Harold Lucey and Procter Hug who gave me the opportunity to conduct the thesis through their authorized property access and substantial financial assistance. I lastly wish to acknowledge the late Lowell D. Kraatz who gave me constant inspiration to complete this project. iii ABSTRACT The northern portion of the Virginia Range in Storey County, Nevada contains geologic deposits that exhibit various qualities of potential construction aggregate. Three major volcanic formations are classified as high potential aggregate. Washington Hill, an extrusive rhyolite dome, has been proven through various physical tests to contain strong and durable lightweight aggregate acceptable in construction products such as Portland cement concrete, asphaltic concrete and aggregate base. The easy access and close proximity of Washington Hill to Reno-Sparks enables this aggregate source to become economically mineable. The adequate reserves of Washington Hill could provide 5 million tons of aggregate annually for approximately 120 years, however, the rippability of the rock varies from moderate to difficult. Blasting, a high production cost for low value to weight ratio commodities, may be needed to facilitate aggregate extraction. Current increase in local population will prompt the development of high cost aggregate sources. iv CONTENTS INTRODUCTION......................................... £ overview.................... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is Construction Aggregate?....... !!!!!!!!!!!!!2 Importance of Construction Aggregate to Society........................................ Site Planning and Land Zoning for Aggregate Mining............................ Aggregate Investigation Site................. """*8 IDENTIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL CONSTRUCTION AGGREGATE..................... 9 Introduction.......................................... 9 Identification of Potential Construction Aggregate......................... 11 Field Evaluation of Potential Construction Aggregate......................... 15 Laboratory Testing of Potential Construction Aggregate......................... 19 Laboratory Tests to be Performed.................... 21 Sampling Aggregate Deposits......................... 32 AGGREGATE INVESTIGATION OF THE WASHINGTON HILL AREA..... 3 3 Introduction......................................... Location and Geographic Setting..................... 35 Physiography......................................... Scope of Work....................................... ’ 37 Previous Work....................................I I I I 38 Regional Geology..................................... 39 Kate Peak & Alta Formations.................... 39 Mineralization................................. Washington Hill Rhyolite....................... 42 Truckee Formation...............................44 Structure....................................... 45 Site Specific Geology................................ 52 Field & Laboratory Test Data........................ 60 Chemical Composition & Specific Gravity........ 60 Petrographic Analysis.......................... 62 Aggregate Quantity..............................63 Rippability Analysis........................... 63 Rippability Costs versus Drilling & Blasting Costs.................65 Deposit Statigraphy.............................66 Concrete Mix Designs........................... 66 MARKET ANALYSIS OF THE WASHINGTON HILL AGGREGATE........ 70 Aggregate Qualities of Washington Hill............. 70 Additional Characteristics of Washington Hill...... 73 Summary of Washington Hill Aggregate Qualities..... 75 Supply and Demand of Aggregate in the Reno-Sparks Area........................ 76 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.......................... 79 REFERENCES................................................. 83 V CONTENTS (Continued) APPENDICES Appendix 1. Permitted uses in A-l First Agricultural Districts & applications required for the extraction of construction aggregate in Washoe County, Nevada.... 99 2. Definition of Rock Fracturing............. 120 3. Seismic velocity charts, estimating ripping production, & Rippability Analysis of Washington Hill...........122 4. Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates (ASTM C33) & Standard Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Structural Concrete (ASTM C330)........................ 5. Identification and Evaluation of Potential Construction Aggregate Sources, Storey County Properties, Storey County, Nevada................. 142 6. Concrete Aggregates for Auburn Dam....... 178 ILLUSTRATIONS PLATES Page Plate 1. Geologic Map of the Washington Hill Area.........(In Back Pocket) 2 . Location Map of Current Aggregate Producers in the Reno-Sparks Area..... (In Back Pocket) I. Aggregate Potential Map of Appendix 5 ................ (in Back Pocket) FIGURES Page Figure 1. View of Washington Hill looking south from Long Valley Creek............... .36 2 . Section of stratified air-fall tuff along the north margin of Washington Hill.. .46 3. Section of waterlaid tuff along the southwest margin of Washington Hill.. 47 4 . Exposure of volcanic conglomerate and air-fall tuff near the southwest margin of Washington Hill............ .48 5. Exposure of volcanic conglomerate and mudstone near the northwest margin of Washington Hill................... .49 vi ILLUSTRATIONS (Continued) FIGURES (Continued) Figure 6. Exposure of low-angle fault along the Pa9G northeast margin of Washington Hill..... 54 7. Exposure of trough-shaped structure along the north side of Washington Hill....... 55 8. Close-range view of Figure 7................. 9. View looking north along the west side of* Washington Hill........................... 10. View looking east from the west side of Washington Hill........................... TABLES paa Table 1. Material characteristics and their significance in the performance of concrete................................ 2. Chemistry analysis of Washington Hill ....!.*!!! 61 3. Laboratory test data for Washington Hill coarse aggregate (ASTM C330).............. 86 4. Laboratory test data for Washington Hill fine aggregate (ASTM C330).................87 5. Concrete mix design no. LW185.................. 88 6. Concrete mix design no. LW186................. ]s9 7. Concrete mix design no. LW187.................. 90 8. Laboratory test results of mix no. LW185....!.'91 9. Laboratory test results of mix no. LW186...... 92 10. Laboratory test results of mix no. LW187...... 93 11. Laboratory test data for Washington Hill coarse aggregate (ASTM C33)................94 12. Laboratory test data for Washington Hill fine aggregate (ASTM C33)..................95 13. Concrete mix design no. LW199..................96 14. Laboratory test results of mix no. LW199....!.’97 15. Linear plot of compressive strength and water/cement ratio......................... 98 1 INTRODUCTON Overview This thesis is a presentation of the procedure under­ taken to identify, evaluate, extract, process and market construction aggregates, with aggregate acceptable for use in Portland cement concrete emphasized. Identification and evaluation of construction aggregate requires both a know­ ledge of geology and the physical characteristics necessary for product use. Extraction of suitable aggregates must be assessed in terms of their rippability, or the degree of difficulty to crush a mass of aggregate material into workable size. The degree of rippability of an aggregate deposit determines the machinery types to be used and mode of operation to be utilized for extracting and processing this resource. To successfully market an aggregate deposit, the aggregate producer must understand local land zoning regulations and estimate the production and market share of other producers. The producer must also investigate current economic conditions that will directly effect his production which may include: 1 1. Relationship between the supply and demand of constuction aggregate. 2 2. Population rate. 3. Physical conditions of transportation system. 4. Aggregate hauling rates. 5. Comparison of distances to supply areas from current mines and potential mine. 6. Accessibility of potential mine from major transportation network. Each of these economic factors must be evaluated to deter­ mine how a new aggregate source might perform in the local market. All aspects that may effect aggregate production should be investigated in order to determine if a deposit