OICC Press Iranian Journal of Earth Sciences 2228-785X 2026 07 14 Geotechnical and Geochemical Characterization of Lockhart Limestone as Construction Aggregate, Galiyat, District Abbottabad 10.57647/ijes.2026.18284 EN Syed Amjad Ali Bukhari Department of Earth Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Pakistan Umair Bin Nisar Department of Meteorology, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad Campus, Pakistan Furqan Mahmud Butt Department of Meteorology, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad Campus, Pakistan Adeela Mazhar Department of Earth Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Pakistan Aqeel Goher Department of Earth Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Pakistan Faizan-ur-Rehman Qaisar Department of Meteorology, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad Campus, Pakistan Journal Article 2026 07 14 The building industry, adding more than Rs. 1000 billion to the economy of the country each year depends extensively on Limestone, a worldwide choice material valued for its strength, durability and wide range of applications, including structural concrete, cement production and architectural cladding. The present research assesses the Lockhart Limestone of Paleocene age from the Galiyat area (Abbottabad District) of the Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis, to determine its compatibility as a building material. A total of 15 representative samples were collected from three outcrops and analyzed through physio-mechanical testing. Six samples were taken for Petrographic analyses, indicate calcite-rich lithology (>75% composition), and geochemical composition of the Lockhart limestone was analyzed using the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique XRF depicting high purity (CaCO₃>90%). Physio-mechanical testing specified outstanding engineering properties: bulk specific gravity water absorption (ASTM C97) (>2.60), uniaxial compressive strength (ASTM C170) (60.6–103.3 MPa), and resistance to impact (BS 812-112) (12.1–18.2%), in addition to water absorption (ASTM C97) (<2%), sulphate soundness (ASTM C88) (<1%), and Los Angeles abrasion (ASTM C131) (22–34%). These findings confirm the Lockhart Limestone as a quality construction material, fulfilling stringent global standards for infrastructure development and emphasizing Pakistan's potential geological resources that remain untapped.