## 4 Results and Discussions  
### Physicochemical Properties  
#### 4.1.1 Unconfined Compressive Strength or Uniaxial Strength  
The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) is the maximum stress a specimen can endure before failure, and it is determined by applying unidirectional stress to a rock sample, as shown in Formula (1). UCS is a key factor in assessing the suitability of a rock as a construction material, as it indicates the rock's toughness--its ability to resist weathering while maintaining its original size, shape, strength, and appearance over time. It is generally accepted that rocks with a UCS of at least 35 MPa are appropriate for use as building stones. In this study, the UCS of the tested rock samples was measured using a direct approach with a strength-testing machine. Cube samples, each measuring 3 inches in both width and length, were used for the tests. For each bulk sample, UCS tests were conducted on three specimens. The rock samples were placed into the strength-testing apparatus, and a continuous force was applied without causing shock waves, as shown in Figure 8. The results of these UCS tests are provided in Table 1 and Figure 9.  
Figure 8: Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test setup and results. (**a**) Representative 3-inch cube samples prepared for UCS testing. (**b**) Cube sample placed in the strength-testing machine, which applies unidirectional stress, showing the setup used to determine the UCS of the rock specimens. (**c**) Image of a core sample during the fracturing process, indicating the failure stage during the UCS test. These tests were conducted to assess the suitability of Inzari Formation rocks as construction materials based on their mechanical strength properties. Figure 7: Flowchart of rock physical and mechanical tests. The UCS values for the Inzari Formation rocks indicate they fall within the \"strong\" category for construction use. This is consistent with the findings from the NikanaiGhar limestone study, where UCS values averaged 93.348 MPa. Such results further demonstrate the suitability of Inzari Formation rocks as reliable materials for construction. Rocks with \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Sample Number**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**Cube Sample**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Diameter**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Area**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Load**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Strength**} \\ \cline{3-10}  & & **in** & **m** & **in\({}^{2}\)** & **m\({}^{2}\)** & **lbf** & **ton** & **psi** & **MPa** \\ \hline Pi1 & Pi1 (a) & 2.25 & 0.05 & 4.0 & 0.002 & 13,235 & 6.61 & 3309 & 23 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Pi2} & Pi2 (a) & 3.28 & 0.08 & 8.5 & 0.005 & 43,590 & 21.79 & 5128 & 35 \\ \cline{2-10}  & Pi2 (b) & 3.28 & 0.08 & 8.5 & 0.005 & 44,212 & 22.10 & 5201 & 36 \\ \cline{2-10}  & Pi2 (c) & 3.28 & 0.08 & 8.5 & 0.005 & 87,930 & 43.96 & 10,345 & 71 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Pi3} & Pi3 (a) & 3.28 & 0.08 & 8.5 & 0.005 & 78,179 & 39.08 & 9198 & 63 \\ \cline{2-10}  & Pi3 (b) & 3.28 & 0.08 & 8.5 & 0.005 & 92,526 & 46.26 & 10,885 & 75 \\ \cline{2-10}  & Pi3 (c) & 3.28 & 0.08 & 8.5 & 0.005 & 85,567 & 42.78 & 10,067 & 69 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Pi4} & Pi4 (a) & 3.28 & 0.08 & 8.5 & 0.005 & 63,284 & 31.64 & 7445 & 51 \\ \cline{2-10}  & Pi4 (b) & 3.28 & 0.08 & 8.5 & 0.005 & 95,640 & 47.82 & 11,252 & 78 \\ \cline{2-10}  & Pi4 (c) & 3.28 & 0.08 & 8.5 & 0.005 & 115,501 & 57.75 & 13,588 & 94 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Pi5} & Pi5 (a) & 2.22 & 0.05 & 4.0 & 0.002 & 13,435 & 6.71 & 3359 & 23 \\ \cline{2-10}  & Pi5 (b) & 2.22 & 0.05 & 4.0 & 0.002 & 14,224 & 7.11 & 3556 & 25 \\ \cline{2-10}  & Pi5 (c) & 3.28 & 0.08 & 8.5 & 0.005 & 84,322 & 42.16 & 9920 & 68 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Pi6} & Pi6 (a) & 3.28 & 0.08 & 8.5 & 0.005 & 92,490 & 46.24 & 10,881 & 75 \\ \cline{2-10}  & Pi6 (b) & 3.28 & 0.08 & 8.5 & 0.005 & 59,687 & 29.84 & 7022 & 48 \\ \cline{2-10}  & Pi6 (c) & 3.28 & 0.08 & 8.5 & 0.005 & 85,114 & 42.55 & 10,013 & 69 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: Unconfined compressive strength test result of the studied samples.