Proposing Rehabilitation Scenarios for Limestone Quarries with 3D Modeling and 3D Print: Case of Jbel El Oust (Tunisian Atlas)

Abstract

The production of building materials in Tunisia has recently undergone a notable development thanks to several factors. Among these, we can mention the growth of property sector, the increase of the construction sites of public works (roads, motorways and bridges) and the use of the calcareous materials in cement production. All these factors led to the exploitation of new quarries of different types and ages, such as quarries of carbonated rocks of the Jurassic, Cretaceous and Eocene age. The exploitation of these quarries affects the environment and the landscape. Although the Tunisian legislation imposed an impact study (law no. 89-20 of 22 February 1989) carried out by the operating company to leave the quarry in a good state quarry being exploited, many quarries are abandoned without being redeveloped and integrated into their natural environment. Thus, good rehabilitation management performed by proposing redevelopment scenarios using three-dimensional modeling developed by specific software can be efficient to overcome the negative impacts of the quarries exploitation on the environment.