Engineering Properties of Eğirdir-Kızıldağ Harzburgitic Peridotites in Southwestern Turkey

Abstract

In rock mechanics, various methods are available to detect the rock properties. The aim of this study is to determine physical and mechanical properties of the serpentinized ultrabasic rocks such as Eğirdir-Kızıldağ Harzburgitic Peridotites. The serpentinized ultrabasic rocks are commonly used for architecture and the ground under road bases in many areas and also widely used for indoor elements such as tables, pilasters and ornaments of different kinds. In this study, geophysical and geotechnical tests including P and S- wave velocities, rigidity modulus, Poisson ratio, elasticity modulus, bulk modulus, natural period, safe bearing capacity and bedding coefficient were performed on nine rock samples, collected from different areas. Geophysical and geotechnical studies were carried out both parallel and perpendicular to foliation planes of the cubic samples. Ultrasonic P-Wave Velocity (UPV), Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS), volumetric water contents, effective porosity, unit volume weight, density and weight of all samples were calculated. Finally, statistical relations among the measured parameters were established by using regression analysis.