Geotechnical characterization and rock mass classification of the Antalya karstic rock masses

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Tezin Türü: Doktora

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Mühendislik Fakültesi, Jeoloji Mühendisliği Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2012

Öğrenci: EVRİM SOPACI

Danışman: HALUK AKGÜN

Özet:

This thesis identifies the geotechnical parameters of the Antalya karstic foundation rocks (travertine/tufa), which are highly variable in nature, by means of geological observations, geotechnical site investigations, and field and laboratory geomechanics tests to examine karstic (mainly tufa) rock mass behavior. Several geotechnical parameters such as porosity, seismic wave velocity, uniaxial compressive strength, Young’s modulus, tensile strength, etc. that are thought to have significant influence on rock mass behavior have been tested and statistically analyzed. Principal component analysis and multiple linear and non-linear regression analyses have been carried out in order to reveal correlations between the geotechnical parameters tested. Porosity has been statistically determined to be one of the major parameters governing the strength of the Antalya tufa rock mass. Intact rock failure criteria, among which Bieniawski’s criterion has been proven to be more appropriate for each tufa type (phytoherm framestone, phytoherm boundstone, microcrystalline tufa, phytoclast tufa and intraclast tufa) along with the Antalya tufa rock mass have been determined from the experiments. GSI rock mass classification of the Antalya tufa rock mass, whose GSI value was recommended between 20±5 and 75±5, has been attempted to be used in engineering design. Furthermore, the depth and dimension of the karstic cavities and fractures have been investigated by the geophysical tests, surface geological survey and subsurface investigations (borings and observation pits).