Correlation of geotechnical property limestones with ultrasonic velocity in Gaziantep region

Many engineering structures have recently been constructed on rock such aslimestone around the world. Their properties and behaviour under differentconditions are, however, not so well understood as those of other rocks or soils. It isnecessary to study detailed testing programs on limestones and experimental datamust be evaluated with engineering judgment. The aim of this thesis is to determinephysical and mechanical properties of Gaziantep limestone. For this exactly 245samples of limestone from different areas of Gaziantep were colleted and used inexperiments. Ultrasonic Velocity, Brazillian Tensile, Direct Shear, UniaxialCompressive Tests were performed and index properties such as dry-bulk-saturateddensities, water absorbtion were determined on selected specimens in laboratoryconditions. The tests were made according to International Society for RockMechanics ISRM (1981). The estimated ultrasonic velocity values were alsocorrelated against the physical and mechanical properties of the Gaziantep limestoneand a linear correlation coefficient (R2≈0.85) was obtained.Key words: limestone, ultrasonic velocity, Brazillian tensile test, direct shear test,uniaxial compressive test.