Examination of geological and engineering properties of grounds in Diyarbakir province

This study was carried out to determine geological and engineering properties of grounds in diyarbakır city where a dense construction takes place.For this purpose, data of 1500 drillings at the region during 1994-2008 were evaluated in detail. Among them the data of 437 reliable drillings processed on a topographical map with 1/25 000 scale. Moreover, 10 drillings with total 150 m length were performed where the data were insufficient. Hardness tests were conducted with Schmidt hammer on some grounds where drilling is not possible.The study area is composed of 5 geological formations. They are divided into two groups as earth ground and rock ground. The earth ground contains Yeniköy Formation which is clay and silt layers, Gölpınar Formation which is sandstone, and quaternary aged old and new alluviums. The rock ground is described by some basalt units of Karacadağ Volcanism. In this study the whole formations numerically determined on a detailed geological map with 1/25 000 scale.Gölpınar formation and the rock units were determined stronger than the other formations and more suitable for building purpose by means of rock mechanical experiments and microtremor studies. Moreover, some risk areas were determined for structures especially Yeniköy formations where silt and sand layers take place. The other risk area in the region is the grounds where alluviums take place.Another important point revealed in the study is that in some district basalt did not find even though dense lava flow took place and also there is not any volcanic activity. Therefore, such areas should be taken into consideration for structures.Finally, the all data related with ground properties of Diyarbakır city were evaluated in detail and a huge achieves was established for further studies and new projects will performed in the city.