Engineering geology of Manisa Kavaklidere small dam

The aims of this study were to identify geological engineering properties of the Kavaklıdere Small Dam which is being planned to be located on the Değirmendere river which flows near Kavaklıdere village located near Manisa?Alaşehir province. Geotechnical properties of the sedimentar rocks were determined with both land and laboratory tests.In order to preparate core samples from waek cemented sedimentar rock materials, we improved a different laboratory method. Thus, engineering and index properties of rock materials were determined.According to piezometer measurements in the area, bearing capacity and amount of the settlement were calculated. After that, by using the materials and mass properties of rocks, we determined location of the rocks in the Geological Strength Index .In order to get an emprical approach between the amount of big pebbles in rocks and its shear strength, we used image analysis. According to these results, we determined that when proportion of the big pebbles in the rocks were increasing, this caused the internal friction angle to increase but the cohession to decrease.When the stability of the small dam axis slopes planned to be built on weak sedimentary rock was assesed, it has been found that observed the safety factor of the slope was decrease during the construction of the axis.As a result of the field and laboratory studies, a small dam can be built in the area, after taking the necessary precautions.