The stratigraphy of Yavuzeli-Araban area (Gaziantep) and investigation of the status of Firat formation reefal limestones as natural building materials

In this study, the stratigraphy of the region between Yavuzeli - Araban Area (Gaziantep) and the usability of Fırat Formation Reef limestone that outcrop in this region as natural building materials have been investigated. The stratigraphy of the region has been introduced. As the basic unit Oligocene-Miocene aged Fırat Formation deposited during Tertiary period, Selmo Formation that Miocene aged, made of sandstone that deposited by lakes and streams, marl, shale is located as discordant on this unit. The Yavuzeli Basalt is located as discordant on Selmo Formation. The uppermost unit the Quaternary alluvial and slope rash are located.Within the scope of the study area a 1 / 25000 scaled geological map has prepared and engineering features of limestone have been investigated by some experiments on the samples taken from the Fırat Formation Stones. According to the results of the experiments made for the purpose of determining petrographic, chemical, physical and mechanical properties, usability of the Fırat Formation limestone as a building material have been evaluated.Key Words: Fırat Formation, Geology of Gaziantep, Natural Construction Materials, Yavuzeli, Araban.