Investigation of geological and geotechnical properties of hydroelectric power plant area in Çaydeğirmeni (Devrek-Zonguldak)

This study covers the engineering geology phases of proposed Caydegirmeni Project, which consists of regulator, water intake and power plant construction sites. This study was carried out to reveal geological and geotechnical properties of rock and soil strata underneath foundations of the structures and to determine the possible problems and to make appropriate recommendations. In order to reveal the characteristics of the units in the study area, firstly 1:100.000 and 1:25.000 scaled the geological maps and geological cross sections of the study area and its environs were drawn. Within the scope of Caydegirmeni Project, a total of 126 meters of drillings were performed at 6 different boreholes. In the bore holes, 22 permeability, 8 Lugeon and 22 pressuremeter tests were performed at various rock and soil layers (depths). As a result of the drillings and in-situ tests, the distribution of the units in the horizontal and vertical directions and their geotechnical properties were determined. Laboratory experiments (water content, liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index, clay type and quantity with XRD, uniaxial swelling pressure test) were performed on samples collected from the field. In addition, by using the obtained results, numerical stress analyzes were made by using Phase 2 software and vertical total displacements of the structure were determined. Thus, the characteristics of the building site such as bearing capacity, maximum total settlement, swelling potential, permeability and stability were revealed and some suggestions were made to improve the carrying capacity of the ground.