The properties of the rocks used as aggregate in Diyarbakır and vicinity

In this thesis, formations which are used as aggregates in Diyarbakir province and which constitute a source for aggregate production are discussed. The physical, mineralogical, petrographic and chemical properties of the samples taken from 40 different locations, including quarry and crusher samples, were investigated. Different rocks from almost all geologic ages, ranging from the Silurian Devonian to the Quaternary, are exposed in Diyarbakir and its vicinity. This rock variety consisting different ore formations, can be regarded as an industrial raw material used in cement and marble industry As it is known, aggregates are considered in two groups as naturally occurring aggregates and aggregates formed by crushing and grinding. Natural aggregates are composed of sediments ranging from silt-sized to large blocks carried on the edges of rivers and streams. Since these sediments are accumulated from different areas, they are usually in the form of a compacted mixture of abrasion-resistant silica. This aggregate type, which is distinguished as the current alluvium and the old terraces, is exposed in the streams of Dicle River Valley and in such different branches of the Dicle River as Batman Creek and other streams. The formations used as agregated and form the source of aggregate production are investigated. Up to recent years, the aggregates were obtained by sizing from the alluviums in the stream beds and occasionally passing through a small amount of crushing; however, as a result of some measures taken by the state for the protection of stream beds, the aggregates are now being obtained by using crushers. İn order to do this, relatively compacted limestones and basalt which are not dissolved and pulverized in the crushers during the crushing process are used. Their usability as an aggregate has been determined by the tests performed on the rocks collected from the geological units. As a result, the most suitable geological units for aggregate production by crushing-screening in Diyarbakir region are determined as Karacadag basalts and Lower Miocene Euphrates Formation limestones. The samples taken from other geological units were subjected to different tests in the laboratory and their suitability for aggregate production was examined. Limestone, basalt and stream material samples taken from Fırat formation and other units were evaluated in different laboratories by examining their physical, mineralological, petrographic and chemical properties in accordance with TSE Standards. For this reason of the investigations, the suitability of the analyzed samples as aggregate and concrete aggregate was compared with the specifications according to the area of use. Basalts defined as Karacadağ volcanics, sand and pebbles as stream material, Fırat formation consisting of massive and hard rocks are the best units in terms of aggregate and concrete although they vary from location to location. It was concluded that all the quarries opened in terms of aggregate were opened within these units, and Hoya Formation and Selmo Formation, which has a high chalk content, were not preferred much due to their lithological properties. KeyWords: Aggregate, The potantiel aggregate of Diyarbaklır, The properties of aggregate, Aggregate composition,