Physical and mechani̇cal properties of the marbles in Karaisalı (Adana) region

Since the earliest ages to the present day, people have been attentive to use natural stones in buildings, habitations and the areas they utilize. Increasing standards of living and the search for ostentatious and durable materials have increased the interest in natural stones. In the study, in accordance with these needs, it is aimed to determine the physical and mechanical properties of limestone (marbles). In the study area, Paleozoic-Mesozoic aged Demirkazık Formation is mostly micrite limestone which is light gray-dark gray, medium-thick layered, fractured and filled with calcite between the cracks, included scarcely any fossil than involutina sp. and algae. Physical and mechanical properties were determined by taking 2 blocks of 30x30x40 cm size from fresh surfaces of limestones and cylindrical samples from cores of limestone. For these tests, samples were cut in appropriate sizes and in desired numbers according to TSE. For the samples, apparent density is 2.698 g/cm3, actual density is 2.72 g/cm3, clear porosity is 0.4%, total porosity is 0.8%, compactness ratio is 99.04%, water absorption by mass under atmospheric pressure is 0.1%, water absorption by volume under atmospheric pressure is 0.4%, hardness is 4 Mohs, impact strength is 16.7 MPa, uniaxial compressive strength: 104,9±11.9 MPa, lass of mass after frost: %0.019, abrasion resistance: 13.19±0.4 cm3/50 cm2, compressive strength: 198.8±11.9 MPa, sonic wave velocity : 6395±79 m/s. According to these datas, it is ascertained that the physical and mechanical properties of limestone in Karaisalı (Adana) region is convenient for the use in construction industry. Keywords: Geology, Karaisalı (Adana), marble, physical property