Review on the possibilty of the use of Sorgun (Yozgat) basalts as building stone

Basalts are of volcanic origin rock group which is common in nature. Basalt rocks, which are widely distributed in our country, are used for various purposes. The physical and mechanical properties of the basalts according to the construction sites to be used must provide certain limit values. The study area is located to the west of Sorgun District of Yozgat Province in the Central Anatolia Region. The Eocene basalts, which form the Alimpınar formation in the study area, show black to dark gray color. Since the terrestrial climate prevails in and around the study area, the materials used as building blocks remain under the influence of freeze-thaw. Therefore, the physical and mechanical properties of the rocks, which were initially within the appropriate limits, may go beyond these limits at the end of this process. In this thesis, physical and engineering properties of Eocene basalts around Sorgun have been investigated. As a result of the mineralogical studies, it has been understood that basalts mostly have afanitic texture and the minerals are plagioclase, olivine and pyroxene minerals. The dry density, water absorption, porosity, Los Angeles abrasion values and the free compressive strength values of the basalts are within acceptable limits. Following researches indicate that Eocene basalt deposits corresponding desired treshold values, are suitable for substructure and superstructure projects and they are convenient to use in projects. Some samples had high porosity. Increased porosity will cause basalts to be more affected by physical effects, such as freeze-thaw, which affect the area, especially when used in structures that will contact water. In this case, it will accelerate the decomposition and weakening of the existing basalt material.