The integrity loss of physicomechanical properties of building stones when subjected to recurrent cycles of freeze-thaw (F-T) process

In this study, a total of nearly 900 samples were obtained from 7 different rock types, also recognised as marbles of sedimentary and metamorphic origin and commercially used in the building of various monuments, art works as well as the interior/exterior covering of the structures. In order to determine the physical and mechanical properties of these rocks at the end of freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles, experiments were conducted on a set of nearly 130 samples prepared in different sizes for each rock type. The samples from each rock type were subjected to a routine of recurrent F-T cycles with an increment of 10 cycles for each routine, amounting to a total of 60 cycles (6 routines). Prior to the F-T cycles and at the end of each routine of 10 cycles up to 60 cycles, the physical rock properties (unit volume weight, apparent porosity, P-wave velocity and Shore hardness) and the mechanical rock properties (Brazilian tensile strength, point load index, block punch index and bending strength) were determined up to 50 cycles and then the values of test results were evaluated graphically. Moreover, the results of this study were associated with the Decay Function Model (DFM), introduced by Mutluffirk et al.(1), in order to determine the integrity loss and half-life of the 7 different rock types tested. Besides, it was investigated whether the DFM can be validly used to determine the half-life of the rocks based on their physical properties

Surface runoff and carbonates-based definition of protection zones for Egirdir Lake in western Turkey

Freshwater of Isparta and Egirdir is supplied from the Egirdir Lake, which is the second largest freshwater lake of the Lakes District in Western Turkey. The Egirdir Lake has been studied within the framework of the Basin Protection Plan Special Provisions of the Egirdir Lake. The impact of runoff is taken into account in determining protection zones of the surface water reservoirs in Turkey. An approach that emphasizes the impact of groundwater flow in addition to the surface runoff has been adopted in this study. Water in Lake Egirdir is often classified as the Class II water according to terrestrial water resources quality criteria in Water Pollution Control Regulation of Turkey. The geological and hydrogeological studies reveal a significant amount of groundwater recharge into the Egirdir Lake through carbonate rocks and alluvial deposits outcropping in the basin, which is why Egirdir Lake still has a less contaminated water quality in spite of heavy pollutants. For this purpose, groundwater flow is prominently used in defining protection zones and surface runoff as well. The inner protection zone, which is defined as the 50-day travel time, and the outer protection zone, defined as the 400-day travel time, were estimated by infiltrometer and pumping tests in alluvium. Pumping tests results were used for the determination of hydraulic conductivities and groundwater levels for the determination of hydraulic gradients. Protection zones in karstic areas are based on the vulnerability map and large karstic springs