Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Estimation of bearing capacity of basalts at the Atasu dam site, Turkey

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes the results of the engineering geological investigations and bearing capacity studies carried out at the proposed site of the rock fill Atasu Dam, to be constructed on basalts and pyroclastics. Rock mass strength and modulus of elasticity of the rock mass were determined using the Hoek–Brown empirical strength criterion. Rock mass classifications for the dam rock foundation were undertaken following the RMR, Q and GSI systems and the stress distributions using the finite element technique. To estimate the bearing capacity of the basalts, different empirical equations were used and compared.

Résumé

L’article décrit les résultats des investigations de géologie de l’ingénieur et des études de capacité portante réalisées sur le site du barrage d’Atasu, barrage en enrochements fondé sur des basaltes et des roches pyroclastiques. Les modules d’élasticité et la résistance de la masse rocheuse ont été évalués à partir des critères de Hoek et Brown. L’utilisation des indices RMR, Q et GSI a permis de préciser la classe du massif rocheux, la technique des éléments finis permettant de définir la distribution des contraintes induites dans le terrain. Afin d’évaluer la capacité portante des basaltes, différentes équations empiriques ont été utilisées et comparées.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alemdag S (2004) The alteration degree of the basalts at the axis site and the possibility of axis site of Atasu (Trabzon) dam, Master thesis, Fırat University, Turkey

  • ANSYS (1997) Theory manual revision 5.4, vol V, DN-R300

  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) (1980) Annual book of ASTM standards: natural building stones; soil and rock. Part 19

  • Barton N (2002) Some new Q-value correlations to assist in site characterization and tunnel design. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 39(1):185–216

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton N, Choubey V (1977) The shear strength of rock and rock joints. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 13:255–279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton NR, Lien R, Lunde J (1974) Engineering classification of rock masses for the design of tunnel support. Rock Mech 4:189–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bieniawski ZT (1974) Geomechanics classification of rock masses and its application in tunneling. In: Proceedings of the third international congress on rock mechanics, International Society of Rock Mechanics, Denver, vol 11A, pp 27–32

  • Bieniawski ZT (1989) Engineering rock mass classifications. Wiley, New York 251 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Deere DU (1964) Technical description of rock cores for engineering purposes. Rock Mech Rock Eng 1:17–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Diederichs MS, Hoek E (1989) DIPS 3.01. Advanced version computer programme, Rock Engineering Group, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto

  • Goel RK, Jethwa JL, Paithankar AG (1995) Indian experiences with Q and RMR systems. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 10(1):97–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gokceoglu C (1997) Killi, yoğun süreksizlik içeren ve zayıf kaya kütlelerinin mühendislik sınıflamalarında karşılaşılan güçlüklerin giderilmesine yönelik yaklaşımlar. Ph.D. thesis, Hacettepe University, Turkey

  • Guven IH (1993) Geology of Eastern Pontids and 1/250000 scaled mapping. MTA

  • Hoek E, Carina-Torres C, Corkum B (2002) Hoek–Brown failure criterion-2002 edition. In: Proceedings of the 5th North American Rock Mechanics Symposium, Toronto, Canada, vol 1, pp 267–273

  • Hoek E, Brown ET (1997) Practical estimates of rock mass strength. Int J Rock Mech Mining Sci 34(8):1165–1186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Kaiser PK, Bawden WF (1995) Support of underground excavations in hard rock Balkema, Rotterdam, 215 pp

  • International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) (1981) Rock characterization, testing and monitoring. In: Brown ET (ed) ISRM suggested methods. Permagon press, New York, 211 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Kulhawy FH, Carter JP (1992) Settlement and bearing capacity of foundations on rock masses and socketed foundations in rock masses. In: Bell FG (ed) Engineering in rock masses. Butterworth–Heinemann, Oxford, pp 231–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Marinos P, Hoek E (2001) Estimating the geotechnical properties of heterogeneous rock masses such as flysch. Bull Eng Geol Environ 60:85–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merifield RS, Lyamin AV, Sloan SW (2006) Limit analysis solutions for the bearing capacity of rock masses using the generalized Hoek–Brown criterion. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 43:920–937

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serrano A, Olalla C (1994) Ultimate bearing capacity of rock masses. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 31(2):93–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • State Water Works (DSl) (1991) Trabzon içme suyu projesi Atasu Barajı ve HES Mühendislik Jeolojisi Planlama Raporu. DSİ XXII. Bölge Müdürlüğü, 30

  • Wyllie DC (1992) Foundations on rock. Chapman and Hall, London

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering, Geological Engineering Department, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey

    Selcuk Alemdag & Zulfu Gurocak

  2. College of Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA

    Pranshoo Solanki & Musharraf Zaman

Authors
  1. Selcuk Alemdag
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zulfu Gurocak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Pranshoo Solanki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Musharraf Zaman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zulfu Gurocak.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Alemdag, S., Gurocak, Z., Solanki, P. et al. Estimation of bearing capacity of basalts at the Atasu dam site, Turkey. Bull Eng Geol Environ 67, 79–85 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-007-0112-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-007-0112-3

Keywords

Mots clés

Search

Navigation