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Effect of salt crystallization on weathering of pyroclastic rocks from Cappadocia, Turkey

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Abstract

Salt crystallization is the most significant factor in the degradation of the natural stones used in cultural and historical structures. Stones decay partially or fully as a result of this exposure. This study is the investigation of the degradation of historical monuments (underground cities and semi-underground settlements) carved in pyroclastic rocks in Cappadocian Region which takes part in World Cultural Heritage List. Samples of pyroclastic rocks were collected from six different quarries in Cappadocia, Turkey. To understand the contribution of salt crystallization to this weathering, dry weight loss (DWL) tests were performed on these samples. To investigate the correlations between salt crystallization and other rock properties, porosity, water absorption, ultrasonic velocity, uniaxial compressive strength, Brazilian tensile strength, and point load index were also measured. During the SC process of weathering, the results showed that porosity and water absorption increased for all the samples whereas ultrasonic velocity, uniaxial compressive strength, tensile strength, and point load index values decreased. Evaluation of the data obtained from these tests showed very high logarithmic correlations between the dry weight loss values and the mechanical properties.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to the reviewers for their valuable comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining Engineering, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey

    Hakan Özşen

  2. Department of Geology Engineering, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey

    Ali Bozdağ & İsmail İnce

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  1. Hakan Özşen
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  2. Ali Bozdağ
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  3. İsmail İnce
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Correspondence to Hakan Özşen.

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Özşen, H., Bozdağ, A. & İnce, İ. Effect of salt crystallization on weathering of pyroclastic rocks from Cappadocia, Turkey. Arab J Geosci 10, 258 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3027-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3027-8

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