Geological and geotechnical characteristics of Kale-i Tavas (Tabae) ancient city (Kale-DENIZLI)

Abstract

Kale-i Tavas (Tabae) which is an ancient settlement was established on a hill. At the top of the geological units horizontally layered lacustrine limestone and under gravel, sand and clay units located. There is an angular unconformity between two geological units. Geological units are fractured. Tabae, was abandoned due to landslides and rock falls in 1954. Since the historical period, man made water retaining structures (cisterns, wells, underground openings, galleries etc.) are available to collect The effects of fractures, water, and earthquake have been investigated on the mass movements. The wells, cisterns, lithological units, and fractures that are detected in the area, were transferred to 1/2000 scale map. Denizli city and vicinity has the 1st degree earthquake risk zone. In the region, many destructive earthquakes have occurred. Rock and soil samples were taken for experimentation in the laboratory. In the dry state the density of rock samples: 23.3-24.4 kN/m(3) and uniaxial compressive strength: between 12-25 MPa; In the wet state the density of rock samples. 23.7-25.6 kN/m(3) and uniaxial compressive strength: 5-12 MPa values ranged from. Freezing of the water filled into the fractures, earthquake, increase of pore water pressure, and decreasing cohesion due to moisture etc. are major factors accelerating the mass movement In experiments conducted in silty clayey sand cohesion 16-25 kPa; friction angle varies between 18-20 degrees When all the results evaluated together; water retaining structures and fractures have accelerated occurring to the mass movements.