The weathering characteristics of Ankara andesites from the rock mechanics point of view

The weathering characteristics of Ankara andesites and their importance from the rock mechanics point of view are studied. First, a review of processes involved with the weathering of rocks is presented together with the engineering implications and available methods of describing and classifying the products for engineering purposes. The latest universal weathering grade rock mass classifying system developed by Dearman and his friends is used for the field studies of the research. A detailed investigation on the physico-mechanical properties of the weathered Ankara andesites is carried out in the laboratory and their relations with each other are studied. Mohr envelopes have been established for each weathering grade of different andesite types. The general trend of Mohr envelopes for weathered ande-sitic rock shows that Mohr envelope lines can be drawn to represent the each weathering grade. There is systematic decrease in the values of material constants with the degree of weathering.