Some Rock Mass, Chemical, Physical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Mardin Limestone, Turkey

Abstract

The Mardin limestones have been one of the most widely used building materials in the city of Mardin of Turkey from antiquity to current day. These historical structures are listed within the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s World Heritage Tentative List. Despite the widespread use of this limestone, the physical and mechanical parameters had not been investigated in detail. In this study, some rock mass, chemical, thermal, physical, and mechanical properties of Mardin limestone were investigated. Although the physical properties are not satisfactory, strength properties satisfy the international usage standards. Therefore, it can be claimed that Mardin limestone has great industrial potential as construction and covering stone in arid and hot climatic regions.