BULLETIN OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, vol.67, no.3, pp.353-366, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate statistical models for predicting the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and average Young's modulus (E-av) for caliches, using some index and physical properties. The caliche samples, from Adana, southern Turkey, were of low strength and difficult to sample. X-ray diffraction and microscopy were undertaken and the following physical parameters established: unit weight, apparent porosity, Schmidt rebound number, Shore hardness, P-wave velocity, slake durability, point load, uniaxial compressive strength and average Young's modulus. Simple and linear regression variable selection analyses were performed. The best relationships were obtained for UCS with P-wave velocity and unit weight and for average Young's modulus with P-wave velocity, porosity and slake durability. Empirical equations are proposed, although it is emphasised that these may only be applicable for caliche of a similar geological character.