Quantification of weathering depths in slightly weathered tuffs

Abstract

Slightly weathered white and pink tuffs of Midas monument have deterioration problems. In this study, depths of the weathering zones developed in the tuffs are investigated through optical microscopy, XRD, chemical analyses, SEM and some index parameters. By examining quantitative weathering indices and comparing them with thin section studies, it is found that thin section analyses of the phenocrysts, LoI and WPI are good indicators to quantify the depth of weathering for the tuffs. However, thin section studies have limited value for fine-grained tuffaceous matrix. The chemical weathering of the tuffs produces weathered zones that are 4.5 cm thick within the white tuff and 2.5 cm thick within the pink tuff. Physical weathering causes fracturing of feldspars along their cleavage planes. Variations of the index properties of the tuffs caused by weathering are not significant enough to quantify the weathering depths in the tuffs.

A quantitative weathering classification system for yellow travertines

“…After these surveys, a number of weathering classifications were proposed for various rock types (Moye 1955; Ruxton and Berry 1957;Chandler 1969;Fookes et al 1972;Dearman 1974;Irfan and Dearman 1978;ISRM 1978;ISRM 1981;Singh and Gahrooee 1989;Kılıç 1995;Price 1995;Topal 1995;Tugrul and Gürpınar 1997;ANON 1995;Kılıç 1999;Topal 2002;Arıkan et al 2007). The weathering grades were generally classified qualitatively in the former classification systems, whereas more quantitative descriptions were assigned to different weathering degrees in the latest versions of most classifications.…”

New weathering indices for evaluating durability and weathering characterization of crystalline rock material: A case study from NE Turkey

“…During the chemical weathering process, some alkaline and alkali-earth 58 elements are easily leached from rocks and the residue reconstituted with components from 59 the atmosphere form new minerals that are in a stable or metastable equilibrium with the 60 environment (Loughnan 1969). For this, in can be said that "Chemical weathering process 61 including leaching and forming weathering product is one of the vital processes in the (Voicu et al 1997) and for assessing the deterioration 87 mechanisms of monuments (Topal, 2002). Recently, weathering indices have been used as a 88 palaeo-climatic indicators and for palaeo-environmental implications (e.g., Yang et al 2004;89 Gallagher and Sheldon 2013) and for characterising alterations associated with neotectonic 90 delineations and the subsequent implications for provenance studies (Young 2002; Osae et al 91 2006).…”

Physical Characterization, Microstructural Evaluation, and Condition Assessment of Ancient Ahlat Tombstones in the Seljukian Cemetery of Ahlat (Turkey)

“…In another relevant work concerning the Ahlat region (Okuyucu and Erdil 2009), the seismic performance evaluation of the Emir Bayındır Cupola (built using reddish-brown colored ignimbrite stones from the region and located close to the Ahlat Cemetery) was investigated and some relevant data was provided on the stone's material properties, deterioration, and cracking. There are additional relevant studies concerning weathered tuffs and the deterioration of different materials, including ignimbrites, from different regions of Central Anatolia (Korkanç 2013; Topal and Doyuran 1998;Topal 2002;Topal and Sözmen 2003).…”