Investigation of Relations between P and S Wave Velocities and Some Physical and Uniaxial Compressive Strength Properties in Denizli Travertines

The Denizli basin is one of the most familiar basins in the world where large travertine deposits are existed. The travertine exhibits various structural properties such as porosity, layer, hardness depending on sedimentation conditions. This causes the travertine to have physical and mechanical properties varying in wide range. As a natural building stone, Denizli travertines are exported to various regions of the world and became an important market both in Turkey and abroad. In this study, the apparent porosity (na), dry and saturated unit volume weight (gk, gd) and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) values of 56 cores taken from the travertine blocks obtained from the Kakl？k region were determined and these results were compared to longitudinal compressional wave velocity (Vp) and shear wave velocity (Vs) values. Measured Vp and Vs wave velocity values were increased with increasing gk, gd values whereas Vp and Vs wave velocities were linearly decreased with increasing na values. UCS values increased exponentially with increasing gk values and decreased exponentially with the increase of na values. Vp and Vs wave velocities exponentially increased with increasing UCS values. Shear modulus, poisson ratio and modulus of elasticity values were also calculated empirically by measured Vp and Vs values