Estimation of Uniaxial Compressive Strengths of Cappadocia Pyroclastic Rocks After Freeze-Thaw Cycles Using Point Load Strength Index

Abstract

In this study, the change in the strength value of 11 pyroclastic rocks from the Cappadocia region, where pyroclastic rocks are commonly found, using the freeze-thaw (F-T) test was investigated after applying 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 F-T cycles. The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the samples after applying the F-T cycle was estimated using the point load test (PLT) values. With the developed empirical relationship, it was identified that the PLT values predicted UCS with a high correlation coefficient of 0.8663.