Engineering Properties of Natural Structural Materials of Orhanlar (Kütahya- Turkey) Dam and Body Type Selection

Agricultural and rural projects become important depending upon the rapidly increasing world population. In spite of arable land existence in Turkey, agricultural activities are not economic due to the lack of irrigation. Contribution to agricultural economy of the small dams constructed for agricultural irrigation is considerably crucial. In some cases, Natural Structural Materials (NSM) utilized in small dams planned for irrigation purpose are taken from arable lands and usable agricultural areas are destroyed. For this reason, optimisation of NSM planned to use in these types small dams is very important with regard to the economic, agricultural and construction stage convenience. This study includes engineering parameters analysis of NSM necessary for Kütahya, Pazarlar, Orhanlar Small Dam and decision of bod type selection. In this study, engineering approach the optimisation processes of the dams which requires big amount of NSM is explained. Within the context of this study, desk, field and laboratory works have been performed. The representative samples handled from field are tested in the laboratory and usability of the NSM area is determined. Accordingly, dam body type is optimized regarding to distance, quantity and quality of NSM.