Investigation of rock slope stability for an abandoned limestone quarry in Konya (Turkey)

Slope stability problems were encountered in an abandoned quarry which is planned to be used as recreational area by the municipality of Selcuklu in Konya, Turkey. The rock in the quarry is primarily composed of micritic limestone which contains karstic cavities mainly controlled by joints. In order to assess the stability of the abandoned quarry, discontinuity survey, laboratory tests, kinematic and rock slope stability analyses were performed. Based on the analyses, planar and wedge failures as well as rockfall problems were identified. Possible remedial measures to be taken should consider the results of the analyses with existing project and environmental restrictions.