16th International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference (SGEM 2016), Albena, Bulgaria, 30 June - 06 July 2016, pp.317-324
The right site selection for a linear engineering project like motorway or pipeline depends on geological, engineering geological and geotechnical properties of the region. The detailed investigation of them will reduce the cost and also extend the economic life of the projects. The motorway which has 140 km length among Tekir-Tarsus and Mersin is one of the examples. The study area is located at the northwest of Adana with 24 km between Km 36+000 - 60+000 of Pozanti -Tarsus - Mersin motorway. There is an active fault zone which is called Ecemis in the area. The motorway has been extended parallel to this active fault, occasionally. The fault zone is characterized by numerous huge landslides with several billions of cubic meters. The water-discontinuity-clay trinity (WDC) is well developed in this trough and plays a significant role in the formation of these landslides. Additionally, the zone includes fertile valleys and is highly rich in terms of flora and fauna. So, any engineering project causes a lot of geotechnical and environmental problems. In this study, three route alternatives have been investigated to minimize these problems and also the cost of the project. The study showed that it is possible to construct an engineering structure without damaging the nature with low cost "if we can understand the language of the nature".