Weathering has an enormous influence on geotechnical properties of loose non cemented rocks. Unfortunately, no classification is existing for the weathering of non cemented soft rocks like it is available for hard rocks. The thesis presented here describes the processes of dissolution, disintegration and cementation within coarse grained Pleistocene glaciofluvial sediments step by step. Because of the high content of carbonate clasts within the meltwater gravel (up to 80 % of carbonate pebbles) several phenomena are common, disintegration and “ashing” of dolomite grains and decalcification leading to an increase of the silt and clay content. Due to these processes a non-cohesive soil slowly turns into a cohesive soil. It is possible that percolating water relocates (suffosion) and redeposits this clayey and silty material which causes a sealing of pores (colmation). Another phenomenon caused by dissolution of carbonates near the ground surface is the subsequent precipitation of carbonate along the grain contacts of sediment layers deeper within the gravel body, resulting in a selective or extensive cementation of the grains. In this way, a non-cemented loose gravel transforms into a solid conglomerate. On the base of these investigations for the first time a classification for weathered non cemented coarse grained soft rocks is presented here.    «

Weathering has an enormous influence on geotechnical properties of loose non cemented rocks. Unfortunately, no classification is existing for the weathering of non cemented soft rocks like it is available for hard rocks. The thesis presented here describes the processes of dissolution, disintegration and cementation within coarse grained Pleistocene glaciofluvial sediments step by step. Because of the high content of carbonate clasts within the meltwater gravel (up to 80 % of carbonate pebbles)...    »