Vol.24, No.2, 2024, pp. 209–216
https://doi.org/10.69644/ivk-2024-02-0209

The Borač-Kotlenik magmatic massif in central Serbia is mainly made up of effusive and pyroclastic rocks, formed in three main phases of volcanic activity: 1. dacite and andesite, 2. quartz-latite and dacite, and 3. basaltoid rocks.

Rock mass samples from this magmatic massif have been examined and mined in numerous localities during the XX century for purposes of building and reconstruction works of local and regional road networks. The examination process continues today for purposes of ‘Morava corridor’ highway building and its demand for the local stone material of the specified quality.

The results of rock mass technical properties' tests have shown that its quality for road building purposes depends significantly on petrologic type, soundness, and hydrothermal alteration type. Oxidation alteration types can cause a significant decrease in compressive strength, an increase in porosity and water absorption, especially as oxidation chemical processes cause increased susceptibility to weathering, thus making the rock mass unusable in road construction profile layers above the embankment.

Testing results demonstrate that effusive volcanic rocks of the Borač-Kotlenik magmatic massif generally can be used in the road building process. For this purpose, it is necessary to select the conformable rock mass zones at each locality, where hydrothermal alteration and weathering products are absent in order to obtain the best available stone material of volcanic origin.  

Keywords: Morava corridor, Borač-Kotlenik magmatic massif, volcanic stone materials