Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları

  • MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ1
    Optimization, high-temperature resistance, and sulfate durability of basalt powder–blended alkali-activated slag mortars

    Arslan, Furkan; Dener, Murat; Karataş, Mehmet; Benli, Ahmet

    This study investigates the feasibility of using basalt powder (BP), an industrial by-product with limited reactivity, as a partial substitute for granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) in alkali-activated systems. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted in two stages: first, a systematic optimization was performed by varying mixture parameters, including BP content, alkali dosage, activator modulus, and curing temperature to evaluate compressive strength development; second, selected binder compositions were used to produce self-compacting mortars, which were further examined for flexural strength, high-temperature resistance, and sulfate durability. The results demonstrated that moderate substitution levels (up to 20–30 % BP) could achieve satisfactory compressive strength, particularly under elevated curing temperature (60 °C) with 8 % Na2O and low to moderate modulus values. At 300 °C, mixtures with 20 % BP exhibited strength enhancement due to additional geopolymerization, demonstrating superior thermal stability compared to the control. Crucially, the incorporation of BP enhanced sulfate resistance, with the 40 % BP mixture exhibiting a slight increase in compressive strength after long-term exposure, in contrast to the marked deterioration of the GBFS-only system. Consequently, this study demonstrates that BP can be effectively utilized as a sustainable binder component, offering a practical solution for waste management while enhancing the durability of alkali-activated mortars against aggressive conditions.

    • SDG 9 · Sanayi, Yenilikçilik ve Altyapı
    • SDG 12 · Sorumlu Üretim ve Tüketim
    AtıfScopus15WoS13OpenAlex10
    ScopusWeb of Scienceİncele
  • MakaleYalnız künye2026Scopus SJRQ1
    Enhancing durability of slag-based alkali-activated composites with dunite sand and carbon fiber: Sulfate, freeze–thaw, and thermal resistance optimization

    Benli, Ahmet; Bürlükkara, Sadullah; Öz, Ali; Karataş, Mehmet; Kaplan, Gökhan

    The replacement of natural river sand with sustainable alternatives is essential to reduce environmental degradation associated with aggregate extraction. In this context, dunite sand (DS), a magnesium-rich ultramafic mineral, was investigated as an eco-efficient fine aggregate in thermally cured slag-based alkali-activated composites (AACs), in combination with carbon fiber (CF) reinforcement. The study aims to clarify how aggregate substitution and fiber addition interact to control matrix densification, crack-bridging efficiency, and durability under aggressive conditions. Sixteen mixtures incorporating varying DS (0–100%) and CF (0–1.00%) contents were prepared and cured at 80°C to promote rapid slag activation and microstructural development. Mechanical performance, high-temperature resistance, sulfate durability, and freeze–thaw behavior were systematically evaluated. The results demonstrate that moderate DS substitution (~25%) significantly improves matrix compactness and interfacial quality through a micro-filler effect, leading to enhanced strength and durability. CF effectively bridge micro cracks and improve flexural and thermal performance; however, excessive fiber contents impair workability and increase porosity due to fiber clustering. Durability results confirm that optimized DS–CF combinations reduce thermal degradation, limit sulfate-induced deterioration, and enhance resistance to cyclic freezing. Overall, 25% DS replacement combined with limited CF content (≤0.50%) provides the best balance between mechanical performance and durability. The findings highlight the importance of controlling aggregate–fiber synergy and curing strategy to develop durable, thermally stable, and sustainable alkali-activated composites for harsh service environments.

    • SDG 9 · Sanayi, Yenilikçilik ve Altyapı
    • SDG 12 · Sorumlu Üretim ve Tüketim
    • SDG 13 · İklim Eylemi
    AtıfScopus5WoS4OpenAlex4
    ScopusWeb of Scienceİncele
  • MakaleYalnız künye2025Scopus SJRQ1
    Dunite powder as a green precursor in one-part alkali-activated composites: Effects on mechanical and durability properties

    Benli, Ahmet; Bayraktar, Oğuzhan Yavuz; Karataş, Mehmet; Bodur, Burak; Yılmazoğlu, Mehmet Uğur; Kaplan, Gökhan

    Natural pozzolans are a sustainable alternative to Portland cement, offering abundant alumina and reactive silica for geopolymer production. Due to their simple extraction methods, they are cost-effective and environmentally friendly. This study explores the utilization of dunite powder (DP) as a sustainable precursor in one-part alkali-activated slag-based composites (AAC), aiming to evaluate its potential to partially replace granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS). The mechanical, fresh, and durability properties of the composites were investigated by varying DP replacement levels (0%, 15%, 30%, and 60%) under an activator dosage of sodium metasilicate, with the mixtures cured at 80 °C for 24 h and subsequently exposed to ambient conditions. The compressive and flexural strengths were evaluated at 7, 28, and 91 days, while the fresh properties (flowability and setting time), durability under sulfate attack, high-temperature resistance, freeze-thaw resistance, dry shrinkage, sorptivity and microstructural characteristics (SEM, XRD, and FT-IR) were also examined. The compressive strength decreased with higher DP content, with the 60% DP mixture showing a 43% strength reduction at 28 days compared to the reference mixture. However, the 30% DP mixture achieved a favorable balance between strength and sustainability, demonstrating a compressive strength decrease of only 11% at 91 days. The mixture containing 15% DP demonstrated the best performance under high-temperature conditions and freeze-thaw cycles. The 60% DP mixture exhibited the highest mass and strength loss when exposed to temperatures above 400 °C and a 15% compressive strength reduction after 120 days of immersion in a 10% MgSO4 solution.

    • SDG 9 · Sanayi, Yenilikçilik ve Altyapı
    • SDG 12 · Sorumlu Üretim ve Tüketim
    AtıfScopus29OpenAlex22
    ScopusWeb of Scienceİncele
  • MakaleYalnız künye2024Scopus SJRQ1
    Sustainable use of boron waste and volcanic scoria in slag-based self-compacting alkali-activated mortars: fresh, mechanical and durability properties

    Yön, Merve Şahin; Yön, Burak; Karataş, Mehmet; Benli, Ahmet

    Sustainable self-compacting alkali-activated concrete (SCAAC) manufacturing is an environmentally friendly concrete that has a reduced carbon footprint than ordinary concrete. Alkali-activated binders have been demonstrated in experiments to reduce concrete's energy consumption and carbon emissions by over 50%. This paper focuses on manufacturing boron waste (BW), volcanic scoria (VS) and ground blast furnace slag (GBFS) incorporated binary and ternary blends of self-compacting alkali-activated mortars (SCAAM). The main objective of this study is to investigate the fresh, mechanical, durability and microstructural properties of SCAAM based on binary and ternary mixtures of BW, VS, and GBFS. SCAAM samples were synthesized at 60 °C and 100 °C for 72 h then exposed to ambient cured at 3, 28 and 90 days. The compressive strength, flexural strength, physical, and sorptivity properties of the SCAAM mixtures, as well as flowability, were investigated. The performance of the produced blends at freeze-thaw exposure were also examined. SEM, and EDS was also used to examine the microstructures of the mixtures. The findings showed that 50% GBFS and 50%VS based SCAAM mixture heat cured at 100oC activated with NS/NH ratio of 3.0 produced a compressive strength of 40 MPa at 90 days. The findings indicated that inclusion of BW to the SCAAM mixtures decreased the compressive strength notably regardless of NS/NH ratio and curing temperature. Inclusion of BW also affected the durability performance negatively.

    • SDG 12 · Sorumlu Üretim ve Tüketim
    AtıfScopus38WoS36OpenAlex35
    ScopusWeb of Scienceİncele
  • MakaleAçık Erişim2022Scopus SJRQ1
    High-temperature and abrasion resistance of self-compacting mortars incorporating binary and ternary blends of silica fume and slag

    Yön, Merve Şahin; Arslan, Furkan; Karatas, Mehmet; Benli, Ahmet

    Researchers from all over the world have recently developed an interest in the utilization of waste materials in the concrete industry. Using silica fume (SF) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (S) to manufacture self-compacting mortars (SCMs) could be a step toward sustainable waste management and produce the unique fresh qualities needed for SCMs. This research evaluates the abrasion and high-temperature resistance of SF and S based SCMs. A total of 14 mixtures were designed by partially replacing SF and S with Portland cement (PC) including control, binary and ternary mixtures. Binary mixtures were obtained by replacing cement by SF and S at replacement rates of 5, 10, 15 and 20 % and 10, 20, 30 % by weight respectively. Ternary mixtures were determined at the rates of 5, 10, 15 and 20 % SF and 10 and 20 % S respectively. The flexural strength and compressive strength of SF and S based binary and ternary water curing SCMs samples were determined at the age of 7, 28 and 90 days at room conditions. SCMs specimens were exposed to high temperatures after 90-day water curing. Water absorption, apparent porosity, sorptivity and abrasion resistance of 28-day water cured SCMs samples was also determined. The fresh and rheological properties of SCMs was evaluated by conducting mini-slump flow and viscosity tests. Cost analysis of the SCMs were also performed. The experimental results exhibited that the flowability of SCMs mixes containing SF was reduced with the increasing rate of SF compared to control while the workability of S incorporated SCMs mixes increased with the increase of S in comparison to control mixtures. Late- age of compressive strength above 70 MPa was achieved for 20 % SF incorporated binary mixture and 15 %SF and 10 % S incorporated ternary mixture. The ternary mixture with 15 % SF and 10 % S also exhibited the best abrasion resistance and the lowest sorptivity. Overall, it can be concluded from the mechanical characteristics and abrasion resistance that ternary combination of S with SF content of especially above 10 % and can be used to manufacture self-compacting mortar with a smaller carbon footprint.

    • SDG 12 · Sorumlu Üretim ve Tüketim
    AtıfScopus60WoS56OpenAlex62
    ScopusWeb of Scienceİncele