Investigation of the effects of barite-containing waste materials on geopolymer mortars

The main purpose of this thesis is to develop environmentally friendly geopolymer materials that can be used as an alternative to Portland cement and to reduce carbon emissions that cause global warming and climate change. Traditional Portland cement production causes large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide and causes serious damage to the environment. This situation necessitates the search for alternative and more sustainable binding materials. Geopolymers are materials obtained by reacting pozzolanic materials containing silicon and aluminum oxide with alkali activators. This study aims to evaluate the waste material that can be used instead of cement in geopolymer mortar production: Blast Furnace Slag (BFS). The use of this waste material aims to both eliminate environmental waste and reduce carbon emissions originating from cement production. Another purpose of the study is to investigate the potential of using waste barite with high clay content obtained from Başer Mining facilities located in Şarkikaraağaç district of Isparta after the barite enrichment process in geopolymer production. As a result of the barite enrichment process, approximately 30,000 tons of waste is generated annually and the storage of these wastes constitutes an environmental problem. The usability of waste barite in the production of geopolymer mortar by combining it with Blast Furnace Slag and the evaluation of the physical and mechanical properties of these mortars will be determined as the main research subject of the study. Within the scope of the study, geopolymer mortars will be produced using blast furnace slag and waste barite in the mixture prepared using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃) solutions. Geopolymer mortar samples will be cured in an oven at 80°C and stored in a laboratory environment for 28 days. Various physical and mechanical tests such as: Compressive strength, Bending strength, Spreading table, Unit volume weight, Apparent density, Apparent porosity, Water absorption capacity, Radiation absorption, Ultrasound transmission rate and High temperature resistance will be performed on the produced samples. This thesis aims to optimize sustainable geopolymer concrete production processes with waste barite and Blast Furnace Slag by examining the reuse potential of waste materials in the construction industry. Thus, it will be aimed to make an innovative contribution to the reuse of environmental waste and reduction of carbon footprint.