Usability of composite materials prepared with expanded clay aggregates in geotechnical applications

When clay minerals are exposed to temperatures of 400 oC and above, Their chemical structure changes. This feature of clay minerals that harden at high temperatures can be used for the production of expanded clay aggregate (ECA), which is classified as light aggregate. In our country, natural aggregates are generally used due to their low cost. However, since it is one of the aggregates with high compressive strength among light aggregates, one of the aggregates used is ECAs. In this thesis study, in the laboratory environment in molds of 50×100 mm and 50×30 mm in size, different Water / Cement (W / S), Cement / Aggregate (C / A), Expanded clay aggregate / Total aggregate (ECA / TA) ratios and different sizes of ECAs. samples were prepared. Within the scope of the study, CEM I 42,5R cement and ECA produced by a private company in Bilecik were used. The samples were subjected to 7 and 28 day cures and subjected to unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test and permeability tests. As the ECA / TA ratio increased, 12-60% decrease in unconfined compressive strength and 1-61% decrease occurred in samples exposed to freeze-thaw cycles. In samples exposed to freeze-thaw cycles, strength loss was greater as the ratio of ECA increased. It was concluded that the permeability parameter generally decreases as the ECA / TA ratio increased. However, in some mixtures, the permeability parameter increased. After all; It has been determined that composite materials produced with ECA can be used in building foundations, retaining walls, stabilizing hollow rocks and caves, and building concrete roads.