Preparing the proposal for the design and construction of architectural concrete surfaces and investigation of the architectural concrete surfaces in Istanbul

Nowadays, concrete is one of the principle building materials. Concrete has various uses from construction system to building facade. This thesis concentrates on the use as building facade. The use of concrete as an uncoated form on the facade is called architectural concrete. Architectural concrete surfaces effect material substance, construction methods, and external environment conditions. Furthermore, during the design and construction phase of concrete surfaces; there may be disagreement between designer, contractor and suppliers. It is necessary to set a standardization in order to minimize the damage on the resulting architectural concrete surface and to avoid conflicts. In this thesis, firstly, literature has been researched and information about the properties of the material and the defects that can be seen on the surface have been given. Subsequently, standards written on architectural concrete surfaces were examined and similar and different aspects of these standards were compared. The proposal has been prepared in light of the standards examined. According to the evaluation criteria stated in the proposal, the buildings with architectural concrete surface in Istanbul have been examined. In the thesis, visuals and tables were given. The thesis consists of six chapters; In the first chapter, there is an introductory chapter explaining the purpose, scope and methods of study. In the second chapter, architectural concrete is defined as an uncoated concrete facade. Also, historical development and importance are given. Since the architectural concrete surfaces are obtained from concrete materials, the content of the concrete is explained. Due to the construction phase is also important for architectural concrete facades, the formwork materials and construction method is explained. Finally, the imperfections that can be seen on architectural concrete surfaces are explained. In the third chapter, the standards written for architectural concrete have been examined. These standards are listed below; • The German Standard "Sichtbeton", published by "Deutscher Beton- & Bautechnikverein e.V. (DBV)" ve "the Bundesverbandder Deutschen Zementindustriee.V. (BDZ)" • The American Standard "ACI-303R-12: Guide to Cast-in-Place Architectural Concrete Practice", published by "American Concrete Institute (ACI)" • The Australian Standard, "Guide to Off-Form Concrete Finishes", published by "Cement Concrete & Aggregates" In German standard explains that architectural concrete classes, formwork classes, contractual principles and inspection criteria. In American standard explains that architectural concrete surface properties, formwork design and construction methods, construction phases, contract phases and inspection criteria. In the Australian standard; architectural concrete design phases, construction phases, requirements to the contract and inspection criteria. In the last article of this chapter, three standards are compared as architectural concrete design, surface classes, mold properties, application steps, production of sample panels, preparation of contracts and evaluation criteria. In the fourth chapter; proposal have been prepared for the design and construction of architectural concrete surfaces based on the international standards. The proposal includes as architectural concrete design method, other formwork methods, construction phases of architectural concrete surfaces, preparation of contracts and inspection criteria. The buildings with architectural concrete surface in Istanbul were examined. The building has been photographed. Damages on the surface have been identified from these photographs. Discoloration, scaling, abrasion and Vandalism are determined on the surface. Besides, classification was made according to the blowholes in the surface and the discoloration range in the surface was determined. In the sixth chapter; results and suggestions have been written according to the researches and studies on architectural concrete surfaces. Results that; • Architectural concrete surfaces should be classified for increase the quality and to resolve disagreements. • Methods of formwork system should be developed. • Methods of construction phases should be emphasized. • All construction methods and surface treatment should be tested on the trial panels. • Between designer, constructor and suppliers must be contract to avoid the conflict about the design and construction process of architectural concrete surfaces. Trial and reference panels should be made to determine the contracts. • At the finished of work, surface inspection should be done. The data for the buildings compared. Consequently, it is also necessary to establish a standard for architectural concrete in Turkey.