Economic geology of pumice and perlite mines in the Van Lake basin

Products produced using pumice and perlite have started to be frequently used in the construction sector as construction elements. Because of the pumice and pearlite are light, porous and contain high silica; They provide load and energy saving in reinforced concrete structures. This thesis studies identification of physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics of pumice and perlite and usability as aggregate in foam concrete using foam agent. In the first part of the study, XRD and thin section analyses of pumice and perlite samples taken from Lake Van Basin north-northwest-southwest direction were made to identify mineralogies of these minerals. Afterwards, geochemical analyses were made to examine from what type of material pumice and perlite have derived and their chemical components. In the second part of the study, foam concrete was produced using pumice and expanded perlite. To determine usability of foam concretes obtained in the construction sector, uniaxial compression, freeze-thaw and heat conductivity tests were conducted on the foam concrete samples. Furthermore, certain amounts of pumice were used in place of cement to identify compression resistance and reactions to freze and thaw of foam concretes obtained this way. It was found out that, pumice smaller than 90 microns when changed with cement up to 30%, has relatively better compression resistance and is more resistant against freeze and thaw. With the use of pumice and perlite as aggregate in foam concrete 3.1 Mpa value was reached in 728 kg/m3. In perlite aggregate foam concretes, on the other hand, 0,078 W/k heat insulation value has been reached in 273 kg/m3.