Investigation of the strength and durability characteristics of mortar samples by using different mineral additives

Turkey is the first concrete producer in Europe with the production of concrete approaching 120 million meters per year and the third country in the world. Concrete is one of the most important building materials and the ability of concrete to function during its service life is called durability or permanence. Durability has gained importance in addition to pressure resistance (load bearing capacity) of concrete produced in our country, especially with concrete production technologies developed in recent years. The reinforced concrete, which is used as a building element form of concrete, is a composite material which is formed as a result of coming up with the iron reinforcement of the concrete and the reinforcement gives superior properties to the concrete. The increase in the compressive strength of concrete also affects the durability like many properties of concrete. However, if a reinforced concrete element that provides sufficient pressure resistance can not be used in a short period of time if it does not have sufficient durability characteristics in terms of design, it may result in maintenance and repair costs reaching the initial production cost in the long run. For example, in the Marmara earthquake that took place in 1999, it has been observed that in many buildings destroyed due to reinforcement corrosion, almost all of the equipment was left alone. Reinforced concrete structures designed to require minimal maintenance and repair are much more economical than structures that have relatively little initial start-up but require frequent maintenance. The factors that lead to the deterioration of concrete can be of physical, mechanical and chemical origin. Examples of physical and mechanical factors include freeze-thaw, impact, abrasion, erosion and scraping. Chemical agents include alkali-aggregate reactions, reinforcement corrosion, carbonation, sulphate effect. A properly designed and impermeable concrete keeps the durability of the structure at the desired level by protecting the fixture contained therein from corrosion. However, since the concrete does not have sufficient impermeability, the corrosion of the concrete occurs due to the diffusion of harmful ions into the concrete or the alkalinity of the concrete with time. At present, reinforcement corrosion is accepted as one of the most important factors determining service life in reinforced concrete structures. In this thesis study, the effects of zeolite mineral and other industrial wastes on the compression strength and buoyancy properties of pulverized blast furnace slag (GGBS) and the use of boric acid slag alone and in combination with certain mixture ratios in the production of mortar samples will be investigated. Preparation of mortar specimens and compressive strength tests shall be carried out according to TS EN 933-1 standard. Drainage tests shall be carried out on the chloride ion permeability and carbonation resistance of the mortar samples. Chloride ion permeability tests will be performed according to ASTM C1202-12 and NT BUILD 492 standards, and carbonation resistance tests will be conducted according to EN 13295 standard. As a result of the study, the use of natural zeolite mineral in mortar specimens at certain ratios was found to have no significant negative effect on strength and buoyancy properties. It has been observed that blast furnace slag (GGBS), which is waste material of other industries, and borjips wastes are evaluated together with their durability properties, can be used in mortar specimens for production purposes at certain rates. This work will contribute to the disposal of waste materials and reduce the need for cement which causes carbon dioxide emissions in high production during the production process, since the waste materials can be used instead of cement in the production of concrete.