In this study, a method has been developed to reduce the negative effects of superabsorbent polymers on concrete mechanical properties. The method involves concrete mixing and curing, with the concrete mixture being designed using a decision tree algorithm. Instead of the standard water curing approach, air curing conditions were used during the curing process. In addition, heat treatment was applied to reduce any possible negative effects of the polymers on the concrete's mechanical properties and to enhance their performance. The details of all these stages are presented in this method. Various experimental studies were conducted to demonstrate the validity of this method, which proved to be effective in reducing the negative effects of superabsorbent polymers on concrete mechanical properties.

Günümüzde süper emici polimerlerin kullanım alanları gittikçe yaygınlaşmaktadır. Bu polimerlerin beton karışımı içerisindeki davranışları ve betonun mekanik özellikleri üzerindeki etkisi araştırılmaktadır. Bununla birlikte, süper emici polimerlerin harç ve çimento pastası fazları üzerindeki etkileri de önemli bir araştırma konusudur. Bu makale kapsamında, süper emici polimer katkılı harçların farklı kür şartları altındaki mekanik davranışları deneysel olarak incelenmiştir. Deneylerde, 18 adet süper emici polimer katkılı ve 3 adet katkısız harç fazında 15x15x15 cm boyutlu küp numuneler üretilmiştir. Süper emici polimer katkılı harçlarda, polimer katkı oranı literatürden optimum %0,3 olarak belirlenmiştir. Deney numuneleri süper emici polimer katkılı, ısıl işlem uygulanmadan 3-5-10 gün hava küründe ve 1 gün ısıl işlem uygulaması ardından 2-4-9 gün hava kürü koşullarına göre sınıflandırılmıştır. Her bir deney numunesi için eksenel basınç dayanımı testi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Deneysel sonuçlardan, numunelerin gerilme-şekil değiştirme eğrileri elde edilmiştir. Bu eğrilerin karşılaştırılması neticesinde, süper emici polimer katkılı harçların mekanik performansında (eksenel basınç dayanımı, elastisite modülü ve enerji tüketme kapasitesi) en efektif ısıl işlem ve hava kürü kombinasyonu belirlenmiştir. Çalışmamız ile, süper emici polimer katkılı beton, bu betondan üretilmiş yapı taşıyıcı sistem elemanı (kolon, kiriş, perde, döşeme, vb.) davranışları ve süper emici polimer katkılı betonun teorik olarak modellenmesi bilimsel araştırmalarına katkı sunulması hedeflenmiştir.

Unlike flammable organic insulation, non-combustible inorganic materials offer superior fire safety despite higher thermal conductivity. Recent research focuses on developing innovative, sustainable inorganic solutions using natural and waste-based raw materials. Accordingly, in this study, a thermal insulation material (TIM) design is presented for sustainable buildings. Specifically, white cement, fine and powdered pumice, hydraulic lime were formulated using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Box–Behnken approach. A total of 46 mixtures were produced and cured under ambient conditions for 28 days before undergoing mechanical and physical testing in the experimental phase. ANOVA-validated quadratic models show all mixtures have low densities below 1.2 g/cm³ and porosities of 35.52–39.62%. Optimal Run 23 achieves 11.55 MPa compressive strength, 2.53 MPa bending strength, and 0.25 W/m⋅K thermal conductivity. In addition, 3D-printed modular walls exhibit ductile behavior and maintain structural integrity up to 600 °C. Furthermore, a supplementary assessment of the optimal mixture modified with recycled concrete waste (Run-23+) demonstrated the viability of waste-aggregate integration for improved circular-economy performance. Microstructural analyses via XRD and SEM confirmed the dense formation of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) networks and active pozzolanic reactions. Consequently, the present study demonstrates an advanced composite that combines low density with structural capacity, establishing a novel load-bearing thermal insulation material (LB-TIM). Moreover, by integrating this optimized LB-TIM mixture with custom designed 3D printed formwork technology, this study provides a novel and scalable manufacturing approach for sustainable, thermal-insulated and load-bearing material and modular infill wall elements.

Masonry structures, frequently encountered both in traditional architecture and in historical buildings, occupy a significant place among structural system types. In these systems, the load-bearing elements typically consist of walls made of materials such as brick and stone. Performance evaluation of masonry structures requires more refined modeling processes due to their brittle behavior under seismic effects and their irregular geometric characteristics. In particular, historical masonry buildings require accurate analysis. The analysis critically depends on the precise identification of the actual geometry, material properties, and structural deficiencies. Within the scope of the study, the effectiveness of combining laser scanning technology with Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the structural analysis and condition assessment of masonry structures was investigated through a case study. Laser scanning point cloud data were processed and transferred into a digital environment. Subsequently, BIM-based software was employed to generate a three-dimensional model using the point cloud data of a historic structure located in Cappadocia, Türkiye. Then, the model was transformed into a finite element model for structural analysis. The finite element model was employed for modal characterization and preliminary structural assessment under self-weight. Throughout the process, axis controls of the walls, misalignments, irregularities, structural discontinuities, and possible structure damage were evaluated digitally to identify potentially vulnerable zones. This study applies the existing Scan-to-BIM-to-Finite Element workflow to complex historical masonry, providing a reliable and practical roadmap for geometric documentation and preliminary structural assessment of the building stock.

With the increasing global population, various industrial demands have emerged. In response to these needs, construction and shelter have become fundamental aspects of human life, leading to rapid growth in the construction sector. However, the accelerated depletion of natural resources commonly used in industry poses a significant challenge to sustainability. The use of conventional building materials results in excessive consumption of natural resources and generates waste that can lead to irreversible environmental problems. This situation necessitates the investigation of new and sustainable alternatives to minimize the environmental impact of human activities. As a natural consequence of expanding industries driven by technological advancement, the volume of industrial waste is growing rapidly. The wastes must be either stored, disposed of, or reused. Considering the environmental damage associated with storage and disposal, the most appropriate solution is reuse, which contributes to sustainability by transforming waste into secondary raw materials. In this study, a combination of waste tires, marble waste, and bottom ash was utilized alongside pumice, a natural and lightweight aggregate. To facilitate the geopolymerization process, sodium hydroxide was employed in the preparation of the alkaline activating solution. The resulting geopolymer-based construction material was then evaluated for its potential application in reinforced concrete structural system. Stress-strain relationship of the sustainable geopolymer mixture, primarily derived from waste tires, were experimentally determined. Furthermore, the analytical performance of masonry units manufactured from this mixture was evaluated in infill wall-frame systems.