Construction Materials

High performance materials (Strength & Durability)

Understanding fiber-reinforced cement-based materials: The use of fiber – reinforcement in structural concrete is still limited due to lack of related standards/codes which define design methods for fiber – reinforced concrete units. Research and efforts to further understand and model the parameters affecting the material performance is continuing. Dr. Nilüfer Özyurt’s research on this topic covers comprehensive 3-D fiber alignment analysis and effects of several factors on mechanical performance such as fiber distribution, type and volume, mould dimensions, casting methods and matrix-fiber interactions.

Concrete under elevated temperatures: Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality reports occurrence of more than 10000 structural fires in Istanbul in the last year. Concrete performs well under elevated temperatures, however research represent that material properties changes and residual strength and durability of concrete may not satisfy the required conditions. Research conducted by Dr. Turan Özturan and Dr. Nilüfer Özyurt at Construction Materials Laboratory on this topic covers use of materials such as air entraining admixtures, PP fibers and refractory materials to decrease fire damage, special curing methods following fire and recovery of concrete after fire. 

Corrosion in cracked concrete: Corrosion of steel rebars is an important problem in civil engineering and mechanisms behind should be further investigated. Standards define limits for corrosion of rebars in sound concrete; however, corrosion of rebars in cracked concrete should also be considered since concrete can be cracked immediately after casting. Comprehensive tests in the Boğaziçi University Construction Materials laboratory was conducted by Dr. Turan Özturan and coworkers in the last decade and the laboratory is well equipped to carry out various corrosion related tests.

Sustainable material technologies

Recycled aggregate concrete: Use of waste materials/by products to produce new materials is very important for preservation and conservation of environment. Enhancing the properties of recycled aggregate concretes requires a good understanding of the material properties. Dr. Nilüfer Özyurt is collaborating with researchers from Özyeğin University in this research to enhance recycled aggregate properties by using biomineralization techniques for an increased resulting performance (strength and durability) of the material.

Lightweight concrete with fly ash pellets: While various industrial wastes showing pozzolanic characteristics have been used as cement replacement materials in concrete production, fly ash has also been used for producing lightweight aggregates through pelletization process for preservation and conservation of the  environment. Dr. Turan Özturan’s research group has been studying on this subject within the last decade. Cold bonded and sintered lightweight plain and fiber reinforced fly ash aggregates have been produced in the materials laboratory and have been used in making lightweight structural high performance concrete.