Marble Powder and Non-sinkable 'Concrete' Made of Ash
An environmentally friendly, lightweight, heat and water-resistant concrete block was produced from marble dust and burnt coal ash...
Marble Powder and Non-sinkable 'Concrete' Made of Ash
Scientists from Afyon Kocatepe University (AKU) produced heat and water-resistant material from marble dust and coal ash that can be used as block concrete in the construction industry.
Head of the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, at AKU Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir headed the 5-person team, with support provided by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), started working to patent the material they produced and to begin mass production.
No Freezing, Cracking and Wetting Problems
Stating that the project aims to create an environmentally friendly product using marble dust and ash, Demir continued as follows:
“While marble powder and ash are mixed with various chemical substances, an organic-based foaming agent is added into it. The foaming agent creates closed air chambers inside the concrete block. Closed chambers provide water permeability. Since it is lighter than the density of water, it can stay on the water without sinking. Since it does not absorb water like other concrete materials, its weight does not increase after rain. Problems such as freezing and cracking of wet concrete in cold weather are not experienced in this material."
Noting that they designed their product to be used as wall blocks in construction, Demir pointed out that it can also be used in the construction of small marine vehicles thanks to its durability and floating properties.
Demir explained that the use of waste materials in the construction of concrete block reduces the cost, thus it is more economical than other products that perform the same function in the market.
Stating that they have obtained a highly competitive product with an economical production cost, and efforts are continuing to obtain patents and begin mass production, Demir said:
"The products we produce have a unit weight of 300 to 600 kilograms / cubic meter. The strength of the product is above the TSE standards. Its thermal insulation value is higher than other products on the market. All values have been demonstrated and documented in the experiments we conducted in our laboratories. Since it is lighter, the weight loaded on the building, which we call 'dead load', will be low. It will make buildings stronger during an earthquake."
Head of the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, at AKU Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir headed the 5-person team, with support provided by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), started working to patent the material they produced and to begin mass production.
No Freezing, Cracking and Wetting Problems
Stating that the project aims to create an environmentally friendly product using marble dust and ash, Demir continued as follows:
“While marble powder and ash are mixed with various chemical substances, an organic-based foaming agent is added into it. The foaming agent creates closed air chambers inside the concrete block. Closed chambers provide water permeability. Since it is lighter than the density of water, it can stay on the water without sinking. Since it does not absorb water like other concrete materials, its weight does not increase after rain. Problems such as freezing and cracking of wet concrete in cold weather are not experienced in this material."
Noting that they designed their product to be used as wall blocks in construction, Demir pointed out that it can also be used in the construction of small marine vehicles thanks to its durability and floating properties.
Demir explained that the use of waste materials in the construction of concrete block reduces the cost, thus it is more economical than other products that perform the same function in the market.
Stating that they have obtained a highly competitive product with an economical production cost, and efforts are continuing to obtain patents and begin mass production, Demir said:
"The products we produce have a unit weight of 300 to 600 kilograms / cubic meter. The strength of the product is above the TSE standards. Its thermal insulation value is higher than other products on the market. All values have been demonstrated and documented in the experiments we conducted in our laboratories. Since it is lighter, the weight loaded on the building, which we call 'dead load', will be low. It will make buildings stronger during an earthquake."