Thesis Type: Postgraduate
Institution Of The Thesis: Erzincan Binali Yildirim University, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, İnşaat Mühendisliği, Turkey
Approval Date: 2025
Thesis Language: Turkish
Student: Ahmet Taha Ciminli
Supervisor: Halit Alperen Bulut
Abstract:
This study was conducted to determine the effect of different resin and perlite types on the mechanical performance of polymer concrete by presenting a new approach for the production of lightweight polymer concrete. For this purpose, natural and expanded perlites were used as fine aggregate instead of quartz aggregate in polymer concretes at ratios of 0%, 5% and 10%. Unsaturated polyester resin and vinylester resin were selected as binder materials. Fresh density, compressive, flexural, splitting tensile strength, UPV, elasticity modulus and toughness tests were carried out on polymer concretes after 7, 28 and 90 days. In addition, changes in the internal structures of polymer concretes were examined as a result of SEM (scanning electron microscope) analyses. Finally, control concretes without perlite were also produced and experimental results were compared. The combination of natural perlite aggregate and polyester resin achieved higher compressive strength results than the control concrete for all days. At the end of 90 days, the flexural strength of 5% natural perlite aggregate polyester resin polymer concrete (PRNP5/90) increased by approximately 13% compared to the control concrete (PRP0/90) (these values are 7.26 MPa and 6.41 MPa, respectively). According to the splitting tensile strength results, better results were obtained from polymer concretes in which polyester resin was used compared to vinylester resin and natural perlite was used compared to expanded perlite aggregate. Parameters such as binder resin type, perlite type and ratio, and curing time were effective on the UPV results of polymer concretes. The elasticity modulus values and toughness of vinylester resin polymer concretes with natural perlite aggregate were higher than those of polyester resin polymer concretes. SEM analysis results and experimental results are consistent with each other. Considering all experimental results, it was revealed that the ideal perlite type and ratio was 5% natural perlite aggregate. Different from the literature and uniquely, lightweight polymer concretes with high mechanical performance polyester/vinylester resin, especially natural perlite aggregate, could be produced with a much lower resin ratio (15%).