Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Building Engineering, cilt.123, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
This study investigates the effect of the replacement of cement with natural zeolite at weight percentages of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% on composite properties having 20% and 40% foam content in an effort to reduce the environmental impacts of the cement industry and produce lightweight materials with low energy demand. Physical, mechanical, thermal, and microstructural properties were systematically investigated under normal water and accelerated steam-curing conditions. According to the results, the best ratio was 15% zeolite replacement. The pozzolanic reaction and filler action combined to increase the 28-day compressive strength of the 40% foamed series by up to 36% when compared to the reference mix. The curing regime greatly affected strength development; steam curing notably accelerated early-age strength gain, while water curing yielded marginally higher 28-day strengths due to a more prolonged hydration at later ages. The foam content was increased from 20% to 40%, improving insulation performance by reducing thermal conductivity by up to 35%. The addition of zeolite improved the microstructural development, resulting in a denser, more uniform Calcium-Silicate-Hydrate (C-S-H) gel, as confirmed by SEM and EDX analyses. LCA results indicated that the environmental impact of the mixtures did not decrease steadily as cement was reduced. While substituting with zeolite lowered clinker-related inputs, the overall environmental performance was influenced by the trade-off between this benefit and the environmental burdens from zeolite processing and foam-related components. Therefore, the environmental impact of incorporating zeolite varied depending on the mixture, rather than offering a consistent advantage. The study concludes that 15% zeolite replacement is a basic strategy for optimizing the strength and microstructural integrity of composites and outlines an operational blueprint for the manufacture of lightweight, high-performance structural materials.