Browsing by Author "Gulcimen, Sedat"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

Citation - WoS: 6
Citation - Scopus: 6
Characterizing Boron-Enhanced One-Part Alkaline-Activated Mortars: Mechanical Properties, Microstructure and Environmental Impacts
(Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2024) Orklemez, Ezgi; Ilkentapar, Serhan; Durak, Ugur; Gulcimen, Sedat; Uzal, Nigmet; Uzal, Burak; Atis, Cengiz Duran
Since alkali activators negatively effect the environmental impact assessment, it is necessary to develop the alternative activators from natural sources with low environmental impact. Therefore, in this study, the usage of boron refined products colemanite, ulexite and boron pentahydrate as activators in slag-based alkali-activated mortar systems was investigated in detail. Flexural and compressive strength tests, isothermal calorimetry measurement, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive analysis and elemental mapping and X-ray diffraction analysis were carried out on the samples. In addition, sample production was subjected to life cycle analysis (LCA) with a cradle-to-gate approach using two different transportation scenarios. According to the results obtained, it was determined that colemanite, ulexite and boron penta hydrate, when used in optimum proportions, had a positive effect on strength (up to increase 40% compressive strength by 20% ulexite replacement) and could be used as an activator in slag-based alkali-activated systems. The positive results obtained in strength as a result of using boron-refined products are also supported by other test results conducted within the scope of the study. Furthermore, according to the LCA results, it was observed that there was a significant decrease in global warming potential with the substitution of 20% colemanite, ulexite or boron pentahydrate as activators, not only compared to the reference sample but also traditional cementitious systems.
Citation - WoS: 26
Citation - Scopus: 31
Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of a Light Rail Transit System: Integration of Environmental, Economic, and Social Impacts
(Wiley, 2021) Gulcimen, Sedat; Aydogan, Emel K.; Uzal, Nigmet
The transition toward sustainable urban transportation has gained importance in recent decades. However, urban transportation has not been addressed for all dimensions of sustainability. This study presents a life cycle sustainability assessment of a light rail transit system in Kayseri, Turkey, by integrating environmental, economic, and social aspects. The sustainability performance of the light rail transit system is evaluated using a cradle-to-grave approach to assess three aspects of sustainability. For the environmental evaluation, a life cycle assessment was applied using SimaPro 8.4.1 PhD version based on ISO 14040 and 14044. The method, which includes nine environmental impact categories, was employed to assess the environmental performance of the light rail transit system with a functional unit of 1 passenger-km. For the economic assessment, life cycle costing was utilized with the functional unit of USD for 1 passenger-km. A social life cycle assessment was applied to assess the social performance of the light rail transit system based on guidelines published by the United Nations Environment Programme in collaboration with the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. For the determination of social impacts, 11 subcategories and 18 social indicators were selected. The results showed that the global warming potential and abiotic depletion potential of the light rail system per passenger-km were 2.4E - 02 kg CO2 eq. and 2.7E - 01 MJ, respectively, with a service life of 50 years. The total life cycle cost of the light rail system was calculated as 0.046 USD for 1 passenger-km. The results also revealed that the main contributor to the total life cycle cost was energy cost, with 92% (2.88E + 08 USD) of the total cost. In the social performance evaluation, it is found that the industry performs well for society, the local community, and workers but has a weaker social performance for the consumer due to a weak feedback mechanism. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;00:1-13. (c) 2021 SETAC
Citation - WoS: 4
Citation - Scopus: 5
Robust Multicriteria Sustainability Assessment in Urban Transportation
(ASCE-Amer Soc Civil Engineers, 2023) Gulcimen, Sedat; Aydogan, Emel Kizilkaya; Uzal, Nigmet
Developing methodologies to facilitate the planning of sustainable transport systems for decision makers (DMs) is becoming more critical. This study proposed a methodological framework for sustainable urban transportation to make decisions during urban transportation's design and planning stages. Urban transportation alternatives were evaluated by sustainability indicators that considered a triple bottom line approach's environmental, economic, and social aspects. To choose the best alternative sustainable transportation scenarios, two multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, for example, a hesitant fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (HF-AHP) and multiple attribute utility model (MAUT), were integrated. First, eight sustainable transportation indicators that considered data availability from the transport sector were selected. The weights of the selected indicators were calculated using an HF-AHP. These indicators included carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, energy consumption, depletion of nonrenewable resources, operational and maintenance costs, fuel and taxes, the number of fatalities or injuries, and motor vehicles for public transport per 10,000 population. Finally, sensitivity analysis was applied to validate the robustness. Based on HF-AHP results, the number of fatalities or injuries was the most significant among the eight indicators, with a 0.158 normalized weight (N-i). The results of this integrated methodology highlighted that Alternative 11, which was dominated by low-motorized vehicles (low-MVs), was the best sustainable alternative and Alternative 1 was the worst sustainable alternative, which was dominated by high-MVs with 0.69 and 0.27 total utility values, respectively. Low-motorized urban transportation alternatives showed higher sustainable performances than the motorized and high-motorized alternatives. This study proposed a novel and robust methodology for decisions on sustainable urban transportation projects and renovating current urban transportation systems.
Citation - WoS: 42
Citation - Scopus: 48
Life Cycle Assessment of Lightweight Concrete Containing Recycled Plastics and Fly Ash
(Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2022) Ersan, Yusuf Cagatay; Gulcimen, Sedat; Imis, Tuba Nur; Saygin, Osman; Uzal, Nigmet
Researchers put significant effort to decrease the environmental impact of concrete by using industrial by-products as an alternative binder. However, the considerable environmental impact still exists due to the consumption of natural resources as aggregates. Natural aggregates are the most used resources by volume in the construction sector. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate by-products as an alternative to natural aggregates as well. This study presents the environmental impact of lightweight concrete (LWC) produced by replacing natural aggregates with recycled waste plastic (polyethylene) (RWP) and partially replacing Portland cement with Class F fly ash (FA). Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was performed to compare a conventional LWC, containing pumice as natural aggregate and Portland cement as a binder, with green LWC, containing 30% RWP as pumice replacement and 20% FA as cement replacement. These scenarios were evaluated in terms of global warming potential, abiotic depletion, ozone layer depletion, terrestrial ecotoxicity, photochemical oxidation, acidification and eutrophication. LCA was coupled with mechanical tests at 7 days and 28 days. RWPs were found to be an environment-friendly replacement material for natural lightweight aggregates with an overall decrease in all CML-IA impacts except eutrophication. Tested green mix design also provided sufficient strength for nonstructural applications.
Citation - WoS: 6
Citation - Scopus: 7
Evaluation of Diatomite Substitute With Thermal Power Plant Waste Fly Ash in Sustainable Geopolymer Through Life Cycle Assessment
(Springer, 2025) Ilkentapar, Serhan; Orklemez, Ezgi; Durak, Ugur; Gulcimen, Sedat; Bayram, Savas; Uzal, Nigmet; Atis, Cengiz Duran
This research demonstrates the potential of diatomite as a fly ash replacement to improve mechanical properties and environmental sustainability and presents it as a viable alternative for sustainable construction. Additionally, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted on the produced mortars to quantitatively compare their environmental impacts using a cradle-to-gate approach. In mixtures, it was used by replacing the diatomite in the ratios of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% by weight of the fly ash. Workability, unit weight, flexural and compressive strength, abrasion resistance, elevated temperature resistance and microstructure analysis were carried out. The results indicated that replacing 1%, 2%, and 3% diatomite increased the compressive and flexural strength of mortars due to their higher specific surface area. Two percent replacement of diatomite provided the best results. FESEM results of 3% diatomite inclusion showed more intense and compact microstructure of geopolymer. Diatomite inclusion increased the abrasion resistance of geopolymer. Since 2% diatomite replacement was found to be optimum, the LCA results showed that geopolymer mortar with 2% diatomite has 25% lower impacts in terms of global warming potential and 10% lower impacts in terms of terrestrial ecotoxicity than conventional Portland cement mortar.
Citation - WoS: 24
Citation - Scopus: 24
Wind Farm Site Selection Using GIS-Based Multicriteria Analysis With Life Cycle Assessment Integration
(Springer Heidelberg, 2024) Demir, Abdullah; Dincer, Ali Ersin; Ciftci, Cihan; Gulcimen, Sedat; Uzal, Nigmet; Yilmaz, Kutay
The sustainability of wind power plants depends on the selection of suitable installation locations, which should consider not only economic and technical factors including manufacturing and raw materials, but also issues pertaining to the environment. In the present study, a novel methodology is proposed to determine the suitable locations for wind turbine farms by analyzing from the environmental perspective. In the methodology, the life cycle assessment (LCA) of wind turbines is incorporated into the decision process. The criteria are ranked using analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The study area is chosen as the western region of Turkiye. The obtained suitability map reveals that wind speed is not the sole criterion for selecting a site for wind turbine farms; other factors, such as bird migration paths, distance from urban areas and land use, are also crucial. The results also reveal that constructing wind power plants in the vicinity of Izmir, canakkale, Istanbul, and Balikesir in Turkiye can lead to a reduction in emissions. Izmir and its surrounding area show the best environmental performance with the lowest CO2 per kilowatt-hour (7.14 g CO2 eq/kWh), to install a wind turbine due to its proximity to the harbor and steel factory across the study area. canakkale and the northwest region of Turkiye, despite having high wind speeds, are less environmentally favorable than Izmir, Balikesir, and Istanbul. The findings of LCA reveal that the nacelle and rotor components of the wind turbine contribute significantly (43-97%) to the environmental impact categories studied, while the tower component (0-36%) also has an impact.
Citation - WoS: 4
Citation - Scopus: 5
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Retort Pouch and Aluminum Can for Ready-to Bean Packaging
(Springer, 2023) Gulcimen, Sedat; Ozcan, Ozlem; Cevik, Selin Babacan; Kahraman, Kevser; Uzal, Nigmet
Since packaging contributes to severe environmental impacts in food production, alternatives of packaging materials that satisfy customer needs while minimizing environmental impacts in a cost-effective manner should be preferred for food product sustainability. This paper compares two different packaging materials (aluminum cans and retort pouches) with a life cycle approach to assess the environmental impacts of ready-to-eat bean packaging. The life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to define and compare the environmental performance of ready-to-eat beans in aluminum cans and retort pouches. The gate-to-gate approach was used in the LCA, with a functional unit of 1 kg of packaged ready-to-eat bean product. Inventory for packaging in retort pouch was created in collaboration with Duru Bulgur Company (Karaman, Turkey) and the data for ready-to-eat beans in the aluminum can were gathered from the literature. The findings show that ready-to-eat beans in retort pouches have lower environmental impacts than ready-to-eat beans in aluminum cans. The packaging and washing processes for both ready-to-eat beans packaged in aluminum cans and retort pouches had the greatest environmental impact. In ready-to-eat beans production, retort pouch provides 87% better environmental performance than aluminum can in terms of global warming (GW). Overall, the results demonstrated that replacing aluminum cans with retort pouches in ready-to-eat bean production can significantly reduce environmental effects in all impact categories. [Graphics] .