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Plaster materials are commonly used on the interiors and exteriors of buildings. Such materials protect against impacts, atmospheric degradation, and physical and mechanical effects. Additionally, plaster materials must provide thermal insulation. In this study, rock samples (three types of ignimbrite) produced by Erciyes Mountain volcanic activity were selected as materials. These selected materials have differences in terms of engineering features. Petrographic properties of the samples were determined employing polarization microscopy. Plaster materials were separately prepared from each sample with the determined engineering features. The plaster materials were separately applied to block surfaces. The blocks were then subjected to heat transmission tests. Additionally, a non-plaster material was tested for comparison. The data obtained in these tests revealed important findings relating to energy savings, and it was found that new materials obtained from wastes of ignimbrites and idle resources formed by Erciyes Mountain (Kayseri, Turkey) volcanic activity can be used as alternative materials.

In this study, we investigated the chemical and physical properties of the volcanic rocks used as building stones in historical places and monuments. The chemical weathering effect of salt crystallization on these stones was measured on the laboratory conditions (in most cases, used samples were very small). For this purpose, the dry weight loss (DWL) test was conducted. The rocks of dacite, andesite and tuffs of volcanic origin have different durability against salt crystallization. The most stable rocks are dacites (DWL 2.06%) which were used in the construction of Hittite monuments at Eflatun. The durability of the stones is closely related to their chemical, mineralogical, petrographical and mechanical properties. The stones used in the historical buildings are generally much more stable than present-day building stones.

This study focuses on main adverse effects of blasting activities, blast induced vibrations and air blast. The monitoring and evaluation of vibrations and air blast are presented, also the causes of these environmental effects are investigated. Data recorded from blasting activities at irrigation channel construction in Apa-Konya were evaluated according to USBM RI8507 and OSMRE (Office of Surface Mining) and DIN 4150 (Deutsches Intitut fur Normung) standards and then its effect of the blast induced vibrations and air blast were examined.