Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin DURGUN | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin DURGUN , Bartın University , Turkey.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin DURGUN 🎓 is a dedicated civil engineering researcher specializing in construction materials. He earned his Ph.D. from Istanbul Technical University in 2017, focusing on nano-silica in self-compacting concrete. With 21 SCI-indexed journal publications 📚, he has made significant contributions in cement, concrete rheology, and sustainable materials. He has participated in over 10 research projects and reviewed 150+ papers for reputed journals 🧪. Currently serving at Bartın University, Dr. Durgun continues to guide graduate students, publish scholarly work, and advance innovations in durable, high-performance concrete technologies 🏗️.

Professional Profile

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Education and Experience

• 📘 B.Sc. in Civil Engineering – 2007

• 🧪 M.Sc. in Construction Materials – 2011

• 🎓 Ph.D. in Construction Materials (Nano-Silica in SCC) – 2017

• 🧑‍🏫 Research Assistant, Istanbul Technical University – 2008–2017

• 👨‍🏫 Assistant Professor, Bartın University – 2018–2021

• 🎖️ Associate Professor, Bartın University – 2021–Present

Suitability Summary

Associate Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin Durgun is a highly qualified and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award in recognition of his extensive contributions to the field of civil engineering materials and concrete technology. With a robust academic foundation, Dr. Durgun earned his Ph.D. from Istanbul Technical University, where he explored the role of nano-silica in enhancing the rheological behavior of self-compacting concrete—a subject that remains highly relevant to sustainable construction practices.

Professional Development 

Dr. Durgun has cultivated a robust academic and professional portfolio through his engagement in multidisciplinary concrete technology research 🧱. His work explores fresh concrete rheology, rebar corrosion, alkali-activated binders, and geopolymer development 🌍. He has supervised graduate theses, delivered advanced courses 🧑‍🎓, authored 6 book chapters, and presented in 39 international conferences 🌐. Actively involved in reviewing top-tier SCI-indexed journal submissions 📑, he remains a respected peer reviewer and academic contributor. A member of ACI (American Concrete Institute) 🏛️, he consistently expands his professional network while advancing the understanding of durable and eco-friendly construction solutions.

Research Focus 

Dr. Muhammed Yasin DURGUN focuses on sustainable and high-performance civil engineering materials 🏗️. His key interests include cement chemistry, fresh and hardened concrete behavior, self-consolidating concrete, and rheology of cementitious systems. He explores the use of nano-materials, blast furnace slag, geopolymers, and alkali-activated binders to enhance durability, workability, and structural integrity 💧. His research also investigates rebar corrosion, microstructural analysis, and the integration of industrial by-products into concrete mixes ♻️. These studies aim to improve concrete’s sustainability and performance under varied environmental conditions, supporting green construction practices and infrastructure longevity 🌱.

Awards and Honors

• 🥇 Completed TUBITAK 1001-funded project on Nano-Silica in SCC

• 🧪 Researcher in multiple nationally funded materials science projects

• 📚 Reviewer for 150+ SCI-indexed journal articles

• 🏗️ 21 SCI-indexed journal publications in top international journals

• 🎤 39 international conference presentations

• 📖 6 book chapters in civil and materials engineering

• 🧑‍🏫 Supervised multiple graduate theses (M.Sc. and Ph.D.)

• 🎓 Delivered 18 courses in undergraduate and graduate education

• 🏛️ Member of American Concrete Institute (ACI)

Publication Top Notes

• High temperature resistance of concretes with GGBFS, waste glass powder, and colemanite ore wastes after different cooling conditions
  📌 Authors: MY Durgun, AH Sevinç
  📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 196, pp. 66–81, 2019
  📌 Citations: 73
  🔍 Focus: Evaluates thermal resistance and residual mechanical properties of concrete containing GGBFS, glass powder, and colemanite after exposure to high temperatures and varying cooling regimes.

• Investigation of durability properties of concrete pipes incorporating blast furnace slag and ground basaltic pumice as fine aggregates
  📌 Authors: H Bınıci, MY Durgun, T Rızaoğlu, M Koluçolak
  📌 Journal: Scientia Iranica, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 366–372, 2012
  📌 Citations: 72
  🔍 Focus: Examines the durability performance of concrete pipes using alternative fine aggregates like slag and pumice.

• Rheological and fresh properties of reduced fine content self-compacting concretes produced with different particle sizes of nano SiO₂
  📌 Authors: MY Durgun, HN Atahan
  📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 142, pp. 431–443, 2017
  📌 Citations: 57
  🔍 Focus: Investigates how nano-silica particle size affects rheology and fresh behavior in self-compacting concrete with low fine content.

• A Taguchi approach for investigating the engineering properties of concretes incorporating barite, colemanite, basaltic pumice and ground blast furnace slag
  📌 Authors: AH Sevinc, MY Durgun, M Eken
  📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 135, pp. 343–351, 2017
  📌 Citations: 52
  🔍 Focus: Utilizes Taguchi statistical methods to evaluate mechanical and durability properties of concrete with multiple industrial waste additions.

• Effect of high temperature on polypropylene fiber-reinforced mortars containing colemanite wastes
  📌 Authors: MY Durgun, S Özen, K Karakuzu, V Kobya, SH Bayqra, et al.
  📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 316, Article ID 125827, 2022
  📌 Citations: 50
  🔍 Focus: Studies thermal stability and post-fire performance of polypropylene fiber-enhanced mortars with colemanite.

• Strength, elastic and microstructural properties of SCCs with colloidal nano silica addition
  📌 Authors: MY Durgun, HN Atahan
  📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 158, pp. 295–307, 2018
  📌 Citations: 42
  🔍 Focus: Explores how colloidal nano-silica modifies strength, elasticity, and microstructure in self-compacting concretes.

• Corrosion of basaltic pumice, colemanite, barite and blast furnace slag coated rebars in concretes
  📌 Authors: H Binici, O Aksogan, MY Durgun
  📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 37, pp. 629–637, 2012
  📌 Citations: 42
  🔍 Focus: Assesses corrosion behavior of rebars coated with industrial waste materials in various concrete matrices.

• Properties of high-calcium fly ash-based geopolymer concretes improved with high-silica sources
  📌 Authors: AH Sevinç, MY Durgun
  📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 261, Article ID 120014, 2020
  📌 Citations: 38
  🔍 Focus: This study explores the performance of geopolymer concretes produced from high-calcium fly ash, enhanced with high-silica materials such as silica fume and nano-silica. Results show improved mechanical strength, workability, and microstructure, contributing to sustainable binder development and reducing reliance on Portland cement.

Conclusion

With a strong record of scholarly excellence, impactful research, and dedicated mentorship, Associate Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin Durgun exemplifies the ideals of a leading academic in civil engineering. His continued contributions to the advancement of sustainable and high-performance construction materials make him an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award.