Thermo-mechanical performance of concrete with alternative binder material

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of changes to fundamental components of concrete; cement type, water/cementitious (w/c) ratio, aggregate size and age, on thermo-mechanical properties. Understanding the heat transfer properties of construction materials will enable a reduction in energy expenditure and associated CO₂ emissions, contributing to a more sustainable built environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Concrete specimens were subject to steady-state heat transfer test methods to determine thermal conductivity and specific heat values. Pore volume of specimens was determined using water displacement method.

Findings

Cement type CEM I produced the lowest thermal conductivity values by a maximum of 30 per cent, cement type group CEM I corresponded to higher pore volumes and lower densities than cement type group CEM II. Specific heat was higher in specimens containing CEM II compared to CEM I, with cement type being the dominant factor that determines the specific heat capacity. The w/c ratio 0.55 provided lowest thermal conductivity values of the w/c ratio specimens, however, w/c ratio had no impact on the specific heat of concrete. Cement type was the most dominant component of concrete of the properties tested.

Originality/value

The paper presents knowledge of the thermal performance of concrete with easily achieved changes to concrete mix design, which can be used alone or combined for maximum effect. Steady-state heat transfer techniques in a low moisture environment combined with pore volume testing, provides originality to the study of the behaviour of cement replacements as previous research has mainly been based on transient techniques. The use of steady-state heat transfer experimentation allows important thermal properties, thermal conductivity and specific heat to be calculated.

Citation

Kirton, P., Richardson, A. and Agnew, B. (2013), "Thermo-mechanical performance of concrete with alternative binder material", Structural Survey, Vol. 31 No. 5, pp. 368-386. https://doi.org/10.1108/SS-01-2013-0002