Investigations on mechanical and thermal properties of concrete with different proportions of insulation aggregates

Abstract

Investigation of mechanical properties and thermal behavior of expanded polystyrene concrete (EPS) and exfoliated vermiculite (EV) concrete has been accomplished in this research. It includes how EPS concrete is prepared by substituting the coarse aggregate with 0, 10, 15, and 20% with EPS aggregates. Similarly, EV concrete is prepared by replacing the fine aggregates with 0, 15, 45, and 60% with EV aggregates. The influence of EPS and EV proportion on mechanical and thermal properties was detected. Thermal properties were studied with an adiabatic box technique. Clear improvement in thermal behavior was observed in comparison with normal concrete and reduction in compressive strength was observed for an appreciable increase in the amount of EPS and EV. Also, the properties like split tensile strength, load–deflection curves, and durability properties of the EPS and EV concretes were experimented.

Thermal analysis of concrete slabs with insulating materials using ANSYS

“…The temperature transfer from the bottom to the top surface was assumed in the direction of slab thickness. All four sides of the concrete slab, except the top and bottom, were sealed with EPS sheets to ensure the uniaxial heat transfer (Figure 1) (Ch and P, 2021).…”