Research on the Thermal Properties of Fireplace Concrete Materials Containing Various Mineral Aggregates Enriched by Organic and Inorganic Fibers.

Agata Stempkowska,Tomasz Gawenda,Łukasz Wójcik,Marzena Karbowy,Piotr Izak,Joanna Mastalska-Popławska

doi:10.3390/ma14040904

Abstract

This work presents a summary of research on concrete fireplace materials made of various mineral aggregates and enriched with steel and organic fibers. To determine the optimal applications of such concretes, their ability to accumulate heat and their other physicochemical parameters were tested and analyzed. Studies on the behavior of concrete materials during cooling are reported, and the ability of such materials to accumulate heat is evaluated using calculations. In addition, tests were performed on the loss of mass during heating, as well as on the mechanical bending strength and microstructures of these materials. Studies have shown that the behavior of concrete materials at high temperatures can be modified and adapted for specific purposes. The addition of fibers to concrete improves both the mechanical properties of mortars and the heat flow in concrete materials.

Highlights

Over recent decades, the energy demands in residential buildings have increased, and there is a great need to balance energy consumption
The attention is focused on the role of the thermal conductivity coefficient in the insulation of buildings, and information can be found on the behavior of concrete at high temperatures above 500 ◦C, for which the strong influence of the aggregates used and effective reinforcement with steel and polypropylene fibers are highlighted [3]
Fine aggregates based on sand show a polymorphic transformation at 573 ◦C and have a high coefficient of thermal expansion, which causes micro-cracking in the material and weakening of the structure [4]

Summary

Introduction

The energy demands in residential buildings have increased, and there is a great need to balance energy consumption. The thermal properties of concrete materials are attracting increasingly more attention, because of their influence on the energy efficiency of buildings and due to the structural properties and functionality of such materials. Modern concrete materials containing various complementary cement materials, various types of aggregates (including light and recycled aggregates), and fibers are increasingly used in transport structures such as sidewalks and bridge decks, as well as in large foundations (ready-mixed concrete), where thermal behavior is important and sensitive to construction properties [2]. The attention is focused on the role of the thermal conductivity coefficient in the insulation of buildings, and information can be found on the behavior of concrete at high temperatures above 500 ◦C, for which the strong influence of the aggregates used and effective reinforcement with steel and polypropylene fibers are highlighted [3]. The type of aggregate is important in concretes operating at increased temperatures.

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