Thermal Behaviour of Mortar Specimens Embedded with Steel and Glass Fibres Using KD2 Pro Thermal Analyser

Abstract

AbstractUnderstanding the thermal behaviour aspects of cement mortar has a significant role in the applications of sustainable buildings, chimneys, cooling towers, bridges, etc. as mortar is the main constituent in all concrete structures and masonry walls. It is often desirable to have lower thermal conductivity (K) values for the sake of thermal insulation; higher values are needed to optimize the thermal stresses in the structure. Hence, a need exists in understanding these behaviours, so that the desired material can be tailored and used in the places of need. The current study aims at investigating the thermal properties of mortar specimens, i.e. thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity (C), thermal diffusivity (D), and thermal resistivity (ρ) of reinforced mortar specimens embedded with steel and glass fibres. Thermal properties are determined using a KD2 pro thermal property analyser on five mortar specimens at temperature ranges of room temperatures (27) 50, and 100 °C and hydration periods of 3, 14, and 28 days. The results indicated that in specimens reinforced with 1% glass fibres, thermal conductivity decreased significantly with the increase in the hydration period and temperatures, while the effect of the hydration period of 1%steel fibre specimens on thermal conductivity is relatively low. It is concluded that mortar specimens reinforced with steel fibres have higher K; relatively glass fibres have K on the lower side. Mortar specimens with 0.5 and 1% of glass fibre have shown the highest resistance to heat flow. While the inclusion of 1% steel fibre is most favourable for effective heat transfer across the mortar specimens.KeywordsThermal conductivityThermal behaviourThermal diffusivityMortar