Influence of polypropylene fibres on the tensile strength and thermal properties of various densities of foamed concrete

[摘要] As almost half of the world's population now lives in the urban areas, the raise in temperature in these areas has necessitated the development of thermal insulating material. Conventional concrete absorbs solar radiation during the daytime while releasing it at night causing raise in temperature in urban areas. The thermal conductivity of 2200 kg/m3density conventional concrete is 1.6 W/mK. Higher the thermal conductivity value, greater the heat flow through the material. To reduce this heat transfer, the construction industry has turned to lightweight foamed concrete. Foamed concrete, due to its air voids, gives excellent thermal properties and sound absorption apart from fire-resistance and self-leveling properties. But due to limited studies on different densities of foamed concrete, the thermal properties are not understood properly thus limiting its use as thermal insulating material. In this study, thermal conductivity is determined for 1400, 1600 and 1800 kg/m3densities of foamed concrete. 0.8% of Polypropylene fibres (PP) is used to reinforce the foamed concrete and improve the mechanical properties. Based upon the results, it was found that addition of PP fibres enhances the tensile strength and slightly reduced the thermal conductivity for lower densities, while the reverse affect was noticed in 1800 kg/m3density.

[发布机构] Jamilus Research Center, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Johor, Batu Pahat; 86400, Malaysia^1;Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur; 50603, Malaysia^2;Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia^3

[效力级别] 土木建筑工程

[关键词] Conventional concrete;Different densities;Foamed concrete;Leveling property;Lower density;Polypropylene fibres;Sound absorption;Various densities