Thermal analysis of perlite-reinforced concrete panels at varying moisture contents

Abstract

Research on composite materials to be used in building insulation is presented. Building energy efficiency gained much broader significance following the COP 21 Paris agreement. In light of this outcome, this study focuses on the analysis of a construction material with improved potential building energy performance. A composite material consisting of Portland cement and perlite was developed and tested. R-values of perlite-reinforced panels at different moisture levels were measured by using the reverse heat leak method. Results obtained by this method were verified by testing materials with known properties and compared to theoretical calculations. Verification of theory was achieved within 1.8% error range. 'Thermal diffusivity values of the developed samples were also measured using the flash method. It was observed that addition of perlite to cement increases the thermal insulation capacity while thermal resistance decreases with increasing moisture content in the panels. Thermal diffusivity was found to be increasing up to a critical moisture level beyond which it decreases due to the effect of density of water that dominates the increase in thermal conductivity. These findings are considered to be significant for the construction industries, especially for regions with abundant perlite reserves.