PSI - Issue 70

Sreegovind M. et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 70 (2025) 556–563

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5. Conclusions The current research explores the feasibility of usage of expanded vermiculite as a replacement to fine aggregate to improve the thermal properties without reduction in strength. The following conclusions are drawn from the study: • The incorporation of expanded vermiculite reduces the thermal conductivity of the mortar by 60-70% with the rise in proportion of EV. • The compressive strength is indirectly proportional to the mass proportion of EV. • Based on the strength and thermal conductivity values, CM 15 is chosen as the optimum combination. • From the COMSOL simulation, it is clear that the use of EV in mortar, can help in reducing the indoor temperature by 1-2°C, thereby it helps to reduce the energy demand. • Vermiculite incorporated mortar shows lesser heat penetration during external temperature rise. • Normal mortar retains more heat, when compared to vermiculite incorporated mortar, making it less effective for indoor temperature control. • Vermiculite incorporated mortar is more responsive thermal regulations, which is visible by the faster cooling down. Based on the test results, it is observed that the EV incorporated mortar possesses lesser thermal conductivity and meets the required strength criteria. Hence the developed EV incorporated mortar can be used in buildings for the thermal insulation purposes. The application of this technique in buildings stands as a sustainable solution for the large amount of energy consumption from the construction sector. References Ahmet Benli, Mehmet Karatas, Hasan Anil Toprak, 2020. Mechanical characteristics of self-compacting mortars with raw and expanded vermiculite as partial cement replacement at elevated temperatures. Construction and Building Materials 239, 117895. AM Papadopoulos, M., 2005. State of the art in thermal insulation materials and aims for future developments. Building and Environment 40, 27 – 35. Assis Neto, Plínio Campos de, Leane Priscilla Bonfim Sales, Palloma Karolayne Santos Oliveira, Iranilza Costa da Silva, Ilana Maria da Silva Barros, Aline Figueiredo da Nóbrega, and Arnaldo Manoel Pereira Carneiro. 2023. "Expanded Vermiculite: A Short Review about Its Production, Characteristics, and Effects on the Properties of Lightweight Mortars" Buildings 13, no. 3: 823. ASTM C177, 2025. Standard test method for steady-state heat flux measurements and thermal transmission properties by means of the guarded hot-plate apparatus. ASTM International. Balbuena, José, Mercedes Sánchez, Luis Sánchez, and Manuel Cruz-Yusta. 2024. "Lightweight Mortar Incorporating Expanded Perlite, Vermiculite, and Aerogel: A Study on the Thermal Behavior" Materials 17, no. 3: 711. Chandni, K., Anand, K., 2018. Utilization of recycled waste as filler in foam concrete. Journal of Building Engineering 19, 154 – 160. Deize D.P. Guilherme, Kleber C. Cabral, Wendell R.M. Souza, Antonio Eduardo Martinelli, 2024. Heat transfer evaluation of coating mortars containing expanded vermiculite as fine aggregate. Construction and Building Materials 420, 135580. dos Santos, K.; Figueirêdo, A.; de Paiva, D.; Maia, F.L.; da Silva, J.A.; da Silva, I.M.; Costa, I. (2023) Fresh, hardened and thermal properties of coating mortars containing mineral additions and vermiculite. Mater. construcc. 73 [351], e318 IS 2250, 1981. Code of practice for preparation and use of masonry mortars. Bureau of Indian Standards. IS 2386 (Part 3), 2021. Methods of test for aggregates. Bureau of Indian Standards. IS 383, 2016. Coarse and Fine Aggregate for Concrete — Specification. Bureau of Indian Standards. IS 4031-6, 1988. Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement. Bureau of Indian Standards. Krishnan, S., Anand, K., 2018. Industrial waste utilization for foam concrete. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 310, no. 1, 012062. Sakulich, Aaron Richard, 2012. Reinforced geopolymer composites for enhanced material greenness and durability. Construction and Building Materials 35, 501 – 506. Shahedan, Noor & Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri & Mahmed, Norsuria & Kusbiantoro, Andri & Binhussain, Mohammed & Zailan, Siti. (2017). Review on thermal insulation performance in various type of concrete. AIP Conference Proceedings. 1835. 020046. 10.1063/1.4981868. Sushreeta Dora, Frédéric Kuznik, K.M. Mini, 2025. A novel PCM-based foam concrete for heat transfer in buildings — Experimental developments and simulation modelling. Journal of Energy Storage 105, 114625. Sushreeta Dora, K.M. Mini, 2023. Performance assessment of capric acid-ethyl alcohol/expanded vermiculite phase change material incorporated cement mortar for thermal insulation in buildings. Journal of Energy Storage 72, 108550. Sushreeta Dora, Riley B. Barta, K.M. Mini, 2023. Study on foam concrete incorporated with expanded vermiculite/capric acid PCM – A novel thermal storage high-performance building material. Construction and Building Materials 392, 131903.