PSI - Issue 64

Barbara Klemczak et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 64 (2024) 1126–1133 Author name / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2019) 000 – 000

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sharply until 28°C before stabilizing at higher temperatures. Therefore, these results affirm the ability of foamed concrete with MPCM addition to efficiently accumulate and release heat.

Fig. 5. Thermal conductivity of the tested samples

Fig. 6. Specific heat of the tested samples

4. Conclusions The presented research findings suggest that foamed concretes incorporating Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials (MPCMs) hold promise as construction materials and could serve as a more environmentally friendly alternative to widely used autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), which requires more energy-intensive production processes. Additionally, incorporating MPCMs into foamed concrete can notably enhance thermal properties, including thermal conductivity and heat storage/release capabilities, rendering MPCM-enriched foamed concrete a highly functional material. There are many potential applications for this material, depending on its density and thermos-mechanical properties, including its use as an insulation layer, facade panels, or structural blocks. However, a notable drawback is the relatively lower strength of foamed concrete than AAC, especially at lower material densities. Therefore, further research efforts should prioritize optimizing foamed concrete compositions to achieve improved mechanical properties. An important consideration in the context of reducing CO 2 emissions would be substituting Portland cement with low-emission alternatives. Future studies should focus on balancing the mechanical strength and thermal performance of MPCM-enriched foamed concrete to fully leverage its potential as a sustainable and efficient building material. Undoubtedly, realising the full potential of this material in construction requires expanding the research to include tests of other properties, such as shrinkage and frost resistance, among others.