Production, characterization and investigation of thermoregulation performance of foam concretes containing expanded perlite/capric acid composite

The usage of phase change materials (FDM) in the production of building materials allows the efficient use of thermal energy in buildings. Thus, the energy required for heating and cooling of buildings can be reduced. In this thesis study, porous expanded perlite (GP) as support material was impregnated with capric acid (CA), which is a phase change material, by direct impregnation method. As a result of the leakage test, it was determined that GP could absorb up to 58% CA by weight. Afterwards, the prepared GP/KA composite was incorporated to the foam concrete mixture at different rates (15%, 20%, 25% and 30% by weight) as a substitute for silica sand. The melting temperature and melting enthalpy values of the prepared GP/CA composite were determined as 29,2˚C and 96,4 J/g, respectively. Depending on the increase in the amount of GP/CA composite, the flow diameter and dry unit weights of the foam concrete samples decreased, while water absorption and apparent porosity values increased. The compressive strength and thermal conductivity values of the foam concrete samples showed a decreasing trend depending on the increase in the amount of GP/CA. For the foam concrete sample containing 30% GP/CA by weight, the lowest compressive strength and thermal conductivity coefficient were measured as 4,04 MPa and 0,213 W/m.K, respectively. Compared to reference sample, foam concrete with 30% GP/KA can keep indoor environment cooler where ambient temperature is high. Additionally, it can provide a warmer indoor temperature at night and when the environment gets colder.