Thermal and mechanical properties of light-weight concrete utilizing Moroccan Pozzolan

Abstract

Today, the poor adaptation of construction in Morocco to climatic conditions increases by 7% per year in demand for electricity. Hence the increase in demand for new, more energy-efficient buildings that are comfortable and environmentally friendly. In this study, new material was produced using natural pozzolan elaborated with concrete based on pozzolanic aggregates. For the thermal characterization, the asymmetrical hot plate method in a steady-state regim was applied. For the mechanical investigation, the flexural and the compressive strengths of developed samples are tested. The experimental results of dry thermal characteristics are interesting. Thermal conductivity of concrete samples is varied between 1.5 W m−1 K−1 and 0.78 W m−1 K−1. A sample of concrete with 40% of pozzolanic aggregate demonstrates optimum mechanical strength and heat conductivity.