Journal article
Development of Self-Heating Concrete Using Low-Temperature Phase Change Materials: Multiscale and In Situ Real-Time Evaluation of Snow-Melting and Freeze–Thaw Performance
Journal of materials in civil engineering, v 36(6), 04024102
Jun 2024
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
This work examined the performance of self-heating concrete under laboratory thermal conditions and outdoor real-time conditions during the fall and winter seasons. Snow-melting and freeze–thaw performance of low-temperature phase change materials (PCM) incorporated self-heating concrete slabs in various scales were evaluated. PCM exhibited high enthalpy of fusion (ΔHf ≈ 170–180 J=g), long-term thermal stability, and desirable supercooling. The experimental program included (1) optimization of concrete mix designs for maximum PCM incorporation, (2) characterization of thermal properties of PCM-mortar specimens using longitudinal guarded comparative calorimetry (LGCC), and (3) large-scale PCM concrete slabs in outdoor conditions to evaluate the real-time thermal performance against freeze–thaw events and snow-melting efficiency. Two different approaches were used to incorporate PCM in concrete: (1) submersion of liquid PCM in porous lightweight aggregates (PCM-LWA); and (2) microencapsulated PCM (MPCM). Both PCM-LWA and MPCM concrete not only exhibited promising snow-melting capabilities but also lowered the number of freeze–thaw cycles during cold seasons. PCM-LWA concrete performed better in decreasing the number of freeze–thaw (F-T) cycles due to the undercooling phenomenon created by the LWA pore network confinement pressure, allowing gradual latent heat release; the undercooling phenomenon in PCM-LWA results in phase transformation in a wider low-temperature range (i.e., 3.94°C to −13.04°C). Therefore, the PCM-LWA concrete was effective in melting snow within a wider range of low temperatures. MPCM concrete was found to provide a rapid melting capability during a snowfall event due to its “one-shot” heat release phenomenon. Both LWA-PCM and MPCM concrete slabs demonstrated promising heat response and snow-melting capability.
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Details
- Title
- Development of Self-Heating Concrete Using Low-Temperature Phase Change Materials: Multiscale and In Situ Real-Time Evaluation of Snow-Melting and Freeze–Thaw Performance
- Creators
- Robin Deb - Drexel UniversityNishant Shrestha - Drexel UniversityKham Phan - Drexel UniversityMohamed Cissao - Drexel UniversityParsa Namakiaraghi - Drexel University, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental EngineeringYousif Alqenai - Drexel UniversitySharaniaya Visvalingam - Drexel UniversityAngela W. Mutua - Drexel UniversityAmir Farnam - Drexel University, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering
- Publication Details
- Journal of materials in civil engineering, v 36(6), 04024102
- Number of pages
- 15
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001202656600031
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85188509943
- Other Identifier
- 991021863014704721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Construction & Building Technology
- Engineering, Civil
- Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
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