Thermal properties of concrete paver containing effective microorganism

Abstract

Numbers of research have been developed and studied for the mitigation of the Urban Heat Island effect through the concrete pavements. Waste material that enhance the strength of structures, reducing noise in pavements as well as improving heat properties were introduced. In this study, the application of marine kaolin and effective microorganism (EM) as part of cementitious material is carried out as a solution to reduce the heat emittance produced by a cement-water chemical reaction known as hydration process. The idea of mortar laid on top of concrete pavers to observe its effect on thermal properties is carried out. This study consists of 3 objectives that are to determine the surface temperature of marine kaolin mortar mixed with EM, to identify its thermal conductivity and to determine the optimum mix proportion of marine kaolin and EM. Most of the research however has include either marine kaolin or EM with other substances in their studies, however very limited research incorporating both materials. The reliability and efficiency of different methods are demonstrated experimentally and compared. Previous studies implementing EM or marine kaolin separately in the concrete mix are also reviewed. However, the improvement of thermal properties is focused in this study. Therefore, the lowest surface temperature and thermal conductivity achieved was to incorporate 10% marine kaolin mortar with 10% EM content. The 10mm thickness mortar laid, had reduced the temperature by 4% compared to the controlled sample and 6% lower than normal mortar at day-52. Although the research knowledge on the chemical reaction affecting mortar thermal properties is limited, this is a good alternative in reducing surface heat temperature of concrete paver.