Thermal Properties of Concrete Prepared with Water Absorbing Beads

Heat islands and extreme weather changes are the major problems faced in urban areas. The usage of water absorbing beads in concrete enhances its thermal properties. Water absorbing beads are the superabsorbent polymers that can absorb and retain water hundreds of times of their masses. In this research, six concrete mixes containing 180 nos. of concrete cube specimens of size 150mm were prepared using water absorbing beads as a replacement of aggregates by volume. Water absorbing beads submerged in water for 24 hours were used to prepare concrete mixes. Percentage of replacement of aggregates by volume of water absorbing beads were kept as 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% and 20% in mixes C, B1, B2, B3, B4 and B5 respectively. All in aggregate of 20mm nominal size as per table 10 of Indian standard IS 383: 2016 was used. M30 mix was used to prepare control mix designated as “C”. Specimens were tested for compressive and split tensile strength at curing age of 7 days, 28 days, 56 days and 120 days. Temperature absorption pattern of concrete prepared with water absorbing beads under direct sunlight was observed for the specimens after curing age of 120 days. Mass of concrete cubes were also noted. It was observed that the lightweight concrete was obtained with the use of water absorbing beads in concrete. Testing results show that the use of water absorbing beads in concrete reduces its compressive and tensile strength with improvement in thermal properties of concrete which is beneficial to control the surface temperature of concrete in extreme hot and cold weather. At last, we can say that the use of water absorbing beads in concrete improves sustainability and thermal comfort of the buildings