Experimental and numerical research on development of synthetic heat storage form incorporating phase change materials to protect concrete in cold weather

• Published in: Renewable energy 2020-04, Vol.149, p.1424-1433
• Main Authors: Liu, Yushi, Sun, Fuzheng, Yu, Kunyang, Yang, Yingzi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Curing method; Early frost damage; Numerical simulation; Phase change materials; Winter construction
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.10.142

In this paper, a novel synthetic heat storage form incorporating phase change materials (SHSPCM) was developed to prevent concrete from early frost damage at extremely low temperature. This method exploited the huge latent heat of phase change materials to achieve the continuous curing of concrete, and electric heating coupled insides to provide phase change materials with enough heat energy to achieve repeated occurrence of phase change. Curing experiment results showed that concrete cured by this novel heat storage method gained excellent mechanical strength and accelerated hydration at the temperature of −15 °C. A numerical simulation was conducted to simulate the heat transfer and temperature evolution during one curing period. The numerical results presented well agreement with the experimental measurements, indicating the usability of numerical simulation to predict the temperature evolution of cold weather concrete and guide the structural parameter design of SHSPCM. This work provides insights into the quality control of concrete placed in extremely temperature, providing a safe and energy-saving solution for winter construction in cold region. ▪ •A novel expanded perlite-based form-stable hydrate salt phase change material was synthesized.•Synthetic heat storage form incorporating phase change materials was developed to cure cold weather concrete.•Compressive strength and hydration degree of concrete cured under synthetic heat storage form were significantly enhanced.•Structural parameter design of synthetic heat storage form was guided by finite element thermal model.