Effect of different storage methods on thermal and mechanical properties of mortar containing aerogel, fly ash and nano-silica

In this study, changes occurring on the thermal and mechanical properties of the mortar samples depending on different storage conditions, which were prepared by replacement of 60% vol of the cement with aerogel, 50% w of the sand with fly ash, and by the addition of nano-silica in various concentrations (1-3% w), have been investigated. Findings indicated that the used best storage method is the method that specimens are kept in water for a week and then in air until the end of 28 days. The compressive strength values of the samples cured with the second method for 28 days were found to be in the range between 31 and 29.3 MPa. As for in the third method, which the samples were kept in water 28 days, the values have changed in the range between 28.9 and 26 MPa. On the other hand, it can be seen that the lowest values in compressive strength vary between 27.2 and 20.9 MPa, belong to the samples produced in the first storage condition which temperature, humidity and time are respectively 25 degrees C, 50% and 7 days. In the first method, following the first stage, the samples were then kept in the air-dried condition until the 28th day. Among thermal conductivity values, the lowest values were obtained for the samples produced with the first method, ranging between 0.762 and 0.865 W/m.K. and the highest values 0.918 1.051 W/m.K belong to the group conditioned in the third method. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.