Concrete as a thermal mass material for building applications - A review

Identifying new energy saving methods in the building sector is essential due to limited natural energy sources and the rising population. Thermal mass materials have the ability to absorb and store heat before releasing it later on when necessary. They act as heat sinks during the daytime and as heat sources during the nighttime. Thermal performance is evaluated according to the specific heat capacity and specific latent heat. Applying thermal mass materials such as concrete is deemed a suitable strategy to reduce the energy consumption of buildings. Concrete with low thermal conductivity and high specific heat capacity is desirable in building construction. The aim of this study is to review factors affecting the heat storage capacity of concrete. In addition, common measurement methods of cement-based materials' thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity are reviewed. Various studies reveal that temperature, humidity, aggregate type, cementitious material type as well as phase change material (PCM) used influence the thermal properties of concrete. The advantages and limitations of PCM-concrete are also summarized in this study.