High performance aerogel concrete

Abstract

We describe a new high performance aerogel loaded concrete, HPAC, that give architects a new freedom of construction for future energy saving buildings without an extra thermal protective skin, since the new construction material combines a high strength (10 MPa and more) with a low thermal conductivity of around 0.1 W/mK. The experimental results concerning density, compression strength and thermal conductivity are interpreted with the help of porous material theory. All interesting physical and mechanical properties can be described within this framework of modelling. An example of a two layered concrete shows that the combination of high strength HPAC with a very low thermally conducting HPAC in one stone allows to build multi-floor houses without additional thick thermally protective shields.