Email : [email protected]

Follow Us:
 

Lightweight Concrete

Diminishing fossil fuel supplies, escalation of fuel prices coupled with global warming have hastened the need to adopt energy saving measures in many sectors including the construction industry. Solar heat entering a building through roofs and building envelope, i.e. walls via a conduction process needs to be curtailed in order to reduce the burden on air conditioning systems. This will result in lower electrical energy consumption and significant cost could be saved.

 

The cost to keep the occupants of buildings comfortable throughout the year is very significant and will continue to rise due to diminishing fossil fuel sources. Therefore, the use of low thermal conductivity building materials to insulate building envelope and roof which results in the reduction in air conditioning energy load requirements is receiving greater attention.

The present invention relates to a lightweight concrete or mortar panel and block which has a physically placed membrane encased inside the panel and block to further enhance its thermal and acoustic insulation capabilities and the method for producing the said concrete or mortar panel and block. The membrane is securely concealed within the panel or block and it is not visible externally which is different from sandwiched concept. The membrane can be made of old newspaper, rock wool, aluminum foil, plastic sheets, polystyrene sheets, plant leaves and any other suitable recycle or waste materials since the membrane is fully concealed. The membrane acts as a physical barrier to shield and reduce the heat incident on building wall from being transferred across the lightweight concrete panels and blocks and entered into the interior of the building. Furthermore, earthy soil is used in producing the aerated lightweight concrete panels and blocks. Thus, this reduces the dependency on sand since it is not easily available in certain part of Malaysia especially in Klang Valley.

Diminishing fossil fuel supplies, escalation of fuel prices coupled with global warming have hastened the need to adopt energy saving measures in many sectors including the construction industry. Solar heat entering a building through roofs and building envelope, i.e. walls via a conduction process needs to be curtailed in order to reduce the burden on air conditioning systems. This will result in lower electrical energy consumption and significant cost could be saved.

 

The cost to keep the occupants of buildings comfortable throughout the year is very significant and will continue to rise due to diminishing fossil fuel sources. Therefore, the use of low thermal conductivity building materials to insulate building envelope and roof which results in the reduction in air conditioning energy load requirements is receiving greater attention.

The present invention relates to a lightweight concrete or mortar panel and block which has a physically placed membrane encased inside the panel and block to further enhance its thermal and acoustic insulation capabilities and the method for producing the said concrete or mortar panel and block. The membrane is securely concealed within the panel or block and it is not visible externally which is different from sandwiched concept. The membrane can be made of old newspaper, rock wool, aluminum foil, plastic sheets, polystyrene sheets, plant leaves and any other suitable recycle or waste materials since the membrane is fully concealed. The membrane acts as a physical barrier to shield and reduce the heat incident on building wall from being transferred across the lightweight concrete panels and blocks and entered into the interior of the building. Furthermore, earthy soil is used in producing the aerated lightweight concrete panels and blocks. Thus, this reduces the dependency on sand since it is not easily available in certain part of Malaysia especially in Klang Valley.

The lightness of concrete or mortar block and panel is created by the entrapment of air into the concrete mixture to a targeted density during casting. Thermal and acoustic insulation properties are attained by:

The presence of a plurality of minute non-interlocking air pockets entrapped within the panel or block and

The encasement of a physical membrane in the lightweight concrete or mortar mixture during the production of the said panel and block.

Alternatively the lightness of concrete or mortar block and panel is created by the distribution of lightweight aggregate, polystyrene beads and other lightweight materials in the concrete mixture. The presence of lightweight aggregate, polystyrene beads and other lightweight materials also contributes to thermal and acoustic insulation properties. Figures below show the drawings and photographs of membrane encased aerated lightweight concrete blocks and panels.

The lightness of concrete or mortar block and panel is created by the entrapment of air into the concrete mixture to a targeted density during casting. Thermal and acoustic insulation properties are attained by:

The presence of a plurality of minute non-interlocking air pockets entrapped within the panel or block and

The encasement of a physical membrane in the lightweight concrete or mortar mixture during the production of the said panel and block.

Alternatively the lightness of concrete or mortar block and panel is created by the distribution of lightweight aggregate, polystyrene beads and other lightweight materials in the concrete mixture. The presence of lightweight aggregate, polystyrene beads and other lightweight materials also contributes to thermal and acoustic insulation properties. Figures below show the drawings and photographs of membrane encased aerated lightweight concrete blocks and panels.

The thermal conductivity of a construction material plays a key role in the energy efficient aspect of the building constructed. It is highly desirous for a construction material to have a low thermal conductivity to ensure the indoor environment is maintained at a comfortable temperature regardless of the outdoor environment. It is found that the membrane encasement is effective in reducing the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity properties of aerated lightweight concrete panels and blocks. Thus, it is able to reduce the heat from being transferred into the building and minimise the dependency on air-conditioning system. There is cost savings when the reliance on air conditioning is lesser.

The use of membrane encased aerated lightweight concrete blocks and panels for building envelope reduces the construction cost in particular the foundation and structural members cost. The lightness of aerated lightweight concrete allows smaller member of beams and columns which eventually reduces the foundation size. This also indirectly promotes efficient use of building materials. Furthermore, membrane encased aerated lightweight concrete blocks and panels are categorized as industrialized building system (IBS). Thus, it inherits the benefits of IBS construction namely quality finishes, time saving, reduce the dependency on foreign workers and environmentally friendly.

 

In conclusion, the patented product will assist to lower electrical energy consumption, saving cost for the consumers, time saving and more importantly preserve the diminishing natural resources thus the environment. This is a truly Green Technology.

The thermal conductivity of a construction material plays a key role in the energy efficient aspect of the building constructed. It is highly desirous for a construction material to have a low thermal conductivity to ensure the indoor environment is maintained at a comfortable temperature regardless of the outdoor environment. It is found that the membrane encasement is effective in reducing the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity properties of aerated lightweight concrete panels and blocks. Thus, it is able to reduce the heat from being transferred into the building and minimise the dependency on air-conditioning system. There is cost savings when the reliance on air conditioning is lesser.

The use of membrane encased aerated lightweight concrete blocks and panels for building envelope reduces the construction cost in particular the foundation and structural members cost. The lightness of aerated lightweight concrete allows smaller member of beams and columns which eventually reduces the foundation size. This also indirectly promotes efficient use of building materials. Furthermore, membrane encased aerated lightweight concrete blocks and panels are categorized as industrialized building system (IBS). Thus, it inherits the benefits of IBS construction namely quality finishes, time saving, reduce the dependency on foreign workers and environmentally friendly.

 

In conclusion, the patented product will assist to lower electrical energy consumption, saving cost for the consumers, time saving and more importantly preserve the diminishing natural resources thus the environment. This is a truly Green Technology.

The Membrane Encased Lightweight Blocks have undergone a series of stringent tests, both conducted at the university well-equipped laboratory. The product has also satisfied the Fire Resistance Test (BS 476: Part 22: 1987 Clause 5) as conducted by SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd. Thermal Insulation Test (ISO 8990 : 1994) conducted by SIRIM confirmed the product has good thermal insulation properties.

 

Additionally, the development of the lightweight concrete mixture has also lead to other pertinent applications. The ability to formulate lightweight concrete of diverse density and strength has thus found its use as material for filling of cavity, approach slab in addition to its use for production of lightweight concrete blocks/panels.

The Membrane Encased Lightweight Blocks have undergone a series of stringent tests, both conducted at the university well-equipped laboratory. The product has also satisfied the Fire Resistance Test (BS 476: Part 22: 1987 Clause 5) as conducted by SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd. Thermal Insulation Test (ISO 8990 : 1994) conducted by SIRIM confirmed the product has good thermal insulation properties.

 

Additionally, the development of the lightweight concrete mixture has also lead to other pertinent applications. The ability to formulate lightweight concrete of diverse density and strength has thus found its use as material for filling of cavity, approach slab in addition to its use for production of lightweight concrete blocks/panels.

Let’s Work Together

If you have questions or feedback, we would like to know.