Structural Optimization and Application Research of Alkali-Activated Slag Ceramsite Compound Insulation Block Based on Finite Element Method

The research and application of new wall materials have been attracting increasing attention owing to the continuous promotion of sustainable development in the building industry. An alkali-activated slag ceramsite compound insulation block (AASCCIB) is used as the research object. Based on the finite element method, the effects of different numbers of hole rows and hole ratios on the thermal and mechanical performances of AASCCIBs are analyzed using ANSYS CFX. On this basis, the AASCCIB with the optimal comprehensive performance is determined by a multi-objective optimization analysis. Finally, the improvement effect of the AASCCIB wall on the indoor thermal environment relative to an ordinary block (OB) wall is quantitatively analyzed using ANSYS CFX. The results show that the von Mises equivalent stress and heat transfer coefficient of the AASCCIB decrease with the increase in the hole ratio when the hole shape and number of hole rows are constant. AASCCIB B1 has the optimal comprehensive performance among six AASCCIBs, with the heat transfer coefficient and average von Mises equivalent stress of 0.446 W/(m2∙K) and 9.52 MPa, respectively. Compared with the indoor lowest and average temperatures of the building with the OB wall, those of the building with the AASCCIB wall increased by at least 1.39 and 0.82 °C on the winter solstice, respectively. The indoor temperature difference decreased by at least 0.83 °C. In addition, the indoor highest temperature, average temperature, and temperature difference decreased by at least 1.75, 0.79, and 1.89 °C on the summer solstice, respectively.

Preparation of Fiber Reinforced Silica Aerogel Block

Silica aerogels are lightweight, highly porous nanomaterial with extremely large internal surface area but fragile and brittleness. To enhance the applicability of aerogels, fiber reinforced silica aerogel insulation blocks are prepared by frothing method. Polyurethane emulsion acts as binder whereas polyethylene (PE) fiber and polyurethane (PU) fiber is used as reinforcing phase. The effect of polyethylene fiber and polyurethane fiber on the performance of composites were characterized by material's chemical microscopic morphology, compression performance, recovery performance, surface area, thermal conductivity and hydrophobicity. The research results show that the prepared PU fiber reinforced silica aerogel insulation block has excellent comprehensive performance. The water absorption rate of decreased from 19.35% (0 phr, PU fiber) to 6% (20 phr, PU fiber), and comprehensive rebound rate was increased by 97.83% at 20 phr PU fiber compared with pure insulation block (83.88%). Meanwhile, the dimensional stability of the composite aerogel block is above 96%. PU fiber reinforced silica aerogel insulation block has light weight, good hydrophobicity and good thermal and mechanical properties, so it has a wide range of application prospects in the field of insulation.

Numerical Simulation Study on the Front Shape and Thermal Stresses in Growing Multicrystalline Silicon Ingot: Process and Structural Design

In this paper, a transient numerical simulation method is used to investigate the effects of the two furnace configurations on the thermal field: the shape of the melt–crystal (M/C) interface and the thermal stress in the growing multicrystalline ingot. First, four different power ratios (top power to side power) are investigated, and then three positions (i.e., the vertical, angled, and horizontal positions) of the insulation block are compared with the conventional setup. The power ratio simulation results show that with a descending power ratio, the M/C interface becomes flatter and the thermal stress in the solidified ingot is lower. In our cases, a power ratio of 1:3–1:4 is more feasible for high-quality ingot. The block’s position simulation results indicate that the horizontal block can more effectively reduce the radial temperature gradient, resulting in a flatter M/C interface and lower thermal stress.

Out-of-Plane Shaking Table Tests on Seismic Response of RC Frame Infilled with a New Type of Shale Fired Heat-Insulation Blocks

Shale fired heat-insulation block, which is made of shale, fly ash, building rubbish, and waste paper, is a new type environment-friendly product. In order to study the mechanical properties of shale fired heat-insulation block walls, four full-scale walls were tested under El-Centro, Taft, and Ninghe earthquakes using shaking table equipment, in which the influence of the spacing of cast-in-place belt and the connection between the wall and the frame on the out-of-plane seismic performance of the wall was taken into account. The subject of this study is mainly about out-of-plane dynamic response of masonry walls in terms of frequency, displacement, and acceleration. It could be concluded that the cast-in-place belt and the rigid connection between wall and RC frame could effectively reduce the out-of-plane seismic response of the infill masonry wall. Finally, the recommendations for the use of this type of block in the structure are given.

On the Seismic Performance of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Self-Insulation Block Walls

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) self-insulation block masonry is often used for the infill walls in steel and concrete frame structures. To work together with the frame under earthquake action, it is essential to understand the seismic behavior of AAC self-insulation block masonry walls. In this paper, six AAC self-insulation block masonry walls were experimentally studied under the pseudo static test. The load-displacement hysteretic curves were drawn with the test data. The failure characteristics, loading capacity, stiffness degeneration, energy dissipation capacity and hysteretic behavior are analyzed. The results indicate that the blocks underwent internal failure due to the lower strength with a larger size, but the walls had good energy dissipation capacity with a rational bearing capacity. Accompanied by the influence of vertical compressive stress on the top surface of the walls, the cracking resistance, ultimate bearing capacity, deformability and energy dissipation capacity of the walls were affected by the masonry mortar joints. Comparatively, the walls with thin-layer mortar joints had better seismic performance than those with insulation mortar joints or with vertical joints filled by mineral wool plates. Finally, the shear capacity of the walls under seismic load is evaluated referring to the formulas of current design codes for masonry walls.

Fundamental Properties and Thermal Transferability of Masonry Built by Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Self-Insulation Blocks

This paper performed a detailed study on the fundamental properties and thermal conductivity of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) self-insulation block, and the mechanical properties and heat transfer resistance of the AAC self-insulation block masonry. Different kinds of joints and the plastering surface were used to build the masonry specimens. The distinctive feature of the blocks and mortars is the lower thermal conductivity with expected strength. Compared to those with larger thickness of insulation mortar joints, the masonry with thin-layer mortar joints had better compressive performance and lower shear strength. The compressive strength of masonry was related with the block and mortar strengths, the shear strength of masonry along mortar joints was related with the mortar strength. The stress–strain relationship of masonry in compression could be predicted by the similar expression of conventional block masonry. The tested heat transfer coefficient of AAC self-insulation block masonry with thickness of 250 mm without plastering surfaces was (0.558 ± 0.003) W/(m2·K). With the plastering surfaces, the heat transfer coefficient reduced by 4.4% to 8.9%. Good agreements in values of heat transfer coefficient existed by using the test, theoretical computation and ANSYS (ANSYS Inc. Canonsburg, PA, USA) analytical methods. Based on the extensibility analyses, the heat transfer coefficients of AAC self-insultation block masonry with different thickness are proposed. The best thickness is proposed for the outer walls of residential buildings in different cold zone to meet the design requirement of energy conservation.