IMPACT OF SODIUM SILICATE PENTAHYDRATE AS PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL IN CONCRETE CUBES FOR ENHANCING THE THERMAL COMFORT

In the present study, the impact of Phase Change Material (PCM) on M20 grade concrete is studied experimentally. Concrete cubes were tested by the addition of different weight percentage (0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.25 wt. percentage of cement) of sodium silicate pentahydrate as PCM. The concrete cubes were tested for X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) analysis, compressive strength and thermal energy storage measurement. XRD pattern of the concrete revealed the presence of sodium silicate pentahydrate without any chemical reaction with cement. Compressive strength test was performed for evaluating the strength of the M20 grade concrete cubes with the addition of PCM. The experimental results reveal the optimum percentage of PCM to be added for giving maximum thermal energy storage in concrete cubes and it is evident from the results there is reduction in temperature to improve the thermal comfort.