Lightweight mortar incorporating expanded perlite, vermiculite, and aerogel: a study on the thermal behavior

Abstract

Climate change is compelling countries to alter their construction and urbanization policies to minimize their impact on the environment. The European Union has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55%, recognizing that 50% of its emissions originate from maintaining thermal comfort within buildings. As a response, the EU has developed comprehensive legislation on energy efficiency. In this article, special mortars using aerogel, perlite, and vermiculite as lightweight aggregates were prepared and studied to enhance the thermal properties of the mortar. Their thermal properties were examined and, using a solar simulator for both hot and cold conditions, it was found that varying proportions of these lightweight aggregates resulted in a mortar that provided insulation from the exterior up to 7 °C more than the reference mortar in warm conditions and up to 4.5 °C in cold conditions.