Thermal conductivity reduction and acoustic insulation enhancement in nanosilica-modified lightweight porcelanite concrete

This study investigates the thermal and acoustic insulation properties of lightweight concrete modified with nanosilica and porcelanite aggregates. Eight lightweight concrete formulations with varying nanosilica content (0%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%) and aggregate sizes (4 mm and 5 mm) were developed and tested. The results indicate that incorporating nanosilica significantly enhances both thermal conductivity and acoustic impedance. Concrete samples with 4 mm porcelanite and 1% nanosilica achieved a thermal conductivity reduction of 24.85%, while samples with 5 mm porcelanite and 2% nanosilica demonstrated an 8.42% increase in acoustic impedance. These findings underline the synergistic effects of nanosilica and aggregate size, providing insights for optimizing lightweight concrete performance in thermal and acoustic insulation applications.