A numerical model is developed to describe the thermal conductivity, hydration, and moisture content of Portland cement mortar specimens. In order to develop the model, the thermal conductivity and specific heat of the mortar specimens were measured using the transient plane source method. The model was able to correctly describe the evolution of heat and the degree of hydration in both semi-adiabatic and steam curing conditions....
Monolithic silica aerogels were synthesized with very low thermal conductivity (0.036 W/mK) and high porosity (97%) via ambient pressure drying. This method of drying replaces supercritical drying which is more costly and dangerous. The aerogel was derived from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and treatment with trimethylchlorosilane. NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy were used for characterization of surface bonding and contact angles. Using the multiple surface modification (MSM) method allowed the authors to generate an ...
