ABSTRACT

Terraces and external face members in buildings should preferably be made with materials which transmit low heat through them. This can help in limiting the energy required to maintain a desired temperature inside the structures. With this objective, various options to reduce thermal conductivity of cement concrete are investigated. Employing lightweight aggregates in concrete helps to attain lower conductivity. This paper presents test results of an experimental work with a new type of lightweight coarse aggregates, which are derived from E-waste plastics. Two different ways of getting aggregate from the scrap were explored in the study—Plastic aggregate-PA and the other-Melted plastic aggregate (MPA). Test results show that substantially less transmission of heat occurs through concrete when using waste plastic aggregates in place of conventional crushed rock aggregates.