Improving the Concrete Slab Insulation by using Pine Needle Fiber

Abstract

Improving the thermal efficiency of roof slabs is crucial in tropical climates to mitigate the operational energy consumption of buildings, as heat transfer through roofs significantly influences this aspect. Therefore, incorporating passive solutions becomes imperative to address and optimize the thermal performance of roof slabs in such environments. Cracks in the slabs increases the thermal conductivity, adversely increases the heat transfer rate through slabs. Enhancing the flexural, compressive, and splitting tensile strengths of concrete presents a viable approach to controlling the rate of cracking in concrete slabs by using pine needle fibre, thereby mitigating thermal conductivity. Results indicates that longer fibres and higher fibre content provide higher energy absorption.