The use of perlite in civil engineering applications

Abstract

In the last years, research applications in the construction sector have taken a different turn due to rapid urbanization and the necessity to protect the environment and create a balance between the natural and built environments. Taking into account the fact that the thermal efficiency of buildings has an important influence over the environmental performances of the construction sector, the civil engineering specialists have tried to develop and use different new solutions in order to improve this essential building characteristic. Thus, different new materials have been used with the goal of reducing the overall thermal transmittance of the envelope elements and of the total energy consumption needed for heating and cooling. Perlite is one of the materials that have been considered for developing new energy efficient construction applications. The main goal of the present paper is to present all the relevant solutions that have been developed and used in the construction sector that consider perlite as a component part. The present study is the first part of a more extensive research program that takes under evaluation the possibility of using perlite as a thermal insulating material for different constructions.

Lightweight Mortar Incorporating Expanded Perlite, Vermiculite, and Aerogel: A Study on the Thermal Behavior

“…The use of lightweight aggregates in the composition of insulating mortars and concretes has significant potential for improving the thermal performance of the cementitious material and, thus, reducing thermal losses. Lightweight aggregates can be derived from natural compounds, such as expanded perlite or vermiculite [12,13], waste, such as endof-life tires or industrial waste [14,15], and other industrial products, such as aerogel or expanded polystyrene (EPS) [16].…”

Comparative analysis of methods of introducing fine perlite into cement composition

“…Perlite demonstrate high adsorption and fire resistant properties, radiation protective and disinfecting characteristics [9][10][11][12][13], which expands the scope of its use in the production of building materials. The use of perlite in the composition of concretes, magnesia binders, dry building mixes, as a raw material component in the production of cement clinker and various types of composite materials is noted [7,[14][15][16][17][18]. The scientists study perlite as a finely dispersed component to the cement systems and its influence to the structure formation in the cement system [19][20][21].…”

Photocatalytic Degradation of Neonicotinoid Insecticides over Perlite-Supported TiO2

“…It is also used in agriculture and horticulture because, when mixed with soil, it has a positive effect on the soil, protecting it from excessive compaction by significantly improving aeration and preventing waterlogging. Perlite has also proved its worth in wastewater treatment, filtration of chemicals, and pharmaceuticals [30,31]. It is the ideal filter medium for large-volume, high-efficiency regenerative filters, swimming pools, and water parks.…”