Mechanical behavior, energy-storing properties and thermal reliability of phase-changing energy-storing concrete

Phase-changing energy-storing concrete (PCESC) was prepared by phase-changing energy-storing aggregates (PCESA) replacing a certain percentage of sand. The compressive strength test evaluated the mechanical behavior of PCESC. The SEM imaging and DSC analysis were performed to identify the microstructure and energy-storing properties of PCESC, respectively. The thermal cycle test was used to determine the thermal reliability of PCESC. The test results showed that the PCESA remain intact in PCESC. The compressive strength of PCESC with 20% PCESA is 45.08 MPa, and its equivalent energy storage increases by 82.73%. Besides, the compressive strength of PCESC after 100 thermal cycles is 48.29 MPa, and the equivalent energy storage decrease by 10.55%. Therefore, the PCESC with 20% PCESA maintains satisfactory performance in terms of energy-storing properties and thermal reliability.