Experimental evaluation of cement mortars with phase change material incorporated via lightweight expanded clay aggregate

•High thermal energy storage and low mass are compatible in PCM-filled LWA mortars.•The thermal energy storage increase with PCM to a certain limit and then decrease.•Two processes to dry the surface of LWA pre-soaked in PCM were design.•The LWA surface dry with compressed air has advantages on mechanical properties.

ObjectiveAn experimental evaluation on cement mortars with phase change material (PCM) incorporated via lightweight aggregate (LWA) is reported.Materials and methodsThree groups of LWA mortars were produced: one with pre-soaked LWA and the others with PCM-filled LWA combining two different impregnation processes and PCM dosages of 50, 75 and 100 kg/m3 corresponding to the LWA contents of 242, 354 and 481 kg/m3, respectively. Mechanical and thermophysical properties were evaluated.ResultsThe results showed that high thermal inertia and low mass are compatible in PCM-filled LWA mortars and that the thermal response increases with the PCM to a certain limit and then decrease.