Cement-Based Materials with Solid–Gel Phase Change Materials for Improving Energy Efficiency of Building Envelope
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 11
Abstract
This paper evaluated the cement-based materials incorporated with novel solid–gel phase change materials (PCMs) for improving the energy efficiency of building envelopes. This novel PCM is form-stable, which will not leak as solid–liquid PCMs do and not need encapsulation, and it features high energy-storage capacity. Experimental results showed that the thermal properties of cement-based materials were improved as the increase of PCM content. A 30% replacement of sand by volume with PCM can increase the latent heat of the mixture from around 0 to and decrease the thermal conductivity of PCM mortar based on the generalized self-consistent (GSC) model by about 20%. However, the workability and mechanical properties were compromised. The simulation results indicated that 30% PCM-incorporated walls can contribute to 5% energy saving for cooling in a whole year and 12% reduction in peak cooling load compared with the reference without PCM. The proposed PCM composite offers a promising avenue to achieve energy-efficient building envelopes.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published paper.
Acknowledgments
This research was partially funded by National Science and Foundation (Award No. CMMI 2046407) and New Jersey Department of Transportation [Task Order 349—Bridge Resource Program (2017–2020), contract ID No. 17-60139, Federal Project No. D00S237].
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Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35 • Issue 11 • November 2023
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Nov 3, 2022
Accepted: Apr 18, 2023
Published online: Sep 5, 2023
Published in print: Nov 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Feb 5, 2024
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