Mohammad Kheradmand

Thermal mortars with incorporation of PCM microcapsules

The main purpose of this work is the production of a mortar with incorporation of Phase Change Materials (PCM) microcapsules, which must have a compromise between workability, mechanical strength and aesthetic appearance. The mortars studied in this work are mixed mortars of lime and gypsum. The proportion of PCM is 0 %, 10 %, 20 % and 30 %. In order to minimize some problems associated with shrinkage and consequent cracking of the mortars, the incorporation of nylon fibers, superplasticizer and gypsum was tested. A study of mechanical characteristics and some sensitivity tests for qualify the shrinkage of the fifteen compositions was realized. In this way, one composition for the application in tests cells was selected, with the aim of studying the thermal behaviour of these mortars. The test performed on test cells includes the study of a standard mortar without addition of PCM and a mortar with incorporation of an ideal percentage of PCM. Based on the obtained results it was possible to conclude that the incorporation of PCM microcapsules in the studied mortars causes an increase in mechanical strengths and shrinkage. The tests performed on test cells allowed to verify a time lag in maximum and minimum temperatures, as well as a slight attenuation in the temperature variation. It can be concluded that the use of PCM microcapsules in mixed mortars of lime and gypsum can be assumed as a viable solution for applications in the construction industry once these present a compromise between their resistance, aesthetic appearance and thermal behaviour.

Mortars with Phase Change Materials: Contribute to Sustainable Construction

In a society with a high growth rate and increased standards of comfort arises the need to minimize the currently high energy consumption by taking advantage of renewable energy sources. The mortars with incorporation of phase change materials (PCM) have the ability to regulate the temperature inside buildings, contributing to the thermal comfort and reduction of the use of heating and cooling equipment, using only the energy supplied by the sun. This paper aims to contribute to the study of mortars incorporating PCM. The main characteristics of the material and the mortars doped with PCM, will be presented. It also aims to clarify the differences in the physical and mechanical characteristics of mortars doped with different types of PCM.

Short-term compressive strength of fly ash and waste glass alkali-activated cement based binder (AACB) mortars with two biopolymers

AbstractThe Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe aims that by 2020, waste will be managed as a resource. Thus materials that have the ability for the reuse of several types of wastes, such as alk...

Thermal Performance of Resource-Efficient Geopolymeric Mortars Containing Phase Change Materials

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for the frame of research project with Ref. IF/00706/2014-UM.2.15 as well as C-TAC and ISISE research units.

Performance of a Fly Ash Geopolymeric Based Binder with Calcium Hydroxide, Portland Cement and Metakaolin as Additives

Funding: This study was funded by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the frame of project IF/00706/2014-UM.2.15.

Alkali-activated cement-based binder mortars containing phase change materials (PCMs): mechanical properties and cost analysis

Abstract Energy efficiency is not only the most cost-effective way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions but also a way to improve competitiveness and create employment. EU aims to achieve nearly zero-energy (public) building (NZEB) by the end of 2018 (2020 for private buildings). This very ambitious target would be more easily fulfilled if high-performance thermal materials like phase change materials-PCMs are to be used. This paper reports experimental results on the properties of fly ash-based alkali-activated binder-AACB mortars in which a minor percentage of aggregates were replaced by PCMs. These include compression strength, at normal temperature and also at high temperatures, flexural strength, density, water absorption, unrestrained shrinkage as well as cost analysis. Several AACB mixtures showed an increase in compressive strength after being exposed to high temperatures. Since PCMs are made of flammable materials and AACB mortars show a much higher stability at high temperature than Portland cement-based mortars this means that AACB mortars are more suitable for PCM incorporation. This is a very important feature because flammable insulation materials were reported to be the cause of the recent Grenfell Tower fire tragedy that made 71 victims.