Article
Chemistry, Physical
Antonella Sarcinella, Jose Luis Barroso de Aguiar, Mariaenrica Frigione
Summary: The aim of this study was to develop a form-stable phase change material (PCM) that can reduce the use of nonrenewable energy resources for heating and cooling buildings in different climatic conditions. The researchers used vacuum impregnation to produce a sustainable PCM from waste stone granules and a low-toxicity polyethylene glycol. The thermal properties and stability of the PCM were evaluated, and it was added to lime-based mortar for potential application in ancient buildings.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
E. Haily, H. Ait Ousaleh, N. Zari, A. Faik, R. Bouhfid, A. Qaiss
Summary: This study introduces a novel geopolymer matrix containing fatty acids encapsulated in polyurethane foam as phase change materials (PCMs). The geopolymer mortar with PCM showed a continuous three-dimensional network and suitable operating temperature range (10-22°C) with good energy storage capacity (Delta Hf = 164 J/g). The addition of PCM slightly reduced the compressive strength but still met the mechanical requirements for construction applications, and significantly improved the heat capacity and slightly reduced the thermal conductivity of the composites. The geopolymer mortar with the highest PCM content shows promise for developing energy-efficient buildings in the future, with good thermal performance and acceptable mechanical strength.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Urbashi Bordoloi, Dudul Das, Devarshi Kashyap, Deepak Patwa, Plaban Bora, Harrison Hihu Muigai, Pankaj Kalita
Summary: The investigation explores suitable materials for providing shape stability to organic phase change materials (PCM). Biochar is found to be suitable for encapsulating melted PCM. The composites are compared based on their heat of fusion and thermal conductivity.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Shi Chen, Ruiqi Wang, Huashan Bao, Anthony Paul Roskilly, Zhiwei Ma
Summary: In this paper, a composite PCM with form-stable property is used for passive cooling of electric car battery. The results show that integrating composite PCM with forced air convection can effectively prevent battery from heat accumulation and reduce the core temperature. The addition of 4.6 wt% graphite to the composite PCM greatly improves its heat absorption capacity, while forced air convection with 20 m³/s velocity has better cooling behavior than PCM alone.
CASE STUDIES IN THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Crystallography
Kaixin Dong, Nan Sheng, Deqiu Zou, Cheng Wang, Xuemei Yi, Takahiro Nomura
Summary: The study developed a paraffin-wax-based phase change composite (PCC) using a new type of carbon fiber network material as the supporting matrix to improve the heat transfer properties. The PCC displayed significantly enhanced thermal conductivity, stability, and durability, offering a potential strategy for the development of anisotropic high-thermal-conductivity PCCs for latent heat storage systems.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Antonella Sarcinella, Jose Luis Barroso de Aguiar, Mariaenrica Frigione
Summary: In this study, two form-stable phase change materials were produced using low-cost, low-environmental-impact polymers. These materials were added to different types of mortars, and the results showed that suitable workability and mechanical properties can be achieved with the proper selection of mortar formulations. Additionally, the choice of polymer type can make the phase change materials suitable for applications in different climate conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tingting Wu, Yanxin Hu, Xianqing Liu, Changhong Wang
Summary: The paper introduces a new composite phase change material (SCPCM) with higher shape stability and lower contact thermal resistance compared to the previous CPCM. Additionally, an active PCM thermal management system was designed to optimize the thermal management performance of the battery module. Experimental results showed good thermal management performance of SCPCM at low discharge rates, with the water cooling coupled with PCM cooling (W-PCM) method consistently demonstrating the best thermal performance.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Cynthia Guardia, Gonzalo Barluenga, Irene Palomar
Summary: Using microencapsulated paraffin wax Phase Change Materials (PCM) in cement-lime mortars with cellulose fibres and lightweight aggregates can enhance energy efficiency of buildings. This study evaluates the thermal performance and energy storage capacity of mortars with PCM, cellulose fibres, and lightweight aggregates under different thermal conditions.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Widya Nurul Jannah, Ahmad Taufiq, Siti Zulaikah, Arif Hidayat, Edi Suharyadi, Sigit Tri Wicaksono, Sunaryono Sunaryono
Summary: This study has successfully developed Fe3O4-Graphene/PEG-SiO2 phase change materials and investigated their properties. The results show that the material has a high latent calorific value, making it suitable for heat storage applications.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Dileep Kumar, Morshed Alam, Jay Sanjayan, Muhammad Harris
Summary: Phase change materials (PCM) can reduce energy consumption and improve thermal comfort in buildings. However, there are limitations in integrating PCM into construction materials, primarily due to the selection of suitable porous materials. This study aimed to select the most suitable porous material for developing Form Stable PCM (FSPCM) cement composite for concrete panels in building envelopes. Five different porous materials were considered based on their porosity, geometry, and surface morphology, and the performance of the synthesized FSPCM composite was evaluated. The study revealed that silica aerogel granules (SAG) had the highest PCM absorption capacity, while recycled expanded glass (REG) had lower absorption capacity. The Capric Acid/Hydrophobic expanded Perlite (CAHEP) showed the best overall performance in terms of absorption, thermal conductivity, strength, thermal inertia, latent heat storage, and thermal storage.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Antonella Sarcinella, Jose Luis Barroso de Aguiar, Carlos Jesus, Mariaenrica Frigione
Summary: The purpose of a phase change material (PCM) is to store/release energy during its transition from solid to liquid state, having suitable melting/crystallization temperatures comparable to environmental temperatures. The inclusion of a PCM in construction elements helps to reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling of buildings, provided that the phase transition range corresponds to the environmental temperature variation. Therefore, identifying suitable PCMs for different climate zones is crucial.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mariaenrica Frigione, Antonella Sarcinella, Jose Luis Barroso de Aguiar
Summary: The research focuses on the usage of phase-change materials (PCMs) to reduce the energy consumption in heating/cooling of buildings. The originality lies in the selection of suitable polymers as PCMs for different climatic conditions, and the use of low-toxic, low-flammability polymers in waste stone fragments to produce sustainable PCMs. These PCMs were added to mortars and proved to improve indoor temperature in plasters.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ana Kontic, Graca Vasconcelos, Carolina Briceno Melendez, Miguel Azenha, Neda Sokolovic
Summary: This study analyzed the physical, mechanical, and carbonation progress properties of lime mortars with air entrainers, aiming to investigate the influence of air entrainers on these properties. The samples were cured under two conditions, and their properties were evaluated at different time intervals. The results showed that the addition of air entrainers affected the dynamics between drying and carbonation processes, thereby influencing the rate of carbonation process. This observation was reflected in the carbonation progress as well as the physical and mechanical properties of the samples.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Mao Serikawa, Kensaku Mabuchi, Makoto Satoh, Yoshinobu Nozue, Yoshihiko Hayashi, Masahiro Yokoyama
Summary: Phase change materials (PCMs) can absorb and release a large amount of heat during phase changes, contributing to temperature stabilization. The hysteresis phenomenon should be comprehended and evaluated for the adequate design of PCMs. Different trends in behavior depend on the types of PCMs, and the phase change temperatures during heating and cooling processes may vary.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Review
Anthropology
Duygu Ergenc, Rafael Fort, Maria J. Varas-Muriel, Monica Alvarez de Buergo
Summary: This paper reviews the prominent features of aerial mortars and plasters, their main characteristics, and the various characterization methods including both traditional and advanced technology. The paper also provides a detailed explanation of microscopic characterization techniques and scientific advances in dating and provenance studies.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ana Mafalda Matos, Jose Granja, Sandra Nunes, Jose L. Barroso-Aguiar, Miguel Azenha
Summary: This study provides an integrated analysis of autogenous shrinkage, isothermal calorimetry, and modulus of elasticity measurement to characterize the hardening behavior of a non-proprietary and eco-friendly ultra-high performance fiber reinforced cementitious composite (UHPFRC). The results show that induction period ends at 3 hours and hydration heat rapidly evolves up to 9 hours. Autogenous shrinkage increases significantly in the first 6 hours, followed by a dramatic reduction in the slope of the curves. The modulus of elasticity exhibits a typical cementitious material S-shaped curve, reaching 37 GPa at 7 days. The use of the EMM-ARM method is of utmost importance for evaluating stiffness-related properties of UHPC/UHPFRC since casting age, allowing for the optimization of its properties without wasting time and resources. The UHPFRC developed with a lower amount of cement and silica fume reduces heat of hydration, shrinkage, costs, and ecological footprint without significantly affecting the MOE.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sandra Cunha, Daniel Costa, Jose B. Aguiar, Fernando Castro
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the influence of waste treatment methods on the physical and mechanical properties of mortar. The results showed that washing residues were effective in eliminating expansibility and water absorption of the mortar, resulting in increased flexural and compression strength.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Antonio Turco, Anna Grazia Monteduro, Francesco Montagna, Elisabetta Primiceri, Mariaenrica Frigione, Giuseppe Maruccio
Summary: Carbon nanotube polymeric composites have been widely developed in piezoresistive sensors, but they are less sensitive and cannot be tuned to adapt to different applications compared to carbon aerogels. By modifying solvent dilution, we fabricated porous piezoresistive nanocomposites with different detection limits, working ranges, and sensitivities.
Article
Polymer Science
Amina Aragosa, Benedetta Saccomanno, Valeria Specchia, Mariaenrica Frigione
Summary: This study aims to utilize agro-industrial residues as a carbon source to synthesize a biodegradable bio-based polymer called polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). Strain 1B isolated from argan soil was identified as belonging to the genus Sphingomonas. The PHB production was optimized by selecting physical and nutritional parameters, and the use of argan residues led to higher yield compared to simple sugars.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mariaenrica Frigione, Antonella Sarcinella, Jose Luis Barroso de Aguiar
Summary: The research focuses on the usage of phase-change materials (PCMs) to reduce the energy consumption in heating/cooling of buildings. The originality lies in the selection of suitable polymers as PCMs for different climatic conditions, and the use of low-toxic, low-flammability polymers in waste stone fragments to produce sustainable PCMs. These PCMs were added to mortars and proved to improve indoor temperature in plasters.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Antonella Sarcinella, Mariaenrica Frigione
Summary: The protection of concrete structures is crucial to increase their service life and reduce maintenance costs. Traditional coatings are based on petroleum derivatives, but in order to protect human health and the environment, research has focused on finding alternative materials. This review analyzes and presents new sustainable products that can be used as protective treatments for concrete, including natural and waste materials.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Sandra Cunha, Antonella Sarcinella, Jose Aguiar, Mariaenrica Frigione
Summary: The construction industry plays a major role in high energy consumption, particularly in heating and cooling needs of buildings. This has gained significant attention from the scientific community, governments, and authorities worldwide, especially in the European Union, due to recent international conflicts that prompted countries to reconsider their energy policies. Historic energy consumption has heavily relied on non-renewable sources like natural gas, oil, and coal. Urgent measures are needed to minimize these high-energy consumptions and transition towards clean and renewable energy sources. In recent years, phase change materials (PCM) have garnered significant interest and development for their ability to reduce energy consumption in buildings by utilizing solar energy through thermal storage. This study provides a perspective on the evolution and application of thermal storage technology with the incorporation of PCM in the construction sector, focusing on the latest 10 years of research and showcasing recent developments in application across construction materials such as mortars, concrete, porous aggregates, naturally-based materials, carbon-based materials, boards, blocks, and solar thermal systems.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
S. Cunha, J. Aguiar, F. Martins
Summary: In order to contribute to a more sustainable planet, reducing the energy bill has become crucial nowadays. The use of materials that enhance the energy efficiency of buildings, such as mortars incorporating phase change materials (PCM), plays a significant role in achieving this objective. This study developed various mortars with different PCM contents, using different binders, and employed data mining techniques such as artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machines (SVM), and multiple linear regressions (MLR) to predict the compressive and flexural strengths of these mortars under different exposure temperatures. The results indicated that ANN models had the highest predictive capacity for both compressive and flexural strengths, while SVM models showed a flexural strength forecasting capacity very close to ANN models.
MATERIALES DE CONSTRUCCION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Teresa Silvestri, Paola Di Donato, Irene Bonadies, Annarita Poli, Mariaenrica Frigione, Marco Biondi, Laura Mayol
Summary: The widespread use of synthetic plastics and the waste generated at the end of their life cycle have significant environmental impacts. Bio-based plastics, made from renewable resources, offer a promising alternative to petroleum-based materials. The food industry's waste is one potential source of biopolymers, which can provide a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to waste management. This study aims to extract polysaccharide fractions from lemon, tomato, and fennel waste and characterize their chemical-physical and thermodynamic properties. The solubility of the extracted polysaccharides in different solvents was determined, and acid-base titration and thermoanalytical tests were conducted. The feasibility of electrospinning waste polysaccharides to obtain polysaccharide-based membranes was also investigated. Electrospun fibers could be a promising structure/system for applying waste polysaccharides in packaging or well-being applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhiyou Jia, Jose Aguiar, Sandra Cunha, Carlos de Jesus
Summary: This study prepared a green thermal aggregate by combining PCM with RA, and found that the amount of PCM absorbed depends on the porosity of the matrix material, leading to a decrease in the compressive strength of concrete as the green aggregate increases.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Antonella Sarcinella, Jose Luis Barroso de Aguiar, Carlos Jesus, Mariaenrica Frigione
Summary: The purpose of a phase change material (PCM) is to store/release energy during its transition from solid to liquid state, having suitable melting/crystallization temperatures comparable to environmental temperatures. The inclusion of a PCM in construction elements helps to reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling of buildings, provided that the phase transition range corresponds to the environmental temperature variation. Therefore, identifying suitable PCMs for different climate zones is crucial.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Qi Jiang, Wei Liu, Shaopeng Wu, Xuanwen Gou
Summary: This study analyzes the erosion mechanisms of NaCl solution on asphalt concrete and finds that NaCl solution softens asphalt and promotes the intrusion of crystalline salt into it. Salt crystallization alters the surface roughness of aggregates, resulting in a decrease in skid resistance but an improvement in compressive strength. Additionally, the concentration of NaCl solution initially has no significant impact on the mechanical performance of asphalt concrete, but its domination gradually increases with the intensification of cyclic effects.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Lili Kan, Lan-qing Dai, Ning Kong, Bin Peng, Fei Wang
Summary: This paper investigates the effect of freezing and thawing cycles on the tensile behavior of cracked ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). The results show that long-term freezing and thawing action deteriorates the cracking strength, tensile strength, tensile strain, and strain energy of cracked UHPC. On the other hand, the action of water generally favors the development of tensile properties of UHPC. The crack distribution tends to be unsaturated under freezing and thawing environment, and the re-hydration reaction is hindered. The pore structure near the crack varies under different environments.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Xin Xiao, Jingwei Li, Qingke Meng, Xiangshan Hou, Yanhui Liu, Xujiang Wang, Wenlong Wang, Shengtao Lu, Yuzhong Li, Yanpeng Mao, Tong Li
Summary: Preparing gypsum-based self-leveling mortar (GSLM) using beta-hemihydrate gypsum and solid wastes-derived sulfoaluminate cement (WSAC) can improve the mechanical performance of the mortar, but phosphorus impurities can weaken the hydration speed and degree.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sihang Bao, Junzhen Di, Yanrong Dong, Ziqing Gao, Qing Gu, Yuanfang Zhao, Hongyu Zhai
Summary: Tailings dam break and leakage accidents pose a threat to the safety of people in mining areas and cause severe environmental pollution. This study focuses on solidifying tailing sand using microbial induced calcite precipitation (MICP) to improve strength and fix heavy metals. The curing time of MICP bio-cemented tailings is found to significantly impact the strength of tailings, while its effect on heavy metal fixation is minimal. The optimized MICP curing time is 10 days, resulting in improved strength and cementation of tailings particles.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ferhat Benmahiddine, Fares Bennai, Achraf Charaka, Ameur El Amine Hamami, Abdelkader Tahakourt, Rafik Belarbi
Summary: This paper studied the effects of hysteresis on the hygrothermal behavior at the building scale. Through laboratory validation and numerical simulations, it was found that hysteresis has a significant impact on the relative humidity and total heat fluxes in buildings, while it does not have a noticeable effect on temperature variations.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
You Gao, Wei He, Xiayang Zhang, De'an Sun, Pei Li
Summary: This study determined the boundary line between the swelling and compression deformation zone in lateritic clay through wetting tests, and proposed a simple bimodal SWRC model. It also found that the existing strength model underestimated the tested values in the medium to high suction range, therefore a segmented strength equation was introduced for enhanced predictions of the strength properties of lateritic clay.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Prabhath Ranjan Kumar Soda, Asheer Mogal, Kalyan Chakravarthy, Nikhil Thota, Nimish Bandaru, Sanjay Kumar Shukla, K. M. Mini
Summary: This study investigates the use of encapsulated bacteria to improve the self-healing ability of concrete. Through various tests, it is found that using 20% cement-coated alginate beads (CCAB) and 5% nanosilica (NS) can achieve optimal strength and healing. This research is significant for enhancing the durability of concrete.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Shizhe Wang, Haiping Wu, Wen Yang, Wei Wang, Zhibo Zhu, Kun Nie, Luoxin Wang, Hua Wang, Jing Wu
Summary: In this study, photothermal-heat storage concrete (PHSC) was developed with excellent photothermal conversion performance and heat storage capacity. By absorbing and storing solar energy during the day and releasing it at night, PHSC can effectively reduce energy consumption in buildings.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Robin Deb, Jialuo He, Geetika Mishra, Yaghoob (Amir) Farnam
Summary: Incorporation techniques of phase change materials in cementitious composites have a significant influence on thermal properties. This study investigated the thermal behavior of low-temperature PCM when subjected to varying temperature change rates and pore confinement inside the porous network of lightweight aggregates. The results showed that ramp rates affect the nucleation and crystallization growth process during the phase transition, and the pore structure of the aggregates affects the supercooling phenomenon and confinement pressure of the PCM.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Eduardo Ferreira, Payam Sotoudeh, Dagmar Svecova
Summary: This study investigates the fatigue behavior of concrete under different stress reversal conditions. The results indicate that stress reversal generally causes more severe damage and reduces the cycles to failure compared to tensile fatigue. Additionally, adding some level of compression contributes to the energy required for failure under stress reversal fatigue. Specimens with higher concentration of fractured aggregates achieve longer fatigue lives.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Mag Raj Gehlot, Sandeep Shrivastava
Summary: This study evaluates the compatibility relationship between plaster bonds and the substrate under an accelerated aging environment, and finds that incorporating an appropriate amount of granite cutting waste can improve the strength parameters and adhesion of the cement mortar.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Min Zhang, Qirui Luo, Mingke Deng, Shixing Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the bond behavior between carbon FRCM composites with added short fibers and concrete substrates. The effects of different factors were considered and 36 specimens were tested and discussed. The experimental results were analyzed in terms of failure mode, load-slip curve, and characteristic parameters, and the contribution of weft yarns was taken into account in the developed bondslip model.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Dengkai Liu, Hongniao Chen, Ray Kai Leung Su
Summary: The susceptibility of building stones to fire and high temperature was investigated in this study by examining their physical and mechanical properties. The results show that both compressive and tensile properties of stones are affected by temperature changes. The tensile strength is particularly sensitive to temperature changes, requiring special attention to the components subjected to tensile stress in stone buildings. Principal component analysis was used to predict the mechanical properties of stones, providing a new method for calculating the residual mechanical properties after high temperature or fire.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Joso Maria Raposo, Eduardo Cavaco, Luis Costa Neves, Eduardo Julio
Summary: This paper investigates the correlation between the friction coefficient and the surface roughness of concrete-to-concrete interfaces. Experimental tests were performed on specimens with different surface treatments, and the surface roughness parameters were analyzed and correlated with the shear strength and friction coefficient. The results showed that certain roughness parameters had a strong positive correlation with the friction coefficient, while others had little or no correlation. A novel combined roughness parameter with optimized correlation was proposed.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Chiara Riccardi, Massimo Losa
Summary: The interest in using bio materials in asphalt pavements is growing due to economic reasons and environmental benefits. This study aimed to review the use of bio extenders as additives in binders, with a focus on replacements greater than 20% of fossil binder. The properties of bio-extended binders were found to vary substantially depending on the biomass source and production process.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2024)
