Thermal rehabilitation: Contribution of mortars with incorporation of phase change materials

ABSTRACT The residential sector is sometimes old, with urgent intervention needs. Thus, it is important to rehabilitate buildings from a structural, aesthetic and functional point of view. The thermal rehabilitation is an important opportunity to reach higher levels of energetic performance, reducing the high energetic dependence of the countries. Rehabilitation operations based in the utilization of materials with the capability to store and release energy contribute to obtain more energy efficient buildings. Combining the use of smart materials and renewable energy sources, it is possible to increase the thermal comfort inside the buildings. The main purpose of this study was the physical, mechanical and thermal characterization of mortars based in specific binders for rehabilitation with incorporation of phase change materials (PCM). Mortars based in aerial lime and gypsum were studied. For each binder, mortars with and without incorporation of PCM were developed. It was observed that the incorporation of PCM in mortars caused differences in the physical, mechanical and thermal behavior. It was verified a decrease in the flexural and compressive strengths, and an increase in the thermal behavior, reducing the maximum temperature, increasing the minimum temperature and decreasing the heating and cooling needs.