The thermal resistivity of concrete façade elements containing novel recycled plastic void formers: An experimental and numerical investigation

Abstract

Disposal of post-consumer or post-industrial plastic waste poses a significant challenge due to its non-biodegradable properties, large volume of production, and low recycling rate. Governments worldwide are investing heavily to responsibly process plastic waste. The construction industry is a major sector with the potential to utilise a significant amount of recycled plastic. A combined experimental and modelling study is presented to determine the thermal response of concrete façades manufactured using a novel recycled plastic void former (ROBOVOID, patent pending). Multiple façade designs that incorporate the ROBOVOID void former are assessed to quantify the apparent thermal resistivity (R-value) of the façade element. Apparent thermal resistivity values between 0.3 and 3 K m2/W were experimentally measured. The experimental data were used to validate a numerical model that can predict the thermal response of the façade elements. The analysis reveals that façades using the ROBOVOID void former can be readily manufactured to attain apparent thermal resistivity values between 1 and 5.5 K m2/W which are suitable to meet or exceed most potential façade design requirements as per ISO 6946.