Thermal behavior of light earth used for building insulation: Insight on PCM introduction impact

Abstract

To reduce building significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, architects and engineers are seeking eco-friendly construction solutions. Among investigated options, building’s thermal insulation and heat storage can be cited.In this regard, earth-based materials are attracting particular interest. These last years, there is a renewed interest in these eco-friendly building materials and techniques. This is due to many advantages that they present: excellent humidity regulation ability and high thermal inertia. Present study aims to improve light earth thermal properties. Specifically, this research work focuses on the development of an insulating and heat storing material. To achieve this, phase change materials (PCM) are incorporated in soil-natural fiber mixtures.In fact, different light earth samples are first prepared. Then, thermally characterized to highlight the impact of PCM on the light earth thermal insulating, heat storing properties and thermal response to changing boundary conditions. The incorporation of PCM showed an interesting improvement of the light earth thermal properties namely on thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, and thermal comfort time.