Impact of a low thermal conductive lightweight concrete in building: Energy and fuel performance evaluation for different climate region. (15th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ustaoglu, Abid; Kurtoglu, Kubra; Gencel, Osman; Kocyigit, Fatih
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 268(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08-15
• Subjects: Thermal insulation -- Vermiculite -- Lightweight concrete -- Energy analyses -- Thermal performance -- Fuel cost; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110732
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Evaluation of energy performance of a proposed lightweight concrete, a structural component, in a building application is a novel approach and significant attempt for the future of energy-efficient buildings. Buildings are one of the largest energy consumers in the world. Thermal protection in a building is the most effective way for energy saving. Many stimulatory measures for the spreading of energy savings technologies have been recently applied into the building sectors. In this study, an investigation was carried out based upon an experimental investigation to decide the thermal properties of the lightweight concrete with different ratios of vermiculite. Moreover, analytical simulation to evaluate the energy consumption in a real building application was carried out for various fuels and different climate regions of Turkey. The results show that the most significant reduction in the total heat need occurs in the 4th region, with about 5.6 kWh/m 2 -year for a thickness of 0.2 m. An energy-saving of 7.5% can be achieved in the 1st region. The proposed concrete can provide a significant reduction in energy consumption and can reduce the carbon emission related to the lower energy need of the buildings. The annual saving can increase to 0.61 $/m 2 for LPG in the 4th region. The payback period varies between 1.4 years and 9 years, depending on the fuel. Many OECD countries having a high population pay higher prices for electricity and natural gas compared to Turkey. It means that such an energy-efficient material can save more price due to their higher fuel cost. Highlights: Vermiculite reinforced lightweight concrete was used for the building applications. Energy and cost analysis were made for different climate regions and fuels. The concretes in the building application can provide a promising advancement. Annual energy savings of about 7.5% can be achieved for a concrete thickness of 0.25 m.