Optimization of three new compositions of stabilized rammed earth incorporating PCM: thermal properties characterization and LCA

Abstract

The development of a new stabilised rammed earth (SRE) with improved thermal properties is the main objective of this research. Three types of SRE were doped with microencapsulated PCM and the compressive strength response was optimized with a design of experiments (DoE). The optimums were thermally analysed and were environmentally evaluated by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The results showed an improvement of thermal properties but the impact points of LCA increase considerably due to the microencapsulated PCM. The use of macroencapsulated PCM and a proper selection of PCM are mandatory to improve the LCA results in future research.

The work is partially funded by the Spanish government (ENE2011-28269-C03-02 and ENE2011-28269-C03-03) and the European Union (COST Action TU0802). The authors would like to thank the Catalan Government for the quality accreditation given to their research group GREA (2009 SGR 534) and research group DIOPMA (2009 SGR 645).