From laboratory formulation to in situ evaluation: PCM-enhanced lime-pozzolan-cement mortars for thermal retrofit of heritage architecture

IF 8.2 2区工程技术 Q1 CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

Developments in the Built Environment Pub Date : 2026-04-01 Epub Date: 2026-04-27 DOI:10.1016/j.dibe.2026.100930

Loucas Kyriakou , Andrea Rubio-Aguinaga , Mohammad Hossein Nofalah , Laura Maria Piarulli Paz , Álvaro García Molino , Liberato Ferrara , Ioannis Karatasios , Eirini Tziviloglou , José María Fernández , Íñigo Navarro-Blasco , José Ignacio Álvarez

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The energy retrofitting of heritage buildings is constrained by strict requirements on material compatibility, reversibility, and minimal intervention, limiting the use of conventional insulation systems. In this context, lime-based rendering mortars incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) offer a promising solution for enhancing thermal performance while respecting conservation principles. This study investigates the suitability of PCM-enhanced ternary lime-pozzolan-cement mortars through a combined laboratory and field-scale experimental approach, with particular emphasis on real-scale validation under outdoor conditions.

Mortars incorporating microencapsulated PCMs were characterized in terms of microstructure, hygric and mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, and latent heat storage, alongside durability assessment under freeze-thaw and salt crystallization cycles. Thermal performance was evaluated using hot-box testing and monitored full-scale mock-ups exposed to real climatic conditions.

The results show that PCM incorporation significantly reduces thermal conductivity (from ca. 0.63 to 0.30 W m⁻¹·K⁻¹) while providing latent heat storage up to 2.7 J g⁻¹. Durability performance was maintained or improved compared to reference mortars. Both laboratory and field-scale results demonstrate the ability of PCM-enhanced mortars to attenuate temperature fluctuations, leading to smoother internal temperature profiles and reduced thermal peaks under real environmental conditions.

Overall, the findings confirm that PCM-enhanced ternary lime-based mortars can provide passive thermal buffering while maintaining compatibility with heritage substrates, supporting their application in conservation-oriented energy retrofitting strategies.

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从实验室配方到现场评估：用于遗产建筑热改造的pcm增强石灰-火山灰-水泥砂浆

遗产建筑的能源改造受到材料兼容性、可逆性和最小干预的严格要求的限制，限制了传统保温系统的使用。在这种情况下，结合相变材料（PCMs）的石灰基渲染砂浆提供了一种有前途的解决方案，可以在尊重保护原则的同时增强热性能。本研究通过实验室和现场试验相结合的方法，研究了pcm增强的三元石灰-火山灰-水泥砂浆的适用性，特别强调了在室外条件下的实际规模验证。结合微胶囊化PCMs的砂浆在微观结构、水力学性能、导热性和潜热储存方面进行了表征，并在冻融和盐结晶循环下进行了耐久性评估。热箱测试评估了热性能，并监测了暴露在真实气候条件下的全尺寸模型。结果表明，PCM掺入显著降低了导热系数（从0.63到0.30 W m−1·K−1），同时提供高达2.7 J g−1的潜热储存。与参考砂浆相比，耐久性性能保持或提高。实验室和现场规模的结果都表明，pcm增强砂浆能够衰减温度波动，从而在实际环境条件下实现更平滑的内部温度曲线和更低的热峰。总体而言，研究结果证实，pcm增强的三元石灰基砂浆可以提供被动热缓冲，同时保持与传统基材的兼容性，支持其在以节能为导向的能源改造策略中的应用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Developments in the Built Environment Multiple-

CiteScore

7.40

自引率

1.20%

发文量

审稿时长

22 days

期刊介绍： Developments in the Built Environment (DIBE) is a recently established peer-reviewed gold open access journal, ensuring that all accepted articles are permanently and freely accessible. Focused on civil engineering and the built environment, DIBE publishes original papers and short communications. Encompassing topics such as construction materials and building sustainability, the journal adopts a holistic approach with the aim of benefiting the community.