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Resource Efficiency and Thermal Comfort of 3D Printable Concrete Building Envelopes Optimized by Performance Enhancing Insulation: A Numerical Study

Author

Listed:
  • Blessing Onyeche Ayegba

    (School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • King-James Idala Egbe

    (Institute of Port, Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China)

  • Ali Matin Nazar

    (Institute of Port, Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China)

  • Mingzhi Huang

    (School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • Mohammad Amin Hariri-Ardebili

    (Department of Civil Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
    College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

Abstract

3D concrete printing has gained tremendous popularity as a promising technique with the potential to remarkably push the boundaries of conventional concrete technology. Enormous research efforts have been directed towards improving the material properties and structural safety of 3D printed concrete (3DPC) over the last decade. In contrast, little attention has been accorded to its sustainability performance in the built environment. This study compares the energy efficiency, operational carbon emission, and thermal comfort of air cavity 3DPC building envelopes against insulated models. Four insulations, namely expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), polyurethane foam (PUF), and fiberglass (FG), are iteratively paired with three different 3DPC mix designs, and their resulting performances are reported. A numerical optimization analysis is performed to obtain combinations of 3DPC building models and insulation with the least energy expenditure, carbon production, and thermal efficiency. The results indicate that insulation considerably enhances the overall environmental performance of 3DPC structures. The optimization process also demonstrates the potential of using 3D printable fiber reinforced engineered cementitious concrete (3DPFRECC) with polyurethane infill for amplified sustainable performance in modern construction.

Suggested Citation

  • Blessing Onyeche Ayegba & King-James Idala Egbe & Ali Matin Nazar & Mingzhi Huang & Mohammad Amin Hariri-Ardebili, 2022. "Resource Efficiency and Thermal Comfort of 3D Printable Concrete Building Envelopes Optimized by Performance Enhancing Insulation: A Numerical Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:3:p:1069-:d:739624
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thadshajini Suntharalingam & Perampalam Gatheeshgar & Irindu Upasiri & Keerthan Poologanathan & Brabha Nagaratnam & Heshachanaa Rajanayagam & Satheeskumar Navaratnam, 2021. "Numerical Study of Fire and Energy Performance of Innovative Light-Weight 3D Printed Concrete Wall Configurations in Modular Building System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-20, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yorgos Spanodimitriou & Giovanni Ciampi & Luigi Tufano & Michelangelo Scorpio, 2023. "Flexible and Lightweight Solutions for Energy Improvement in Construction: A Literature Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-50, September.
    2. Manideep Samudrala & Syed Mujeeb & Bhagyashri A. Lanjewar & Ravijanya Chippagiri & Muralidhar Kamath & Rahul V. Ralegaonkar, 2023. "3D-Printable Concrete for Energy-Efficient Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-16, May.

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