Experimental assessment of concrete masonry units integrated with insulation and phase change material: A wall-pattern study

The installation of functional materials, including thermal insulation materials (TIMs) and phase change materials (PCMs), in concrete masonry unit (CMU) block (brick) walls is expected to obtain high thermal performance. However, since the apparent thermal capacity of PCMs is affected by a variety of factors, how to use PCMs rationally becomes a complex and systematic issue. At the same time, how to combine PCMs with TIMs in building envelope to achieve high stationary and transient thermal performances simultaneously is also an important issue that arises with the application of PCMs. The quantitative impact of the key factors, including the underlying patterns of the functional materials themselves, as well as others such as wall pattern, the location, quantity, and handling of the functional materials, is still not clear. In this study, a wall pattern analysis is experimentally performed for the integration of TIM and PCM in CMU-block walls. Walls equipped with various volumes of the two functional materials in eight placement modes under three representative thermal conditions are measured and discussed. The performance associated with the wall modes is completely analyzed. Thermal bridging is found to be a key factor in weakening the effect of the functional materials filled in wall cavities. In addition, the optimal locations and volumes of the functional materials are obtained. This study thermally reveals and gathers effect laws and applied principles, and provides data reference for the proper use of TIM and PCM outfitted building envelopes.