Loading phase change material in a concrete based wall to enhance concrete thermal properties

In this study, energy analysis was performed to improve the thermal behavior of the concrete-based wall of the building in the presence of phase change material (PCM). PCMs have low conductivity, acceptable specific capacity, and high latent enthalpy, which makes them a superior candidate for building applications. Considering the thermal properties of concrete in the range of 100–200 mm, PCM was added to the concrete. At concrete thickness of 100 mm, the impact of PCM was maximized so that the combination of PCM with concrete significantly reduced heat load (by 71.5%) as well as cold load (by 61%). Annual analysis showed that in the concrete thickness of 100 mm–200 mm, the presence of PCM reduces energy demand. At a thickness of 100 mm, the energy consumption was reduced by 64.1% while at the thickness of 150 and 200 mm, energy demand reduction was 59% and 56.8%. Due to loading PCM into concrete, an annual energy-saving of 231.6 kWh/m 2 at the concrete thickness of 100 cm was achieved. This value at 150 cm and 200 cm was 176.5 and 156.3 kWh/m 2 , respectively. • Loading PCM into the concrete-based wall to reduce heat transfer was studied. • Thermal properties of the concrete within the thickness of 100–200 mm were investigated. • Adding PCM with a melting temperature of 22–24 °C led to lower energy demand. • At the concrete thickness of 100 mm, adding PCM reduced energy demand by 231.6 kWh/m 2 .