Research on the combination of translucent Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (G.F.R.P.) and Phase Change Materials (P.C.M.) for
applications in architecture
This thesis is a scouting on the possibilities of combining PCMs and GFRPs into one transparent element, which could upgrade the aesthetical values of standard commercial nontransparent PCM-GFRP systems.
The contribution of this research is twofold, providing:
1) An analysis framework for further exploration on the combination of a PCM and a GFRP, in respect to their basic properties and focusing on their optical properties. The framework
occurs from the qualitative and quantitative findings collected via literature study, calculations and experimentation.
2) A guideline and recommendations for synthesizing the above findings into design parameters for potential architectural applications.
Tpc
Unsaturated
Polyester Resin
solid
Epoxy Resin
Chopped Stranded
Glass Fiber Mat
A dynamically
translucent PCM
material
B.2. Composite
PCMs
Hydrated Salts
Phase Change:
Solid-Liquid
Woven Roving Glass
Fiber Mat
liquid
Paraffin Waxes
Phase Change:
Solid-Liquid
Polymer
Encapsulated
Paraffin
Phase Change:
Solid-’Solid’
Fabrication of
Test Samples
1. Materials Tested
A translucent
GFRP
material
+
B.1. Pure
PCMs
A.2. Fiber
Reinforcement
A.1. Thermoset
Polymers
How can the combination of a GFRP and a PCM be developed into a panel that exploits both their translucency, and
what are its potentials as a product in architecture?
Insulated Climate Chamber built for photographing the
samples, and measuring the temperature fluctuations.
A 1mm cast clear Epoxy sheet
BOX panel B
INTEGRATED - panel A
Fabrication of GFRP sheets, using the hand lay-up method
2. Fabrication of Prototypes
Solid (left) and Liquid (right) state of a 12mm PCM-GFRP panel using hydrated salts as PCM.
Tλ-solid= 0.40, Tλ-liquid=0.74.
The CLIMASEL PCMs’ Tλ stays almost constant at both phases. Tλ-solid, liquid~0.53.
Solid (left) and Liquid (right) state of an 8.3mm PEPEP panel using PEP as
PCM, and Epoxy as resin. Tλ-solid= 0.57, Tλ-liquid=0.70.
1. Light Transmission tests
2. Image Distortion Tests
Average Inside convection values for cooling, derived
from CIBSE 1993 (Example)
2. Application Example
Strategies for independent elements depend on the
vicinity between them and the façade.
Proposed application of a dynamically translucent GFRP-PCM Panel A1, at a cooling
ceiling and an interior wall of an office (in this example for Cooling applications. The
optical range is presented in green line; the density of the dashed line denotes better
visibility.
Test panel A. Melting Pattern of a SHREG PCM, with the corresponding pictures per time (Example)
Average
Thickness
Area
Weight
Max. Cooling Power
Estimation
[mm]
[kg/m2]
[W/m2]
[W/m2]
[h]
5.5
17.0
20.2
117.6
48 - 61
4
9.7
60.3
44 - 58
4
100.0
480.0
93.5
40 - 45
-
SHREG
P.E.P.
Con. Core
Activation
mentors: A. Bergsma, M. Bilow, F. Heinzelmann
Facade Design track, MSc Building Technology, Faculty of Architecture, July 2012
Min. P.C.
time
For a passive cooling ceiling, assisted with night ventilation, at a room ΔΤ=4οC from the
comfort temperature, and an αres=10 (Example)
Interior temperature rise at an office interior, using an 8mm PEP-GFRP integrated panel
student: Panagiotis Papanastasis [SN 4119940]
Average
Cooling Power
2. Acrtive Cooling (Example)
1. Passive Cooling (Example)
Related to the Facade
Not Related to the Facade
1.
2.
A.
1. Application Typologies
ID comparison between EPO and PUN GFRP sheets, along with the GFRP mats (Example)
B. Independent elements
3. Reflection Tests
Part of the Envelope
3. Experiments
SHREG
P.E.P.
Concrete
Average
Thickness
Area
Weight
Max. Cooling Power
Estimation
Average
Cooling Power
Min. P.C.
time
[mm]
[kg/m2]
[W/m2]
2.1
8.3
100.0
4.8
35.0
25 - 30
5
8.4
27.4
20 - 25
5
240.0
25.0
-
-
[W/m2]
[h]
For an active cooling ceiling, at a liquid cooling ΔΤ=6οC, and a αliquid=15. (Example)
Epoxy panel A with CLIMASEL PCM at an office, at ceiling and walls, during day, Epoxy panel A with CLIMASEL PCM at an office, at ceiling and walls,
during the night.