A Taguchi approach for optimizing the mixture design of cold-bonded PCM aggregates

ABSTRACT

Energy efficiency and waste recovery have vital importance for a sustainable environmental progress. This study contributes to both issues considering three different aspects which are (i) production of an energy-efficient building material, (ii) utilization of waste materials inside the produced composites, and (iii) use of an eco-friendly production method. The first part of the research explains the design, optimization, and performance of cold-bonded lightweight aggregates. By-products such as fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) were utilized to manufacture these aggregates. Taguchi method was employed in the experimental design of the aggregate composition. Factors influencing the engineering properties of aggregates and their contribution ratios were investigated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Binder composition was found to be the most important factor influencing physical properties, while the curing time was the dominant factor effecting the strength of the aggregates. Optimal values of the factors were determined, and in the second part of the research, aggregate mixture design was enhanced using a microencapsulated phase change material (PCM) for a better thermal performance. The effect of different PCM ratios to the engineering properties of the produced pellets was studied experimentally.

KEYWORDS:

• Lightweight aggregate
• pelletization method
• fly ash
• Taguchi method
• phase change materials (PCM)
• energy efficiency

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Erman Yiğit Tuncel

Erman Yiğit Tuncel, born in Ankara, Turkey, had graduated from Civil Engineering Department of Istanbul Technical University, Turkey in 2009 and received his MSc from the same University in 2012.  He has been working as an academic at Istanbul Technical University since 2010. He is an active researcher in the area of lime and cement-based composites, historical constructions, application of nanotechnology on building materials, improvement of the energy-efficient building materials and green building solutions.

Bekir Yılmaz Pekmezci

Bekir Yılmaz Pekmezci, is working as Associate Professor at Istanbul Technical University, Turkey. He had graduated and taken MSc and PhD degrees from the same University. His completed projects and published papers are related to, application of nanotechnology on building materials, innovative processing of building materials, high-performance lime and cement-based materials.