Development of Energy-Efficient Concrete Buildings Using Recycled Plastic Aggregates

Abstract

Recycled plastics (high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene) were used as coarse aggregates in concrete mixtures to alter and improve the thermal properties of buildings. Two similar retail buildings were designed and constructed in Lansing, Mich., one with normal concrete (control) and the other with high content of recycled mixed plastics. The thermal and energy performance of the two buildings were investigated and analyzed. Short-term (air tightness and infiltration, co-heating, lighting) and long-term monitoring were performed. The building simulation program SUNREL developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) was employed to simulate the energy performance of the two buildings and to validate the experimental data. Both experimental and SUNREL program results showed that the recycled plastic concrete building exhibited higher levels of energy efficiency and comfort when compared with the normal concrete (control) building. Recycled plastic concrete in combination with energy-efficient building design techniques proved to be of tremendous value in lowering the cooling and heating loads of the buildings and also in enhancing the comfort level of the buildings.