An evaluation methodology proposal for building envelopes containing phase change materials: the case of a flat roof in Turkey’s climate zones

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCMs) can be used to enhance the thermal energy storage capacity of a building element to improve indoor thermal comfort conditions and decrease energy usage, yet these effects need to be carefully analysed to achieve the desired benefits. This paper proposes an evaluation methodology for building envelopes: first, a numerical computational fluid dynamics model is validated by experimental work; then, time-dependent simulations are used to analyse monthly energy requirements and heat flux. A sample flat roof is evaluated in terms of required cooling load with and without PCM in Turkey’s climate zones. Graphical phase change representations and heat flux results were used to evaluate the cooling load reduction in addition to the effects of PCM type and PCM amount and the necessity for night cooling. In conclusion, the methodology is flexible and can be utilized to evaluate the building element for various parameters.