TRC sandwich panel for energy retrofitting exposed to environmental thermal actions

Synopsis: In the framework of the European project EASEE (Envelope Approach to improve Sustainability and Energy efficiency in Existing multi-storey multi-owner residential buildings), a textile reinforced concrete sandwich-prefabricated panel has been designed for the energy retrofitting of existing building built between 1925 and 1975. The feasibility of the solution has been evaluated by assessing the production process and the structural behaviour. Thanks to the application of panels on a test façade at Politecnico di Milano and on a whole demo-building in Cinisello Balsamo, it was possible to evaluate all the topics related to handling and mounting and to monitor the energy performance of the system. During summer and winter monitoring, superficial temperatures were collected: sensors were placed on panel extrados, in the cavity between panel and existing wall and on the internal surface of existing wall. In addition, the thermal transmittance of the retrofitted wall was measured. These data allow evaluating the overall efficiency of the adopted system. Using superficial temperatures as input data, the effect of temperature variation on the mechanical behaviour of a sandwich panel has been evaluated through a finite element analysis performed in Abaqus on a 3D model. © 2018 American Concrete Institute. All rights reserved.