Use of Phase Change Materials in Construction of Buildings: A Review

Abstract — Phase-change material (PCM) is a substance with a high heat of fusion which, on melting and solidifying at a certain temperature, is capable of storing and releasing large amounts of energy. PCMs are regarded as a possible solution for reducing the energy consumption of buildings. For raising the building inertia and stabilizing the indoor climate, PCMs are more useful because of its nature of storing and releasing heat within a certain temperature range. In this paper, recent development in the field of using different types of PCMs with concrete, their incorporation and the influence of PCMs on the properties of concrete at the different stages are reviewed