Method of Manufacturing a Multifunctional Concrete Component (2025-10)¶

This research project investigates the optimization of heat storage capacity in load-bearing concrete components to enhance sustainable building design. Phase change materials (PCMs) are becoming increasingly important in the construction sector due to their potential for adapting the indoor climate. They help to regulate building temperatures by storing excess heat when it is too warm and releasing it again when it gets cooler. This leads to a more even and comfortable indoor climate and reduces dependence on conventional heating and cooling systems. In connection with the challenges of climate change, PCMs are becoming increasingly important. The development of a process to specifically increase the heat storage capacity of load-bearing concrete components was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) as a ZIM cooperation project (PCMZ). The aim was to partially optimize the storage capacity of a concrete component by spatially enriching it with PCM particles, as an evenly distributed enrichment leads to considerable losses in the strength of the concrete. The production of these multifunctional components should therefore be carried out using additive manufacturing processes. The gain in storage capacity on the one hand and the loss in strength on the other were investigated as part of the project.