Potential of using cool materials for building envelope in Brazil

• Grant number: 19/20050-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2020
• End date: April 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Architecture and Urbanism Technology
• Principal Investigator: Kelen Almeida Dornelles
• Grantee: Marcela Macedo de Andrade
• Host Institution: Instituto de Arquitetura e Urbanismo de São Carlos (IAU). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Reflective or cool materials have higher solar reflection, which causes less surface warming, as well as higher thermal emittance, which allows give out absorbed heat back into the atmosphere. At building level, the heat flow through the envelope decreases, which reduces indoor temperatures, as well as promotes user's better comfort conditions. Its wide implementation as coating for the built environment promotes the decrease in air temperature on city scale, as it mitigates urban heat islands effects. Several case studies performed in countries with different climatic conditions have confirmed several benefits resulting from their application, especially in roofs, as well as have allowed thermal features enhancement of these materials in laboratory. Brazil has great potential for using cool materials as built environment coating due to its intense exposure to solar radiation practically all year round. However, local market is quite incipient in manufacturing these materials. In this context, this research project aims to perform wide study about main components and respective thermophysical properties of cool coatings studied and developed worldwide, as well as to analyze the chemical composition and thermal performance of products with reflective features for application on building envelope that are currently available in Brazilian market. The research will include analysis of chemical composition and characterization of materials in laboratory, including mineralogical characterization and morphological analysis, as well as measurements of thermophysical properties as solar absorption and thermal emittance, and surface temperatures of samples exposed to the sun. It is intended to provide subsidies for the development of cool coatings for the built environment, applicable to the Brazilian constructive conditions. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ANDRADE, Marcela Macedo de. Cool coatings for roofs and facades in Brazil: characterization and assessment of thermal performance. 2023. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD) São Carlos.