Thermal performance and urban simulation study of climate-responsive bottom ash – Cement blocks
Wannapol Sadakorn, Chi-tathon Kupwiwat, Chayut Ngamkhanong, Daranee Jareemit, Sakdirat Kaewunruen, Lapyote Prasittisopin
Abstract
The escalating effects of global warming and urban heat need the development of novel construction materials that improve thermal comfort and sustainability. This study examines the viability of coal bottom ash as a sustainable substitute for manufacturing non-load-bearing bricks with improved thermal characteristics. Bottom ash, a by-product of coal combustion, is ubiquitously underused owing to its variable composition and mechanical constraints. However, its enhanced porosity and water absorption characteristics present a novel opportunity for climate-response through evaporative processes. No has research on bottom ash been developed for these climate-responsive processes. The optimal composition of 75 % bottom ash and 25 % cement was determined for non-load-bearing system, resulting in a compressive strength of 3 MPa, a bulk density of 1477.3 kg/m³, and a water absorption rate of 12.2 %. The microclimatic simulations of the brick walls for road model findings reveal that bottom ash bricks may lower air temperature by as much as −0.52°C and mean radiant temperature (MRT) by up to −4.86°C in comparison to traditional materials, highlighting its efficacy in alleviating urban heat. The results endorse the widespread utilization of bottom ash bricks as a sustainable construction material, offering a feasible substitute for improving thermal comfort in hot and humid environments while minimizing industrial waste disposal as well as in fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).