This study comprises an energetic and economic feasibility analysis of adding rubble to conventional masonry in low-cost houses. It was assumed that an increase in thermal mass should be expected with the addition of rubble to hollow concrete blocks. The study also analyzes the influence of adding external plaster and white painting to this masonry. Measurements in 1m³ test-cells were carried out during summer, followed by computer simulations in order to calibrate results obtained in the test-cells. After calibration, an ordinary low-cost house was simulated using the same configurations of the experimental part of the study with the purpose of evaluating resulting thermal performance in full scale. Results indicated that the best energetic and economic alternative consists of concrete blocks with 14 cm width with rubble internally and no plaster externally. It was also observed an improvement in the thermal performance of the simulated building with the white painting. Next to an improvement in thermal performance, a new possibility is presented regarding a proper destination of rubble from civil construction.
Thermal performance; utilization of rubble; thermal monitoring; test-cells
