Bamboo–PCM: Comparative Analysis of Phase Change Material-Impregnated Dendrocalamus giganteus Culm Behavior Exposed to Thermal Variation in Wind Tunnel Assay

The construction industry's pursuit of eco-friendly materials has sparked interest in bamboo, a renewable resource with exceptional physical and mechanical properties. This study analyzed the integration of <i>Dendrocalamus giganteus</i> bamboo with phase change materials (PCMs) to enhance thermal energy storage in building applications, aiming to improve temperature regulation and reduce energy consumption for climate control. The study compared the performance of bamboo impregnated with an industrial PCM or coconut oil, used in conjunction with a polyurethane resin (PU) coating treatment, assessing their thermal regulation performance against traditional building materials such as ceramic tiles, fiber cement, and metal sheets. From an anatomical perspective, the pores within bamboo culms offered ample space for PCM storage, resulting in a substantial heat storage capacity. Thermal behavior tests conducted in a wind tunnel revealed that the impregnated bamboo samples effectively mitigate temperature fluctuations by aligning them with the PCM's phase change temperature. Additionally, it was observed that air flow velocity had an impact on this phenomenon. The study concluded that bamboo culms impregnated with PCM hold promise for temperature regulation in construction applications, with variations in airflow exerting an impact on the outcomes obtained.