Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

GERİ DÖNÜŞTÜRÜLMÜŞ PLASTİK TUĞLALARIN KARŞILAŞTIRMALI ISIL PERFORMANSI: ENERJİ VERİMLİ KONUTLAR İÇİN ÖZELLİK TEMELLİ BİR ANALİZ

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 2, 127 - 147, 30.12.2025

Abstract

Bu çalışma, İstanbul’un ılıman-nemli iklim koşullarında yenilikçi plastik tuğlaların enerji performansını geleneksel duvar malzemeleriyle karşılaştırmalı olarak değerlendirmektedir. Türkiye Meteoroloji Genel Müdürlüğüne ait 20 yıllık meteorolojik veri kullanılarak, bölge için en enerji verimli form olarak belirlenen U-şekilli bina tipolojisi üzerinde DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus ile enerji simülasyonları gerçekleştirilmiştir. Hakemli çalışmalardan elde edilen on yedi plastik tuğla formülasyonu; ısı iletkenliği, özgül ısı kapasitesi, yoğunluk, neme dayanım ve yangın dayanımı açısından analiz edilmiş ve Türk boşluklu kil tuğlası ile geleneksel pişmiş tuğlalarla karşılaştırılmıştır. Sonuçlar, birçok plastik tuğlanın geleneksel tuğlalardan belirgin şekilde daha iyi performans gösterdiğini ortaya koymuştur. Geri dönüştürülmüş PET ve kumdan üretilen Tuğla 15, ısıtma yükünde %26,24’lük azalma ve soğutma talebinde yalnızca sınırlı bir artış sayesinde toplamda %13,89 ile en yüksek enerji tasarrufunu sağlamıştır. Bu üstün performans, düşük ısı iletkenliği, orta yoğunluk ve yüksek özgül ısı kapasitesi arasındaki optimum dengeye dayanmaktadır. Ayrıca sekiz başka plastik tuğla da kayda değer enerji verimliliği kazanımları göstermiş; geri dönüştürülmüş termoplastiklerin ve uçucu kül ile taş ocağı tozu gibi katkı maddelerinin termal atalet ve iç mekân konforunu artırmadaki rolü vurgulanmıştır. Çalışma, Türk konut yapımında kil tuğlalarına olan yoğun bağımlılığı sorgulamakta ve bu malzemelerin daha yüksek enerji ihtiyacına ve zayıf termal performansa yol açtığını göstermektedir. Araştırma, özellikle yalıtımın sınırlı olduğu düşük ve orta gelirli konutlarda, mühendislik ürünü plastik kompozitlerin modern enerji standartlarını karşılayabilecek potansiyele sahip olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Kapsamlı iklim verileri, ileri malzeme bilimi ve dinamik simülasyonun bütüncül entegrasyonuyla, bu çalışma çevre dostu plastik tuğlaların yaygın kullanımına yönelik ölçeklenebilir bir çerçeve sunmakta; enerji tüketimini ve karbon emisyonlarını azaltmayı hedefleyen mimarlar, mühendisler ve politika yapıcılar için değerli içgörüler sağlamaktadır.

References

  • E. S. Hattap and A. Tarım, "Relationship Between Reconstruction and Sustainability With Examples.," KAPU Trakya Mimarlık Ve Tasarım Dergisi, vol. 3(2), pp. 117-126, 2023.
  • UN, "Plastic Pollution," UN Environment Programme, 2025.
  • IEA, "World Energy Outlook 2022," 2022.
  • OECD, "Global Trends in Government Innovation 2024: Fostering Human-Centred Public Services," OECD Public Governance Reviews, OECD Publishing, Paris,, 2023.
  • L. S. Ribeiro, C. M. Stolz, M. Amario, A. L. N. d. Silva and A. N. Haddad, "Use of Post-Consumer Plastics in the Production of Wood-Plastic Composites for Building Components: A Systematic Review," Energies, pp. 16(18), 6549; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16186549, 2023.
  • P. Muñoz, C. González, R. Recio and O. Gencel, "The role of specific heat capacity on building energy performance and thermal discomfort," Case Studies in Construction Materials, 2022.
  • M. Safarkhani, "Space to Place, Housing to Home: A Systematic Review of Sense of Place in Housing Studies.," Sustainability, vol. 17, p. 6842, 2025.
  • U. N. E. P. UNEP, "Data, Information and Knowledge on the Environment," 2022.
  • A. Singh, A. K. Srivastava, A. Kumar and P. Gautam, " Design for low thermal conductivity and low vibrational impact without efflorescence of the composite bricks developed by waste plastic resin/fly ash/glass powder/gypsum," International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing, p. 949–960, 2025.
  • F. I. Aneke and C. Shabangu, "Green-efficient masonry bricks produced from scrap plastic waste and foundry sand," Case Studies in Construction Materials, p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2021.e00515, 2021.
  • J. Bredenoord, "Sustainable Building Materials for Low-cost Housing and the Challenges Facing their Technological Developments: Examples and Lessons Regarding Bamboo, Earth-Block Technologies, Building Blocks of Recycled Materials, and Improved Concrete Panels," Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology , pp. DOI:10.4172/2168-9717.1000187, 2017.
  • Y. Zhang, X. Sun and M. A. Medina, "Thermal performance of concrete masonry units containing insulation and phase change material.," Journal of Building Engineering, 2023.
  • K. Gounden, F. M. Mwangi, T. P. Mohan and K. Kanny, "The use of recycled high-density polyethylene waste to manufacture eco-friendly plastic sand bricks," SPE Polymers Volume 5, Issue 1, p. 20–34 10.1002/pls2.10106, 2024.
  • B. G. D. P. S. v. T. L. Şti., "Corporate profile and recycled polymer supply details.," Şti., Birlik Geri Dönüşüm Plastik San. ve Tic. Ltd., Turkey, 2025.
  • A. Rauniyar, R. K. Nakrani, S. R. Narpala, Nehaun and S. Arun, "An evaluation of the use of plastic waste in the manufacture of plastic Bricks," Discover Civil Engineering, pp. Volume 1, Article 43, 2024.
  • Y. M. Arbia, N. Mahmoudi and M. Bentahar, "Evaluating the structural performance of masonry walls incorporating recycled plastic bricks under monotonic and cyclic loading.," Vojnotehnički Glasnik / Military Technical Courier, volume 72, issue 3, p. 1306–1344, 2024.
  • R. Bhat, C. R. Kamath, N. Mohan, N. Naik, P. Mulimani and M. F. Koh, "Experimental analysis of mechanical properties of the unconventional sand-plastic bricks using statistical method.," Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Review, 13(2), pp. 13-16, 2020.
  • A. Kumi-Larbi Jnr, L. Mohammed, T. Tagbor, S. Tulashie and C. Cheeseman, "Recycling Waste Plastics into Plastic-Bonded Sand Interlocking Blocks for Wall Construction in Developing Countries.," Sustainability 2023, 15, 16602. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416602, 2023.
  • N. Ashraf, O. El-Monayeri and H. Hassan, "Lego-like Bricks Manufacturing Using Recycled Polyethylene (PE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Waste in Egypt.," Sustainability, pp. 16, 8567. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198567, 2024.
  • N. Koppula, J. Schuster and Y. Shaik, "Fabrication and Experimental Analysis of Bricks Using Recycled Plastics and Bitumen.," Journal of Composite Science, pp. 7, 111. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs7030111, 2023.
  • O. H.R., I. W.M.E., Y. M.A.B., Z. M.F.M., K. M.M.R., H. C.S., M. M.S.A. and I. N.F., "Investigation on the Mechanical and Water Absorption Properties of Eco-Friendly Bricks Produced from Waste Polypropylene (PP) Bumper," Chemical Engineering Transactions, 106, DOI: 10.3303/CET23106224, pp. 1339-1344, 2023.
  • S.-L. Mak, T. M. Y. W, F. W. F. T. J. C. H. Li and C. W. Lai, "A Review on Utilization of Plastic Wastes in Making Construction Bricks," in IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Hogh Kong, 2021.
  • I. I. Akinwumi, A. H. Domo-Spiff and A. Salami, "Marine plastic pollution and affordable housing challenge: Shredded waste plastic stabilized soil for producing compressed earth bricks," Case Studies in Construction Materials Elsevier, p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2019.e00241, 2019.
  • R. Kadupu, P. Subramanian, A. Kaliyamoorthy, T. Rajkumar, S. Subramanian and S. Rajendran, "Assessing the Thermal Insulation Properties of Thermoplastic Bricks for Energy-Efficient Building Solutions," Revista Matéria, Volume 29, Number 4,, pp. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-7076-RMAT-2024-0583, 2024.
  • Z. Zhang, Y. Wong, M. Sofi and P. Mendis, "Incorporation of Glass and Plastic Waste into Alkali-Activated Mill Residue Bricks," Sustainability, pp. 14, 16533. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416533, 2022.
  • V. Athithan and L. T. Natarajan, "Enhancing thermal properties of eco-bricks through integration of post-consumer plastic waste: a sustainable construction approach," Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation, pp. Volume 10, Article 85, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41024-025-00597-6, 2025.
  • M. R. Shaibur, S. Sarwar and M. Alshehri, "Production and characterization of plastic bricks produced from PET, PP, and HDPE types of plastic wastes," Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, p. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2025.103859, 2025.
  • H. A. Subhani, R. A. Khushnood and S. Shakeel, "Synthesis of recycled bricks containing mixed plastic waste and foundry sand: Physico-mechanical investigation," Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier Ltd., p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.135197, 2024.
  • H. Patel, "Clay Bricks vs. Hollow Clay Bricks: Key Differences," Gharpedia, 2019.
  • T. S. I. (TSE), "TS EN 771-1: Specification for masonry units – Clay masonry units.," Ankara.
  • "CEN. EN 13501-1: Fire classification of construction products and building elements.," Turkish Standards Institution (TSE). TS EN 13501-1.
  • S. G. Attia, E. Grätia, A. D. Herde and J. L. M. Hensen, "Simulation-based decision support tool for early stages of zero-energy building design.," Energy and Buildings, 49,, p. 2–15, 2013.
  • "CEN. EN ISO 13786: Thermal performance of building components," Dynamic thermal characteristics. European Committee for Standardization..
  • IEA, "World Energy Outlook 2023," IEA, 2023.
  • Meteoroloji, "The state of Turkey's climate 2020,2021,2022,2023,2024," REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE,MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE, Turkish State Meteorological Service, Turkey, 2024.

Comparative Thermal Performance of Recycled Plastic Bricks: A Property-Based Analysis for Energy-Efficient Housing

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 2, 127 - 147, 30.12.2025

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the energy performance of innovative plastic bricks compared to traditional masonry in Istanbul’s mild-humid climate. Using 20 years of meteorological data from the Turkish State Meteorological Service, energy simulations were conducted with DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus on a U-shaped building typology, identified as the most energy-efficient form for the region. Seventeen plastic brick formulations, sourced from peer-reviewed studies, were analyzed for thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, density, moisture resistance, and fire resistance, and benchmarked against Turkish hollow clay and conventional burned bricks. Results show that several plastic bricks significantly outperform traditional bricks, with Brick 15 composed of recycled PET and sand achieving the highest energy savings of 13.89%, driven by a 26.24% reduction in heating load and only a marginal rise in cooling demand. Its superior performance reflects an optimal balance of low thermal conductivity, moderate density, and high specific heat capacity. Additionally, eight other plastic bricks demonstrated notable efficiency gains, highlighting the role of recycled thermoplastics and stabilizers such as fly ash and quarry dust in enhancing thermal inertia and indoor comfort. The study challenges the reliance on clay bricks in Turkish residential construction by evidencing their higher energy demand and poorer thermal performance. It underscores the potential of engineered plastic composites to meet modern energy standards, especially in low- and middle-income housing where insulation is limited. Integrating rigorous climate data, advanced material science, and dynamic simulation, this research provides a scalable framework for adopting eco-friendly plastic bricks, offering valuable insights for architects, engineers, and policymakers seeking to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in temperate climates.

References

  • E. S. Hattap and A. Tarım, "Relationship Between Reconstruction and Sustainability With Examples.," KAPU Trakya Mimarlık Ve Tasarım Dergisi, vol. 3(2), pp. 117-126, 2023.
  • UN, "Plastic Pollution," UN Environment Programme, 2025.
  • IEA, "World Energy Outlook 2022," 2022.
  • OECD, "Global Trends in Government Innovation 2024: Fostering Human-Centred Public Services," OECD Public Governance Reviews, OECD Publishing, Paris,, 2023.
  • L. S. Ribeiro, C. M. Stolz, M. Amario, A. L. N. d. Silva and A. N. Haddad, "Use of Post-Consumer Plastics in the Production of Wood-Plastic Composites for Building Components: A Systematic Review," Energies, pp. 16(18), 6549; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16186549, 2023.
  • P. Muñoz, C. González, R. Recio and O. Gencel, "The role of specific heat capacity on building energy performance and thermal discomfort," Case Studies in Construction Materials, 2022.
  • M. Safarkhani, "Space to Place, Housing to Home: A Systematic Review of Sense of Place in Housing Studies.," Sustainability, vol. 17, p. 6842, 2025.
  • U. N. E. P. UNEP, "Data, Information and Knowledge on the Environment," 2022.
  • A. Singh, A. K. Srivastava, A. Kumar and P. Gautam, " Design for low thermal conductivity and low vibrational impact without efflorescence of the composite bricks developed by waste plastic resin/fly ash/glass powder/gypsum," International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing, p. 949–960, 2025.
  • F. I. Aneke and C. Shabangu, "Green-efficient masonry bricks produced from scrap plastic waste and foundry sand," Case Studies in Construction Materials, p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2021.e00515, 2021.
  • J. Bredenoord, "Sustainable Building Materials for Low-cost Housing and the Challenges Facing their Technological Developments: Examples and Lessons Regarding Bamboo, Earth-Block Technologies, Building Blocks of Recycled Materials, and Improved Concrete Panels," Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology , pp. DOI:10.4172/2168-9717.1000187, 2017.
  • Y. Zhang, X. Sun and M. A. Medina, "Thermal performance of concrete masonry units containing insulation and phase change material.," Journal of Building Engineering, 2023.
  • K. Gounden, F. M. Mwangi, T. P. Mohan and K. Kanny, "The use of recycled high-density polyethylene waste to manufacture eco-friendly plastic sand bricks," SPE Polymers Volume 5, Issue 1, p. 20–34 10.1002/pls2.10106, 2024.
  • B. G. D. P. S. v. T. L. Şti., "Corporate profile and recycled polymer supply details.," Şti., Birlik Geri Dönüşüm Plastik San. ve Tic. Ltd., Turkey, 2025.
  • A. Rauniyar, R. K. Nakrani, S. R. Narpala, Nehaun and S. Arun, "An evaluation of the use of plastic waste in the manufacture of plastic Bricks," Discover Civil Engineering, pp. Volume 1, Article 43, 2024.
  • Y. M. Arbia, N. Mahmoudi and M. Bentahar, "Evaluating the structural performance of masonry walls incorporating recycled plastic bricks under monotonic and cyclic loading.," Vojnotehnički Glasnik / Military Technical Courier, volume 72, issue 3, p. 1306–1344, 2024.
  • R. Bhat, C. R. Kamath, N. Mohan, N. Naik, P. Mulimani and M. F. Koh, "Experimental analysis of mechanical properties of the unconventional sand-plastic bricks using statistical method.," Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Review, 13(2), pp. 13-16, 2020.
  • A. Kumi-Larbi Jnr, L. Mohammed, T. Tagbor, S. Tulashie and C. Cheeseman, "Recycling Waste Plastics into Plastic-Bonded Sand Interlocking Blocks for Wall Construction in Developing Countries.," Sustainability 2023, 15, 16602. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416602, 2023.
  • N. Ashraf, O. El-Monayeri and H. Hassan, "Lego-like Bricks Manufacturing Using Recycled Polyethylene (PE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Waste in Egypt.," Sustainability, pp. 16, 8567. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198567, 2024.
  • N. Koppula, J. Schuster and Y. Shaik, "Fabrication and Experimental Analysis of Bricks Using Recycled Plastics and Bitumen.," Journal of Composite Science, pp. 7, 111. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs7030111, 2023.
  • O. H.R., I. W.M.E., Y. M.A.B., Z. M.F.M., K. M.M.R., H. C.S., M. M.S.A. and I. N.F., "Investigation on the Mechanical and Water Absorption Properties of Eco-Friendly Bricks Produced from Waste Polypropylene (PP) Bumper," Chemical Engineering Transactions, 106, DOI: 10.3303/CET23106224, pp. 1339-1344, 2023.
  • S.-L. Mak, T. M. Y. W, F. W. F. T. J. C. H. Li and C. W. Lai, "A Review on Utilization of Plastic Wastes in Making Construction Bricks," in IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Hogh Kong, 2021.
  • I. I. Akinwumi, A. H. Domo-Spiff and A. Salami, "Marine plastic pollution and affordable housing challenge: Shredded waste plastic stabilized soil for producing compressed earth bricks," Case Studies in Construction Materials Elsevier, p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2019.e00241, 2019.
  • R. Kadupu, P. Subramanian, A. Kaliyamoorthy, T. Rajkumar, S. Subramanian and S. Rajendran, "Assessing the Thermal Insulation Properties of Thermoplastic Bricks for Energy-Efficient Building Solutions," Revista Matéria, Volume 29, Number 4,, pp. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-7076-RMAT-2024-0583, 2024.
  • Z. Zhang, Y. Wong, M. Sofi and P. Mendis, "Incorporation of Glass and Plastic Waste into Alkali-Activated Mill Residue Bricks," Sustainability, pp. 14, 16533. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416533, 2022.
  • V. Athithan and L. T. Natarajan, "Enhancing thermal properties of eco-bricks through integration of post-consumer plastic waste: a sustainable construction approach," Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation, pp. Volume 10, Article 85, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41024-025-00597-6, 2025.
  • M. R. Shaibur, S. Sarwar and M. Alshehri, "Production and characterization of plastic bricks produced from PET, PP, and HDPE types of plastic wastes," Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, p. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2025.103859, 2025.
  • H. A. Subhani, R. A. Khushnood and S. Shakeel, "Synthesis of recycled bricks containing mixed plastic waste and foundry sand: Physico-mechanical investigation," Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier Ltd., p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.135197, 2024.
  • H. Patel, "Clay Bricks vs. Hollow Clay Bricks: Key Differences," Gharpedia, 2019.
  • T. S. I. (TSE), "TS EN 771-1: Specification for masonry units – Clay masonry units.," Ankara.
  • "CEN. EN 13501-1: Fire classification of construction products and building elements.," Turkish Standards Institution (TSE). TS EN 13501-1.
  • S. G. Attia, E. Grätia, A. D. Herde and J. L. M. Hensen, "Simulation-based decision support tool for early stages of zero-energy building design.," Energy and Buildings, 49,, p. 2–15, 2013.
  • "CEN. EN ISO 13786: Thermal performance of building components," Dynamic thermal characteristics. European Committee for Standardization..
  • IEA, "World Energy Outlook 2023," IEA, 2023.
  • Meteoroloji, "The state of Turkey's climate 2020,2021,2022,2023,2024," REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE,MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE, Turkish State Meteorological Service, Turkey, 2024.
There are 35 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Architectural Design, Materials and Technology in Architecture, Sustainable Architecture
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Modupe Odemakin 0000-0001-6721-0991

Seyhan Yardımlı 0000-0001-7186-9000

Melody Safarkhani 0000-0001-6363-9328

Submission Date November 26, 2025
Acceptance Date December 14, 2025
Publication Date December 30, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 11 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Odemakin, M., Yardımlı, S., & Safarkhani, M. (2025). Comparative Thermal Performance of Recycled Plastic Bricks: A Property-Based Analysis for Energy-Efficient Housing. A+Arch Design International Journal of Architecture and Design, 11(2), 127-147.


All site content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Common Attribution Licence. (CC-BY-NC 4.0)

by-nc.png