DESEMPENHO TÉRMICO E PROPRIEDADES FÍSICAS DO BLOCO CELULAR DE CONCRETO AUTOCLAVADO E BLOCOS CERÂMICOS PARA CONSTRUÇÕES NA SUINOCULTURA

Abstract

Pork is the most globally produced and consumed protein worldwide; therefore, it boosts the economy of producing and exporting countries such as Brazil, which is the fourth largest producer in this global scenario. This increasing demand compels producer to enhance their productivity at swine farming sheds, where thermal comfort is a critical factor. Building materials used in swine facilities (roofs, walls, and floors) may show some high thermal transmittance, which hinder the maintenance of suitable temperatures. This management can overtax production with artificial climate control systems. Considering the wide range of materials available for enclosure and pen subdivision, this study aimed at analyzing the physical and thermal characteristics of three types of enclosure blocks: concrete, ceramic, and Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC). Thus, an experimental analysis was carried out, based on laboratory essays, to characterize the studied blocks. Physical properties were determined according to established technical standards (NBRs), including dry bulk density, saturated specific gravity, water absorption, and compressive strength. Thermal performance was evaluated using a heating chamber to monitor temperature variations on block surfaces over time via type "K" thermocouples, connected to an Arduino system. Data were collected and analyzed to determine parameters such as thermal resistance and thermal delay. Results indicated that AAC showed the best thermal performance, with the highest thermal delay and the lowest transmittance, whereas the ceramic block displayed the greatest heat absorption and dissipation capabilities. The concrete block presented intermediate characteristics. After three hours of heating, the temperature difference between hot and cold faces was 155.8 °C for AAC and 170.7 °C for the ceramic block, with thermal delays of 5 and 3 hours, respectively. Regarding capillary water absorption, AAC registered 2.66 g/cm² over 72 hours, while the ceramic block reached 1.03 g/cm². So, it could be concluded that the selection of the most suitable material depends on local weather conditions and specific requirements to the sheds. AAC was recorded to be promising for regions with high thermal amplitude, while the ceramic block could be more available for areas with less temperature variation. This analysis of physical and thermal properties should guide decision-making processes to optimize animal thermal comfort, reduce energy consumption, and ensure sustainable production practices.