Modeling effective elastic and thermal conductivity of composite materials reinforced with plastic waste: Analytical and numerical approaches

Abstract The properties of materials used in building are enhanced by adding nanoparticles for improve energy efficiency. The objective of this study is to offer both numerical and analytical modeling methods of the thermal conductivity and mechanical property of composite materials. Various mineral charges were employed to reinforce the organic matrices of saturated polyester resin (UPR) with calcium carbonate (CaCo₃) and expanded perlite particles. The study employs the finite‐element software COMSOL to conduct a numerical investigation of thermal transport in an elementary cell. The purpose is to ascertain the thermal conductivity of composites and examine the impact of contact resistance and the volume fraction of nanoparticles on the effective thermal conductivity. The results indicate that the numerical model proposed is consistent with the Hashin‐Shtrikman analytical model and experimental measurements. In another hand, the mechanical property is computed based on Mori‐tanaka analytical model of homogenization and finite element method by Digimat‐MF/FE, which gives enhanced elastic behavior of composite in function of volume fraction of nanoparticles, with high Young modulus and low Poisson ratio. The results indicate the performance of nanoparticles in improving thermomechanical behavior of building materials, and also in other applications.