Desempenho térmico do sistema construtivo em painéis de EPS: uma análise para habitações em São Luís – MA

Abstract

The construction industry is responsible for a large part of environmental impacts, due to excessive waste generation and high energy consumption, especially to provide termal comfort in buildings. To minimize these negative effects, it is necessary to adopt more sustainable and efficient practices that use natural resources consciously. This research investigates the construction system using Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) panels with the objective of identifying factors that contribute to its energy efficiency and analyzing the viability of this system in São Luís – MA. For this, thermal performance is considered, evaluated based on the parameters of transmittance, thermal capacity, thermal delay and solar factor, in accordance with Brazilian standards NBR’s 15220-1, 15220-2, 15220-3 of 2005, 15575-1:2024 and 15575-4:2021. The investigation is conducted through document review, including books, scientific and academic articles, theses and dissertations from the main databases. The results show that the implementation of the construction method with EPS plates, covered with electrowelded steel mesh and structural mortar, is viable for the city of São Luís, since the thermal performance demonstrated to be adequate and superior to that of the construction system in conventional masonry. Furthermore, the research clarifies fundamental concepts about the monolithic EPS system, highlighting aspects that align it with sustainable construction ideals. In this way, the study contributes to a reflection on the importance of innovative and energy-efficient alternative as a standard for buildings, and encourages further research.