Within the scope of the master's thesis we investigated the physical and mechanical properties that determine the durability of newly developed façade panels made of alkali-activated materials. Using energy simulations and modelling, we compared their effects on thermal comfort in interiors with a standard contact thermal insulation façade system (ETICS). The panels with a high proportion of industrial and construction waste were developed as part of the international H2020 project InnoWEE and consist of two layers of expanded polystyrene and a finishing layer. The final layer consists of a binder consisting of an alkali-activated mixture of metakaolin, fly ash and granulated blast furnace slag and an aggregate of construction waste (concrete, ceramics, bricks and mortar). As the alkali-activated products are a relatively new material which has not yet been sufficiently evaluated in practise and there are no prescribed standard methods for testing it, it is necessary to carry out extensive testing before placing it on the market. Thus, we have carried out the following tests on façade panels: water absorption, water vapour permeability, determination of the bond strength, determination of the density, porosity and pore distribution of the finishing layer, freeze-thaw behaviour, freeze-thaw resistance in the presence of de-icing salt, impact strength, carbonation resistance, alkali silicate reactivity and sulphate resistance. Based on the results of the tests carried out, we gave an assessment of the usability of the façade panels. We also used the Ubakus and DesignBuilder programs to determine the influence of façade panels on the passage of heat and matter through the structural assembly of the exterior wall on a simple building model (single-family house) and to verify their impact on the energy efficiency of the building. The results obtained were compared with a classic external thermal insulation composite façade system (ETICS).
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