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Case studies on energy performance of walling materials in various regions

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Abstract

The energy consumption of buildings, particularly for space heating and cooling, is a major global concern. It accounts for a substantial portion of household energy use and varies based on environmental factors and climate conditions. Environmental factors highly influence energy-saving strategies of buildings in different climate areas. Addressing this challenge necessitates innovative approaches to building design and materials. This study aims to explore the energy performance of different walling materials in varying climates, including desert, subtropical, and tropical regions. Using transient systems simulation program multi-zone software, simulations were conducted on five room models with ten different walling materials. Notably, autoclaved aerated concrete and cellular lightweight concrete consistently demonstrated better performance in both Kuwait and Australia, resulting in reduced cooling and heating demands. The study emphasizes the significance of selecting building materials based on local climate conditions. It highlights the potential for future exploration of advanced materials like phase change materials and cool roofs. By considering local climate conditions, energy-efficient buildings can be constructed. Future research should focus on advanced materials to further enhance energy efficiency.

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Abbreviations

AAC:

Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks

Bio-PCMs:

Bio-phase change materials

CEPT:

Centre for environmental planning & technology

CLC:

Cellular lightweight concrete blocks

CO2 :

Carbon dioxide

CR:

Cool roof

CSB:

Calcium silicate blocks

CSEB:

Compressed stabilised earth blocks

E:

East

EPI:

Energy performance index

FAB:

Fly ash bricks

FCBE:

Extruded moulding fired-clay bricks

FCBH:

Hand-moulding fired-clay bricks

FCBS:

Soft mud moulding fired-clay bricks

GRIHA:

Green rating for integrated habitat assessment

IE:

Infrared emissivity

N:

North

NE:

North-East

NW:

North-West

S:

South

SAC:

Solar-assisted desiccant air conditioning

SC:

Solid concrete blocks

SCB:

Solid concrete bricks

SE:

South-East

SR:

Solar reflectivity

SW:

South-West

TRNSYS:

Transient systems simulation program

UAE:

United Arab Emirates

UV:

Ultra-Violet

W:

West

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Acknowledgements

This study is fully funded by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), Australian University, Kuwait (AU) and Central Queensland University (CQU) under grant no. CN19-35EM-06, which is gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Australian University, 13015, Safat, Kuwait

    A. Sedaghat, W. K. Hussam & H. J. Salem

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-1408, USA

    S. M. Soleimani

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Australian University, 13015, Safat, Kuwait

    M. I. Al-Khiami

  4. Bioengineering Program, School of Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA

    M. Sabati

  5. Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA

    M. Sabati

  6. School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia

    M. Rasul, R. Narayanan & M. M. K. Khan

  7. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran

    M. A. Malayer

  8. Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Australian University, 13015, Safat, Kuwait

    A. Mehdizadeh

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  1. A. Sedaghat
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Contributions

AS involved in writing-original draft preparation, conceptualization, methodology, software; SMS involved in conceptualization, writing-reviewing and editing; MIA involved in software, CAD drawings; MS involved in funding, supervision; WKH involved in software, writing-reviewing and editing; HJS involved in experiment, equipment, installation; MR involved in funding, supervision, reviewing and editing; RN involved in reviewing and editing; MMKK involved in supervision. MAM involved in data processing, data management, software. AM involved in data analysis, equipment.

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Correspondence to A. Sedaghat.

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The authors of this manuscript have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Editorial responsibility: Ta Yeong Wu.

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Sedaghat, A., Soleimani, S.M., Al-Khiami, M.I. et al. Case studies on energy performance of walling materials in various regions. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-05518-7

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