Parametric study of the impact of insulation and wall thickness in straw-reinforced adobe structures on energy performance in a Moroccan desert climate: A case study of Errachidia city

Abdelmounaim Alioui; Youness Azalam; Mohammed  Benfars; Mustapha  Mabrouki

doi:10.51646/jsesd.v14iSTR2E.1060

المؤلفون

Abdelmounaim Alioui Laboratory of Industrial and Surface Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technologies, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2383-6443
Youness Azalam
Mohammed Benfars Laboratory of Industrial and Surface Engineering Sultan Moulay Slimane FST, Mghila, B.P. 592, Beni Mellal, Morocco.
Mustapha Mabrouki Laboratory of Industrial and Surface Engineering Sultan Moulay Slimane FST, Mghila, B.P. 592, Beni Mellal, Morocco.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51646/jsesd.v14iSTR2E.1060

الكلمات المفتاحية:

Straw-reinforced adobe structures; Thermal comfort; Insulation; Building energy performance; Desert climate

الملخص

In hot and arid desert climates, the thermal performance of passive buildings is strongly influenced by external climatic factors such as solar radiation, air temperature, humidity, and wind speed. However, these challenges can be mitigated through a judicious selection of construction materials and the optimization of their properties to ensure occupant thermal comfort. This study aims to identify the optimal combinations of insulation and wall thickness in straw-reinforced adobe structures to enhance the energy performance of buildings in a Moroccan desert context, specifically in the city of Errachidia. To achieve this aim, the study employs a validated energy model to investigate two key parameters: (1) the addition of natural fiber insulation (0.10 m) and (2) the variation of wall thickness (0.3 m to 0.5 m). The thermal simulation results indicate that adding 0.10 m of insulation significantly enhances thermal performance compared to non-insulated walls. Without insulation, wall thicknesses ranging from 0.4 m to 0.5 m reduce thermal fluctuations by 2°C. However, with insulation, a 0.3 m thick wall achieves a reduction of 3.7°C in summer indoor temperature peaks and maintains winter indoor temperatures as high as 12.1°C, even under extreme outdoor conditions. The integration of eco-friendly insulation panels also leads to a 23.18% reduction in cooling energy demand and a 40% decrease in heating needs compared to uninsulated walls. These findings underscore the importance of designing walls specifically tailored to the climatic conditions of desert regions, especially those near the city of Errachidia to optimize energy efficiency, lower ecological footprints, and promote sustainable architectural practices.

التنزيلات

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المقاييس

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