Assessment of the thermal performance of alternative wall and roof assembly in buildings: a case in Vijayawada, AP
Yeswanth N*, Lilly Rose Amirtham
School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada, India
DOI: 10.62744/CATE.45273.1161-221-237
Email: ar.yeswanth.n@gmail.com
Abstract:
The world's climate, natural systems, and public health are all negatively affected by conventional building materials and construction methods. Buildings are highly resource-intensive, resulting in over exploitation of raw materials. The evolution and use of alternative building components to improve thermal performance has witnessed an increasing trend due to the growing awareness of energy efficiency and sustainable building techniques worldwide. This research paper focuses on a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of alternative wall and roof assemblies, such as natural materials, biomaterials, and salvaged materials. A wide range of alternative materials for the wall and roof assemblies were chosen for a residential building in Vijayawada based on their availability, featuring diverse combinations of insulation materials, thermal masses, and cladding options. Detailed modelling of heat transfer processes within the building envelope, including conduction, convection, and radiation, analysis is possible with software, while accounting for external weather conditions. The U-value, Time lag, decrement factor and heat gain / loss of the assembly were assessed through Opaque 3.0, developed by the Society of Building Science Educators (SBSE). A comparative analysis of alternate materials with conventional materials in the field of construction was performed to improve thermal performance for indoor occupant comfort to reduce energy consumption in a naturally ventilated residential building in Vijayawada. Further, suitable wall and roof assemblies based on their compliance with ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) standards were identified.
The findings offer useful information on how different wall and roof systems perform in comparison to the
conventional materials. Straw bale with mud and lime plaster of U-value of 0.17 W/m2.K performs best with a time lag of 9.9 hr among the various alternatives analyzed. Similarly, Mangalore tile with Palymra beam, which has an inclination of 45°, performs best comparatively, with a lowest U-value of 2.2 W/m2.K and a time lag of 11 hours. It provides insight into the efficiency of advanced methods of construction in improving interior comfort, lowering energy use, and developing sustainable building design. In order to satisfy the demands of a continuously changing and energy-conscious built environment, the outcomes of this study provide architects, engineers, and policymakers with invaluable insights into the selection of suitable building assemblies.
Keywords: Alternative Building Materials, Building Envelope, Opaque 3.0, Thermal transmittance, Time Lag, Heat gain