Non-linear thermal analysis of the efficiency of light concrete big-holed bricks by FEM.

This paper shows how advanced numerical methods can help to improve the thermal efficiency of multi-holed brick walls. In order to get this objective, we will present a new methodology based on different numerical simulations. With the help of the finite element analysis (FEA), we present an optimization procedure in order to determine the best big-holed candidate brick from the thermal point of view. With respect to the ecological design and the energy saving for housing and industrial structures, there is also a great interest in light building materials with good physical and thermal behaviors, which fulfils all thermal requirements of the new CTE Spanish rule for further energy savings. On the one hand, we want to validate the numerical analysis procedure, based on the simulation of three-dimensional walls by the finite element method (FEM). On the other hand, we have analyzed the material conductivity for different compositions of the light concrete. The FEM is used for finding accurate solutions of the heat transfer equation for light concrete bigholed brick walls. Mathematically, the non-linearity is due to the radiation boundary condition inside the inner recesses of the bricks. Afterwards, the thermal optimization of the walls is carried out from the FEA of several hollow brick geometries through the average mass overall thermal efficiency and the equivalent thermal conductivity. In order to select the appropriate wall satisfying the CTE requirements, detailed instructions are given. Finally, conclusions of this paper are exposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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