A study on the thermal comfort inside a flat under arid climate zone in Algeria

Brima, A.; Serir, L.; Mesmoudi, K.; Guettala, S.

Rеvuе des Energies Renouvelables
Volume 18, Numéro 2, Pages 199-208
2015-06-30

A Study On The Thermal Comfort Inside A Flat Under Arid Climate Zone In Algeria

Authors : Brima A. . Serir L. . Mesmoudi K. . Guettala S. .

Abstract

The use of naturally materials improves to reduce the life-cycle cost of building (initial cost plus lifetime energy cost). In this paper, looking for the thermal comfort inside an apartment located in an arid climate zone in Algeria, in Biskra city (35.56 N, 6.16 E) by comparing the use of two materials: the concrete (C) and the stabilized earth-concrete (SEC). The temperature variations through the walls are determinate and analyzed. In this study the wall is exposed to the maximum temperature in the two cases: transient and steady state. The mathematical formulation of the problem leads to a parabolic equation. The equation is resolved analytically and numerically by setting the appropriate boundary conditions. The resulting model applied for both materials (concrete, and SEC). The comparison of the results obtained, analytically and numerically, show that the SEC has the higher thermal resistance than concrete and the temperature difference between these two materials can reach about 5.5 °C in steady state. We have also performed the calculation of wall insulation dimensions by resolving a nonlinear system, which corresponds to the optimum thickness to ensure an adequate thermal comfort in side the flat.