CONTENTS
Abstract
Acknowledgement
List of figures 9
List of graphs 11
Chapter 1
Introduction 13
1.1 Purpose statement 15
1.2 Research question/s 15
1.3 Hypothesis 15
1.4 Research objectives 15
1.5 Scope and limitations of the study 16
1.6 Significance of the study 16
1.7 Research methodology 17
Chapter 2
Background 18
2.1 Thermal mass 19
2.1.1 Heat transfer 19
2.1.2 Why thermal mass 21
2.1.3 Important terms and formulas: Thermal time lag and Decrement factor 21
2.2 Materials and their properties 22
2.3 Criteria for the selection of materials for the study 23
2.3.1 Rammed earth 24
2.3.2 Adobe 25
2.3.3 Stone 26
2.3.4 CSEB blocks 26
2.4 Thermal comfort 28
2.5 Climate study 30
Chapter 3
Literature review 34
3.1 Learnings from the literature 38
Chapter 4
Thermal performance of the case studies - onsite measurements 39
4.1 Data collection 42
4.1.1 Rammed earth wall 1 (W1) – description of the built space: 43
4.1.2 Adobe wall 2 (W2) – description of the built space: 50
4.1.3 Stone wall 3 (W3) – description of the built space: 56
4.1.4 CSEB blocks wall 4 (W4) – description of the built space: 62
4.2 Results and analysis 70
4.2.1 Comparing hear capacity and thermal conductivity 70
4.2.2 Effect of heat transfer with respect to wall thickness 71
4.2.3 Calculated Mean radiant temperature 72
Chapter 5
5.1 Space modelling details 76
5.1.1 Case 1 with 230 mm thick wall 73
5.1.2 Case 2 with 345 mm thick wall 74
5.1.3 Case 3 with 400 mm thick wall 75
5.2 Overall trend observed throughout the simulated readings 82
5.3 Rammed earth 83
5.3.1 Annual hourly temperature readings of rammed earth with 230 mm thick wall
5.3.2 Annual hourly temperature readings of rammed earth with 345 mm thick wall
5.3.3 Annual hourly temperature readings of rammed earth with 230 mm thick wall
5.4 Adobe 87
5.4.1 Annual hourly temperature readings of adobe earth with 230 mm thick wall
5.4.2 Annual hourly temperature readings of adobe earth with 345 mm thick wall
5.4.3 Annual hourly temperature readings of adobe earth with 400 mm thick wall
5.5 Stone 91
5.5.1 Annual hourly temperature readings of stone with 230 mm thick wall
5.5.2 Annual hourly temperature readings of stone with 345 mm thick wall
5.5.3 Annual hourly temperature readings of stone with 400 mm thick wall
5.6 CSEB blocks 94
5.6.1 Annual hourly temperature readings of CSEB blocks with 230 mm thick wall
5.6.2 Annual hourly temperature readings of CSEB blocks with 345 mm thick wall
5.6.3 Annual hourly temperature readings of CSEB blocks with 400 mm thick wall
5.7 Brick 97
5.7.1 Annual hourly temperature readings of brick with 230 mm thick wall
5.7.2 Annual hourly temperature readings of brick with 345 mm thick wall
5.7.3 Annual hourly temperature readings of brick with 400 mm thick wall
Chapter 6
6.1 Conclusion 98
6.2 Future scope 99
References 102
Appendix 105