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Computational Science, Engineering & Technology Series
ISSN 1759-3158
CSETS: 39
COMPUTER ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF MASONRY STRUCTURES
Edited by: J.W. Bull
Chapter 7

Non-Linear Heat Transfer Analysis of the Performance of Light Concrete Hollow Brick Walls by the Finite Element Method

J.J. del Coz Díaz, P.J. Garcia-Nieto, J.L. Suarez Sierra, F.P. Alvarez Rabanal, A.L. Martinez-Luengas and J. Dominguez-Hernandez

Construction Engineering, University of Oviedo, Gijon, Spain

Full Bibliographic Reference for this chapter
J.J. del Coz Díaz, P.J. Garcia-Nieto, J.L. Suarez Sierra, F.P. Alvarez Rabanal, A.L. Martinez-Luengas and J. Dominguez-Hernandez, "Non-Linear Heat Transfer Analysis of the Performance of Light Concrete Hollow Brick Walls by the Finite Element Method", in J.W. Bull, (Editor), "Computer Analysis and Design of Masonry Structures", Saxe-Coburg Publications, Stirlingshire, UK, Chapter 7, pp 181-122, 2017.
Keywords: hollow brick wall, light concrete, finite element modelling, non-linear complex heat transfer, energy savings, thermal optimization.

Abstract
This chapter shows how by means of advanced numerical methods the authors can improve the thermal efficiency of multi-holed brick walls. To attain this objective, a new methodology based on experimental tests and different numerical simulations is presented. With the help of finite element analysis (FEA), the authors present an optimization procedure to determine the best 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 great interest in light building materials with good physical and thermal behaviour, which fulfils all the thermal requirements of the new CTE Spanish code for further energy savings. Experimental tests are presented in this chapter with two different purposes. First, to validate the numerical analysis procedure, based on the simulation of three-dimensional walls by the finite element method (FEM). Second, to analyze the material conductivity for different compositions of light concrete. The FEM is used for finding accurate solutions to the heat transfer equation for light concrete hollow 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 using FEA on several hollow brick geometries by means of 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 are presented.

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