Thermal Performance Evaluation of Traditional Buildings Flat Roofs in a Hot and Arid Climate of Algeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54338/27382656-2025.8-05Keywords:
Thermal insulation, flat roofs, dynamic thermal properties, decrement factor, time lagAbstract
This investigation aims to apply the analytical method of admittance for determining the thermal performance of composite flat roofs in traditional houses located in the southern region of Algeria, characterized by hot and arid climate conditions. The effect of adding insulation to the composition of flat roofs in traditional houses is studied by varying its, type, location and thickness. In this study, nine configurations of composite flat roof systems were manufactured using multiple layers with five types of insulations. Moreover, different dynamical thermal parameters are analyzed in this study, namely time lag (TL), decrement factor (DF), admittance (Y), transmittance (U), and surface factor (SF). The main results revealed that the roof configuration of R8 with insulation based on formaldehyde board presents a high value of TL (9.94 hours) and the lowest value of DF (0.1). In contrast, the configurations without insulation addition (R1, R2, and R3) display the lowest values of TL (4.91, 4.74, and 4.81, respectively) and the highest values of DF (0.59, 063, and 0.62, respectively). This research is useful for clearly understanding the thermal performance of composite flat roofs for the improvement of the energetic efficiency of traditional buildings.
Downloads
References
B. Ibtissam, B. Imane, L. Salima. Techno-Economic Analysis and Cost Benefits of Green Walls for Building in Extreme Climate. Case Study Southwest of Algeria. Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, 94 (1), 2022, 108-119. Doi: https://doi.org/10.37934/arfmts.94.1.108119
M. Mahdad, A. Benidir, A. Brara. Experimental Assessment of Mechanical Behavior of a Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB) and Walls. Journal of Materials and Engineering Structures, 8 (1), 2021, 95-110.
H. Benharchache, F. Khaldi, M. Hanfer. The Effect of External Walls on Energy Performance of Algerian Rural Building in Different Climatic Zones. Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, 107 (2), 2023, 171-190. Doi: https://doi.org/10.37934/arfmts.107.2.171190
H. Kaddouri, A. Abidouche, M.S.H. Alaoui, I. Driouch, S. Hamdaoui, Impact of Insulation using Bio-sourced Materials on the Thermal and Energy Performance of a Typical Residential Building in Morocco. Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, 117 (1), 2024, 43-59. Doi: https://doi.org/10.37934/arfmts.117.1.4359
F. Mokhtari, L. Loukarfi, M. Chikhi, K. Imessad, N.A. Messaoudene, A Passive Wall Design to Minimize Building Temperature Swings for Algerian Saharan Climate. Science and Technology for the Built Environment, 23 (7), 2017, 1142-1150. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/23744731.2016.1273020
M. Fahmy, M. Morsy, H. A. Elshakour, A.M. Belal. Effect of Thermal Insulation on Building Thermal Comfort and Energy Consumption in Egypt. Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Mechanics, 43 (1), 2018, 8-19.
M. Dib, S. Hadjout, Green Roof Retrofitting in Algeria Between Sustainability and Seismic Vulnerability. Journal of Architectural and Engineering Research, 7, 2024, 49-59. Doi: https://doi.org/10.54338/27382656-2024.7-05
D.A. Djabir, M.N.H. Mat, A. Hariri. CFD Investigation on Thermal Comfort in Open Spaces Library in Tropical Climate. CFD Letters, 15 (9), 2023, 83-101. Doi: https://doi.org/10.37934/cfdl.15.9.83101
C. Hema, A. Messan, A. Lawane, G. Van Moeseke, Impact of the Design of Walls Made of Compressed Earth Blocks on the Thermal Comfort of Housing in Hot Climate. Buildings, 10 (9), 2020, 157. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings10090157
S.A. Hassan, S.A. Abrahem, M.S. Husian. Comparative Analysis of Housing Cluster Formation on Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Hot-arid Climate. Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, 63 (1), 2019, 72-81.
P.M. Toure, Y. Dieye, P.M. Gueye, V. Sambou, S. Bodian, S.Tiguampo. Experimental Determination of Time Lag and Decrement Factor. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 11, 2019, e00298. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2019.e00298
L. Lairgi, R. Lagtayi, A. Daya, R. Elotmani, M. Touzani, The Impact of Arid Climate on the Indoor Thermal Comfort in the South-East of Morocco. International Journal of Photoenergy, 2021, 1-15. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5554629
S. Shaik, A. Talanki. Optimizing the Position of Insulating Materials in Flat Roofs Exposed to Sunshine to Gain Minimum Heat into Buildings under Periodic Heat Transfer Conditions. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23, 2016, 9334-9344. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5316-7
N.C. Balaji, M. Mani, B.V.V. Reddy. Dynamic Thermal Performance of Conventional and Alternative Building Wall Envelopes. Journal of Building Engineering, 21, 2019, 373-395. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2018.11.002
M.W. Muhieldeen, L.Z. Yang, L.C. Lye, N.M. Adam. Analysis of Optimum Thickness of Glass Wool Roof Thermal Insulation Performance. Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, 76 (3), 2020, 1-11.
C. Sun, S. Shu, G. Ding, X. Zhang, X. Hu, Investigation of Time Lags and Decrement Factors for Different Building Outside Temperatures. Energy and Buildings, 61, 2013, 1-7. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.02.003
A. Brima, L. Serir, K. Mesmoudi, S. Guettala, A Study on the Thermal Comfort Inside a Flat under Arid Climate Zone in Algeria. Journal of Renewable Energies, 18, 2015, 199-208. Doi: https://doi.org/10.54966/jreen.v18i2.497
S. Shaik, A.B. Setty. Influence of Ambient Air Relative Humidity and Temperature on Thermal Properties and Unsteady Thermal Response Characteristics of Laterite Wall Houses. Building and Environment, 99, 2016, 170-183. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.01.030
O.A. Zainal, R. Yumrutaş, Validation of Periodic Solution for Computing CLTD (Cooling Load Temperature Difference) Values for Building Walls and Flat Roofs. Energy, 82, 2015, 758-768. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.01.088
R. Yumrutaş, O. Kaşka, E. Yıldırım, Estimation of Total Equivalent Temperature Difference Values for Multilayer Walls and Flat Roofs by Using Periodic Solution. Building and Environment, 42 (5), 2007, 1878-1885. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.02.020
M. Ozel, K. Pihtili. Optimum Location and Distribution of Insulation Layers on Building Walls With Various Orientations. Building and Environment, 42 (8), 2007, 3051-3059. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.07.025
N. Daouas. A Study on Optimum Insulation Thickness in Walls and Energy Savings in Tunisian Buildings Based on Analytical Calculation of Cooling and Heating Transmission Loads. Applied Energy, 88 (1), 2011, 156-164. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.07.030
M.K. Nematchoua, P. Ricciardi, S. Reiter, A. Yvon. A Comparative Study on Optimum Insulation Thickness of Walls and Energy Savings in Equatorial and Tropical Climate. International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 6 (1), 2017, 170-182. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsbe.2017.02.001
R. Yumrutaş, M. Ünsal, M. Kanoğlu. Periodic Solution of Transient Heat Flow through Multilayer Walls and Flat Roofs by Complex Finite Fourier Transform Technique. Building and Environment, 40 (8), 2005, 1117-1125. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2004.09.005
N. Daouas, Impact of External Longwave Radiation on Optimum Insulation Thickness in Tunisian Building Roofs Based on a Dynamic Analytical Model. Applied Energy, 177, 2016, 136-148. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.05.079
I. Neya, D. Yamegueu, Y. Coulibaly, A. Messan, A.L. S-N. Ouedraogo, Impact of Insulation and Wall Thickness in Compressed Earth Buildings in Hot and Dry Tropical Regions. Journal of Building Engineering, 33, 2021, 101612. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101612
M. Hall, D. Allinson, Assessing the moisture-content-dependent parameters of stabilised earth materials using the cyclic-response admittance method. Energy and Buildings, 40 (11), 2008, 2044-2051. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2008.05.009
S.M. Kalinović, J.M. Djoković. Analysis of Dynamic Thermal Performance of the Walls in Residential Buildings in Serbia. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 235 (20), 2021, 4851-4861. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0954406220941894
A. Gasparella, G. Pernigotto, M. Baratieri, O. Baggio. Thermal Dynamic Transfer Properties of the Opaque Envelope: Analytical and Numerical Tools for the Assessment of the Response to Summer Outdoor Conditions. Energy and Buildings, 43 (9), 2011, 2509-2517. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.06.004
F. El Fgaier, Z. Lafhaj, E. Antczak, C. Chapiseau, Dynamic Thermal Performance of Three Types of Unfired Earth Bricks. Applied Thermal Engineering, 93, 2016, 377-383. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.09.009
L. Marletta, G. Evola, M. Giuga, Using the Dynamic Thermal Properties to Assess the Internal Temperature Swings in Free Running Buildings. A General Model and its Validation According to ISO 13792. Energy and Buildings, 87, 2015, 57-65. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.11.025
A. Benidir, M. Mahdad, A. Brara, Earth Construction Durability: In-Service Deterioration of Compressed and Stabilized Earth Block (CSEB) Housing in Algeria, in: C. Serrat, J.R. Casas, V. Gibert (eds). XV International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components, 2020. Doi: https://doi.org/10.23967/dbmc.2020.049
M. Mahdad, A. Benidir. Hydro-Mechanical Properties and Durability of Earth Blocks: Influence of Different Stabilizers and Compaction Levels. International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development, 9 (3), 2018, 44-60. Doi: https://doi.org/10.22712/susb.20180017
R. Fathipour, A. Hadidi, Analytical Solution for the Study of Time Lag and Decrement Factor for Building Walls in Climate of Iran. Energy, 134, 2017, 167-180. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2017.06.009
X. Jin, X. Zhang, Y. Cao, G. Wang, Thermal Performance Evaluation of the Wall Using Heat Flux Time Lag and Decrement Factor. Energy and Buildings, 47, 2012, 369-374. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.12.010
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 M'hamed Mahdad, Aghiles Hammas, Said Abboudi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial (CC BY-NC). CC BY-NC allows users to copy and distribute the article, provided this is not done for commercial purposes. The users may adapt – remix, transform, and build upon the material giving appropriate credit, providing a link to the license. The full details of the license are available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.
