Geometrical design optimization of foamcrete composite blocks for thermal insulation
摘要
The demand for insulation materials in building construction has grown significantly over the years, driven by rapid urbanization and rising energy costs. This study presents an optimal geometric design for composite blocks made of normal concrete and foamcrete, capable of providing thermal insulation for walls. In this context, eleven composite block geometries, classified as transverse, longitudinal, continuous, and discontinuous designs, have been systematically investigated. These geometric designs were optimized using finite-element thermal simulations based on temperature distributions and heat-flux patterns. Two different foamcrete densities have been used to fill the geometric sections, specifically 800 kg/m3 and 1000 kg/m3. The optimal composite block has been identified as the one with a longitudinal foamcrete section, showing a maximum temperature drop of 21.666 °C when filled with 800 kg/m3 foamcrete and 21.003 °C with 1000 kg/m3 foamcrete. This temperature drop was found to be 21% higher in comparison to an unfilled composite block with the same longitudinal section. In terms of heat flux, this optimal block achieved 6% higher flux than other composite designs because fewer heat-flow paths resulted in a higher heat-transfer load. In addition, blocks with lower-density foamcrete achieved up to a 2.5% higher temperature drop over higher-density foamcrete blocks.