Experimental comparison of energy performances of common types of buildings constructed in Cameroon and validation of their electrical model

• Published in: Sadhana (Bangalore) 2021-09, Vol.46 (3), Article 159
• Main Authors: Fohagui, Fodoup Cyrille Vincelas, Koholé, Yemeli Wenceslas, Tchuen, Ghislain
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bricks; Buildings; Earth; Engineering; Errors; Humidity; Mathematical models; Relative humidity; Thermodynamic properties
• ISSN: 0256-2499; 0973-7677
• DOI: 10.1007/s12046-021-01670-9

In this paper, an experimental comparison of the thermal performances of the sundried earth bricks building and parpen brick building have been carried out. For this purpose, an electrical model of the building was elaborated and an experimental set-up was constructed. Measured temperatures and relative humidity from sundried earth bricks and parpen buildings were compared and the numerical simulation results were validated against experimental results statically. Our findings reveal that, building constructed with sundried earth bricks present good energy performances compared to parpen bricks building with 40–60% versus 10–40% relative humidity and 24°C versus 29°C temperature, respectively. Moreover, the numerical and experimental results were found to be in good agreement. Maximum absolute percentage error, maximum absolute error and absolute percentage error of 3.4%, 0.66°C and 6.4%, were obtained respectively. Sundried earth block was recommended for construction and the electrical model was proposed for the prediction of the thermal behavior of buildings.