Modelling of heat transfer through hollow blocks produced with rice-husk-ash blended cement

Abstract

Hollow sandcrete blocks are widely used in many countries of the world. Inrecent years, cement content is being partially substituted by  admixtures especially agricultural wastes. Modeling of heat transfer characteristics of these modified blocks is essential in order to predict their thermal performance. This study focuses on this modeling with the aid of a finite-volume based computer code. Specifically, for regular, two-cavity blocks produced with the cement partially substituted with rice husk ash (RHA). The result showed that as the percentage substitution of RHA increased, thermal gradient across the widthof the block increased, while the rate of heat flow reduced. The second part of the study examined the effect of heat transfer through the air-gap as compared to a similar study regarding it as vacuum. The heat flow through the air-gaps of the building bricks affected the pattern of heat flow within the bricks, hence, theycould not be regarded as a vacuum. The results of this study will be useful to building professionals in the choice of building blocks and proper estimation of air- conditioning load in buildings.