Optimization of Adobe and Sawdust-Based Bricks for Improved Energy Efficiency in Construction

Abstract

The exploration of bio-based materials for sustainable construction practices, particularly through the use of locally sourced resources like sawdust, is the focus of this study, which evaluates the thermal performance of adobe bricks reinforced with 2% sawdust in small, medium, and large sizes, ranging from 0.3 to 2 cm. The bricks were manufactured using local materials, and the physicochemical properties of the clay were initially analyzed and characterized. The laboratory examined the bricks' thermophysical characteristics, such as their density, thermal conductivity, and heat capacity. The TRNSYS program was used to conduct annual thermal simulations based on representative meteorological data for a typical building in the semi-arid Moroccan city of Beni Mellal. The results indicate that the energy savings achieved in terms of both heating and cooling were comparable across all configurations of sawdust-reinforced adobe bricks. When compared to a reference concrete building, the heating energy demand was reduced by 59.14% for clay without sawdust, 72.61% for clay with small sawdust, 71.25% for clay with medium sawdust, and 69.88% for clay with large sawdust. Similarly, the cooling energy demand reductions were 45.71%, 58.82%, 57.68%, and 56.62%, respectively, for clay without sawdust, and with small, medium, and large sawdust. These findings suggest that the incorporation of sawdust, regardless of particle size, leads to similar energy savings, offering flexibility in utilizing locally available sawdust from Beni Mellal to optimize energy performance. This research highlights the importance of local clay-based materials and the use of sawdust as a natural reinforcement, to optimize the energy efficiency of buildings. It also offers new perspectives for their integration into sustainable construction practices, contributing to global sustainable development goals.