Embedding sugarcane bagasse (SCB) in clay bricks used in building envelop to reduce the electricity consumption

Abstract

Climate change is predicted to provide several issues for the built environment, including an increased need for cooling buildings in the summer season. Controlling the heating and cooling loads in indoor spaces and creating energy-efficient buildings in hot regions is the scope of this research. Previous studies tackled the significance of eco-friendly materials and their role in energy efficiency and carbon reduction. This research intends to examine the efficiency of embedding sugarcane bagasse in exterior walls as thermal insulation to reduce electricity consumption in hot regions such as Egypt, without compromising the physical and chemical properties of the walls. Since clay bricks are widely used to cover the exterior building envelope in Egypt this research designed a new clay brick that embeds sugarcane bagasse to minimize the exterior heat gain and reduce electricity consumption. The research used experimental methods to test and compare the physical and chemical properties of the clay brick after embedding sugarcane bagasse (SCB). In addition, a simulation analysis using “TRNSYS” software was made to measure the efficiency of the clay bricks with sugarcane bagasse (SCB) in reducing electricity consumption to cool indoor spaces. The study revealed that the new insulated clay brick would preserve the mechanical properties of the regular clay brick; furthermore, it could reduce 19.5% of the cooling loads consumed in buildings located in hot, arid regions. The proposed insulated clay bricks with SCB are a viable solution for well-insulated buildings towards a sustainable environment in hot, arid regions.