Development of Thermal Performance Testing Capability for Alternative Masonry Walls

Date
2022-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Construction industries worldwide are feeling the pressure to move towards more sustainable methods of construction and materials. In South Africa, this pressure is being applied by the revision of national building regulations and requirements, specifically the implementation of SANS 10400-XA 'Energy Usage in Buildings', which intends to improve the energy efficiency and energy use within the built environment by regulating material thermal properties. In addition to this, there is continuous research being done within South African institutions to develop alternative building materials, however there are limited options regarding testing the thermal properties of these materials as building elements. Without these properties, the acceptance of these new materials for use in construction is unlikely. Currently, there are no known operational testing facilities within South Africa with the ability to test building element thermal properties. This study aims to provide such a testing facility, in order to aid the development of alternative construction materials by determining the relevant thermal properties needed to be used in construction.
AFRIKAANS OPSOMMING: Konstruksiebedrywe wéreldwyd voel die druk om na meer volhoubare metodes van konstruksie en materiale te beweeg. In Suid-Afrika word hierdie druk toegepas deur die hersiening van nasionale bouregulasies en vereistes, spesifiek die implementering van SANS 1040 -XA 'Energy Usage in Buildings' ,wat beoog om die energiedoeltreffendheid en energiegebruik binne die geboude omgewing te verbeter deur die regulering van materiaal termiese eienskappe. Hierbenewens word daar voortdurend navorsing binne Suid-Afrikaanse instansies gedoen om alternatiewe oumateriale te ontwikkel, maar daar is beperkte opsies met betrekking tot die toetsing van die termiese eienskappe van hierdie materiale as bouelemente. Sonder hierdie eienskappe is die aanvaarding van hierdie nuwe materiale vir gebruik in konstruksie onwaarskynlik. Tans is daar geen bekende operasionele toetsfasiliteite binne Suid-Afrika met die vermoé om bouelement termiese eienskappe te toets nie. Hierdie studie het ten doel om so 'n toetsfasiliteit te verskaf, ten einde die ontwikkeling van alternatiewe boumateriale te vorder deur die relevante termiese eienskappe te bepaal wat in konstruksie gebruik moet word.
Description
Thesis (MEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 2022.
Keywords
Thermal properties, Sustainable construction, Construction industry – Energy conservation, UCTD
Citation