Thermal properties of multiple-wythe masonry overlayed with textile reinforced concrete sandwich panels.

This research focuses on the thermal performance of masonry walls overlayed with textile reinforced concrete (TRC) sandwich panels subjected to different climatic zones. Three types of TRC sandwich panels are explored by integrating expanded polystyrene, gypsum and calcium silicate board as core material. The TRC sandwich panels are integrated as outer layers of clay brick masonry wall panels to reduce the amount of heat transfer. Numerical simulation has been carried out using transient heat transfer analysis to determine the performance of various systems under a realistic daily temperature variation in a hot humid and warm humid climatic zone. Thermal response of TRC sandwich panel integrated masonry is validated against the requirements of a design code accepted thermal performance. From the investigations, the most feasible TRC sandwich panel solution that can be integrated for a specific climatic zone is arrived, which leads to reduced heat transfer and it is also ensured the solution satisfies codal requirements. The acceptance of proposed thermally efficient TRC sandwich panel integration with masonry would lead to environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to achieve thermal comfort inside buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]