Thermal Performance of Bio-Based Materials for Sustainable Building Insulation: A Numerical Study

Highlights What are the main findings? Bio-based materials significantly improve thermal insulation compared to conventional concrete. Banana fiber, straw, and Typha Australis demonstrated the best thermal performance. These materials reduced cooling energy demand by up to 31.71%, with banana-based concrete achieving the highest savings. Thermal simulations using COMSOL 6.2 and TRNSYS 16 confirmed their ability to delay and attenuate heat transfer, improving indoor comfort in hot desert climates. Concrete showed higher thermal inertia but lower insulation effectiveness, whereas bio-based composites (especially straw and Typha) provided better thermal attenuation. What are the implications of these findings? The results support sustainable construction by encouraging the use of low-carbon, energy-efficient materials in hot climates. Incorporating bio-based materials can substantially lower cooling energy demand and CO2 emissions, reducing the building sector's environmental footprint. Many of these materials are locally available, offering opportunities for local sourcing, job creation, and circular economy initiatives. Despite remaining challenges (scalability, durability, regulation), the findings call for greater investment in research, standardization, and real-world application of bio-based solutions.Highlights What are the main findings? Bio-based materials significantly improve thermal insulation compared to conventional concrete. Banana fiber, straw, and Typha Australis demonstrated the best thermal performance. These materials reduced cooling energy demand by up to 31.71%, with banana-based concrete achieving the highest savings. Thermal simulations using COMSOL 6.2 and TRNSYS 16 confirmed their ability to delay and attenuate heat transfer, improving indoor comfort in hot desert climates. Concrete showed higher thermal inertia but lower insulation effectiveness, whereas bio-based composites (especially straw and Typha) provided better thermal attenuation. What are the implications of these findings? The results support sustainable construction by encouraging the use of low-carbon, energy-efficient materials in hot climates. Incorporating bio-based materials can substantially lower cooling energy demand and CO2 emissions, reducing the building sector's environmental footprint. Many of these materials are locally available, offering opportunities for local sourcing, job creation, and circular economy initiatives. Despite remaining challenges (scalability, durability, regulation), the findings call for greater investment in research, standardization, and real-world application of bio-based solutions.Abstract This study investigates the thermal and energy performance of various bio-based materials, including Typha Australis, straw, banana fiber, Alfa fiber, peanut shells, and VSS (a blend of wood pulp, cotton, flax, and hemp), in comparison to conventional concrete. A combined approach integrating numerical simulations and experimental analyses was employed to ensure robust and comprehensive insights. COMSOL Multiphysics was utilized for detailed thermal modeling of wall assemblies, while TRNSYS enabled dynamic simulations to evaluate the impact of these materials on overall cooling energy demand. The results demonstrate that bio-based materials offer significantly improved thermal insulation, reducing air conditioning needs by over 30% relative to concrete, with banana fiber exhibiting the highest performance. This study underscores the need for industrial-scale optimization, supportive regulatory frameworks, and real-world implementation to promote broader adoption. Despite their strong potential, challenges remain, particularly regarding cost-effectiveness, durability, and market penetration. Ultimately, this research advocates for a transition toward more sustainable and environmentally conscious construction practices, aligning with efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance building energy efficiency.