Ali, I; Peng, C; Ullah, H; Deng, J; Bibi, A and Mahar, W A (2025) Multi-objective optimization of insulation materials for building energy and comfort improvements in hot and arid regions. Building Research & Information, 53(6), pp. 797-816. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
Hot and arid regions require substantial energy to maintain indoor thermal comfort due to extreme climatic conditions. Selection and optimization of building materials offer substantial potential for enhancing energy efficiency and thermal comfort. This study investigates building envelope materials' impacts on energy efficiency and occupant comfort through multi-objective optimization, evaluating six materials (insulated adobe, adobe, fire bricks, concrete, stone masonry and sintered bricks). In addition to Energy Use Intensity (EUI), Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Percentage of People Dissatisfied (PPD), a novel comfort level index is proposed, integrating thermal comfort perception and energy efficiency. This index quantifies both occupant thermal comfort perception and energy effectiveness of achieving such comfort conditions. A case study of Sukkur, Pakistan, using EnergyPlus simulations revealed insulated adobe as the optimal solution. Its Pareto-optimal configuration reduced annual energy consumption by 37.6% compared to concrete while ensuring thermal comfort for occupants. The results highlight that insulated adobe has superior thermophysical properties for balancing energy savings and comfort in hot, arid climates. This framework provides architects and policymakers with a decision-making tool to achieve climate-responsive designs through material optimization, advancing sustainable construction practices. The methodology and index offer theoretical and practical contributions to building performance evaluation.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building simulation; energy consumption; energy use intensity; multi-objective optimization; thermal comfort |
| Index terms: | configuration, Pakistan, decision-making, methodology, sustainable construction practice, energy-use intensity, building performance evaluation, building envelope, insulation, building simulation, comfort, building material, thermal comfort, effectiveness, architect, energy consumption, multi-objective optimization, arid regions, energy-saving, energyplus, climatic condition, case study, energy efficiency |
| Subjects: | performance management, environmental engineering, systems engineering, occupational health and safety management, decision analysis, profession, data collection methods, energy systems, modelling and simulation, sustainability and energy, building materials, Geography, sustainable construction, architectural elements, physical geography and landforms, research methods, algorithms, building performance, climate science, environmental science |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Health and Safety, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Risk Management, Sustainability, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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