Design of new models of heat-resistant masonry systems based on the constructive reinterpretation of ceramic fretwork from Norte de Santander, Colombia

Abstract

The facades transcend the aesthetic expression of the envelope in architecture, they are responsible for the thermal response of the building to the climatic environment, in traditional construction processes and technological advances in innovation in new products should be considered as guidelines the conditions of temperature and solar radiation to which the building units will be subjected, an aspect especially relevant in warm tropical climates where the solar incidence on the envelope is high, in ranges above 6000Wh/m2. The present research seeks to optimize the thermal response capacity of the ceramic envelope through the reinterpretation of the baked clay fretwork as a constructive element for enclosure walls, starting from the identification of the pieces that present better physical-thermal characteristics of the industry of Norte de Santander, products of easy commercial acquisition as an alternative for the development of economic and efficient models for the manufacture of architectural skins in the local building, in the process design criteria are established that integrate thermal resistance strategies in local resources. The evaluation of the thermal efficiency of a constructive reinterpretation of two ceramic skins is conducted by means of digital simulations of heat flow and temperature distribution implementing finite element method under parameters of temperature, radiation, and wind speed of the local climate. The results show that the ceramic openwork, a traditional product, can constitute an effective solution in the achievement of a better physical-thermal behavior of the enclosure in the city of Cúcuta, and presents a replicable model in innovative designs for the generation of innovation in sustainable constructive units as alternatives to reduce the requirements of air conditioning in the building.