Modeling and Simulation of the Thermal Behavior of Nubian Vault Walls

In this study, we simulated the thermal behavior of the mud-brick walls of a Nubian vault. We used EnergyPlus software for the simulation. The results obtained showed that the indoor temperature varies from 25.5 °C to 26.5 °C for the period of January 2018 . It varies from 33.2 °C to 33.6 °C with an average value of 33.1 °C for the month of April 2018. For the period of July 2018, it varies from 30.3 °C to 32.2 °C with an average value of 31.2 °C.. Relative humidity for the period of July ranged from 62.3% to 73.5%, with an average value of 67.9%. The simulation enabled us to compare simulated and measured temperature and humidity values. We found that the level of thermal comfort in the Nubian vault is acceptable in both cool and hot periods. In view of these results, we can say that the Nubian vault is an architecture suited to our climate. The technical concept of the Nubian vault is adapted to the climatic conditions and traditional know-how of the Sahel. We also found that the use of raw earth, a locally available material, and the Nubian vault architectural process, contribute to thermal comfort and a reappropriation of local and adapted know-how.