Evaluation of the use of aluminum composite panel on thermal performance in office buildings in hot climate

Abstract

This study investigates the thermal performance of Aluminum Composite Panels (ACP) in office buildings located in hot climates, aiming to meet the growing demand for energy-efficient construction materials in regions experiencing high temperatures. ACPs are considered advantageous due to their superior insulation properties and durability. Utilizing DesignBuilder, a modeling software, this research evaluates various types of ACPs to gauge their impact on energy usage and internal thermal comfort. The study primarily focuses on key metrics such as the reduction in cooling loads and internal temperatures in buildings with different façade orientations (south, east) and varying window-to-wall ratios (20% and 50%).The results reveal that ACPs featuring a specific core material, referred to as ACP-PUB, are particularly effective, significantly lowering cooling loads in buildings with a window-to-wall ratio of 20%. This effect is most pronounced in west-facing orientations, followed by north, east, and south orientations. When the window-to-wall ratio is increased to 50%, the ACP-PUB insulation maintains its performance superiority, consistently providing the most substantial reduction in cooling energy demands across all orientations. Moreover, operational temperatures were observed to decrease slightly in August across all scenarios.The findings highlight the remarkable improvement in thermal efficiency provided by ACP systems in hot environments, underscoring their potential to contribute to energy-efficient building design. The study offers valuable insights for architects, engineers, and policymakers aiming to promote sustainability and improve thermal comfort in areas prone to high temperatures.