Comparative analysis of the thermal properties of handmade clay bricks used in cultural buildings

Cadi Ayyad University, UCA, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, LMFE Unit Affiliated to CNRST (URL-CNRTST N° 16), Department of Physics, Morocco

Abstract

In order to comply with the standards for the restoration of historic buildings in Morocco and the guidelines aimed at preserving as much of the original materials as possible during restoration projects, this study assesses the impact of conservation constraints on the thermal performance of materials while highlighting the importance of respecting the authenticity of old materials in restoration projects.A comparison of the thermal properties of two traditional building materials (terracotta bricks), old bricks and new bricks, was carried out. The main objective was to evaluate their performance in terms of thermal conductivity, an essential parameter for the energy efficiency of buildings. Experimental measurements, including SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and EDX (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) tests, were carried out on samples of the two types of bricks considered in this study. The results show that old bricks have lower thermal conductivity than new bricks, suggesting better insulation capacity. However, this difference can be explained by the microstructural characteristics of the materials, in particular their porosity and composition, as revealed by SEM and EDX analyses.This study highlights the trade-offs between heritage conservation and thermal performance, offering avenues for restorations that respect authenticity while optimizing energy comfort.