An Assessment of External Wall Retrofitting Strategies Using GRC Materials in Hot Desert Regions

Abstract

Due to urbanization, population growth, and the consequences of climate change, the usage of energy for cooling has increased considerably in recent years. Passive climate measures, on the other hand, could alleviate the situation by reducing energy use in buildings. This study examined the environmental and financial benefits of utilizing glass fiber-reinforced cement in the external walls of a communal social hub building in New Aswan city, taken an example of the hot desert region. Utilizing Design Builder software, the effect of various outside wall alternatives on cooling energy consumption was explored and analyzed. In addition, a cost–benefit analysis utilizing the simple payback period was conducted to aid decision-makers in selecting the most suitable exterior wall materials for public buildings in hot desert regions. Using cement plaster, cement brick, glass wool, and glass fiber-reinforced cement as an outside wall resulted in a significant improvement rate, according to the data. Compared to a typical wall (cement plaster, cement brick, and cement plaster), it can save up to 41% of energy. In addition, it has the lowest simple payback period value when compared to other examined solutions (10.86 years). In general, the results indicate that glass fiber-reinforced cement walls embedded in thermal insulation materials and incorporated into cement brick walls are more energy-efficient in terms of necessary cooling energy and economic viability.