Analysis of the Thermal Behavior of a Workspace in the Adrar Region

Abstract

This study presents an experimental and numerical investigation of the thermal behavior of a workplace located in the Adrar region. Temperature variations within the building were analyzed through a detailed modeling approach and validated using data collected during a 20-day experimental campaign conducted in May 2024. All modes of heat transfer were considered, and energy balance equations were formulated for each structural material. The resulting system of equations was solved using an implicit finite-difference scheme combined with the Gauss algorithm and an iterative procedure, accounting for the dependence of convective and radiative heat-transfer coefficients on the surrounding temperatures. Numerical results indicate that the thermal conductivity of the heavy concrete bricks, together with the local climatic conditions, significantly contributes to indoor temperature increases. Comparison of numerical predictions with experimental measurements for two representative days (May 10 and May 18, 2024) demonstrated excellent agreement, with errors not exceeding 4%. The findings provide insights into the thermal performance of public buildings in the Adrar region and offer a reliable numerical tool for engineers to select appropriate construction materials. The study also highlights that modern building materials, when used without adequate thermal insulation, can lead to excessive indoor temperatures and uncontrolled energy consumption in this desert environment.