ABSTRACT

This chapter investigates the impact of the internal thermal mass of masonry components, in the form of internal partition walls and the interior leaf of multi-layered enclosure walls, on the overall temperature variations and energy consumption of housing. Housing which has good thermal performance provides a steady and comfortable internal environment and has less energy consumption regardless of the weather conditions. Material selection during the design of a building has a major influence on the energy consumption and performance over its life cycle. For a building with the no windows, the energy exchange occurs through the walling system, the roof and the slab and the entire process is governed by the external weather conditions and the material selection of the building components. The environmental impact of Australian housing up to the 1990's was of the little concern, with designs being governed mainly by economic and aesthetic considerations.