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CASE FILE 001: MATERIAL HYSTERESIS
Comparative Thermal Analysis of Sahelian Masonry
Comparative Thermal Analysis of Sahelian Masonry
ABSTRACT: In the contemporary Sahel, the erasure of indigenous architecture is often framed as "modernization." This investigation challenges that narrative by treating the transition from earth to cement as a climatic failure.
The widespread adoption of hollow concrete blocks (HCB) has introduced a typology that is thermally incompatible with the region's diurnal cycle. Through digital simulation and section analysis, this study quantifies the "intelligence" of the traditional Tubali unit. We posit that vernacular masonry is not merely a cultural artifact, but a sophisticated passive cooling infrastructure that modern materials have failed to replicate.
KEY FINDINGS:
Thermal Lag: Tubali masonry creates a +6 hour hysteresis, delaying peak heat transfer until evening hours.
Heat Reduction: The high-density laterite core reduces interior temperatures by 10°C (ΔT) compared to standard concrete block.
Structural Logic: The pear-shaped modular geometry increases shear resistance through non-linear mortar interfaces.
FIGURE 01: DIURNAL THERMAL FLUX
FIGURE 01: DIURNAL THERMAL FLUX
Comparative Analysis of Concrete Block Wall vs. Tubali Masonry Wall
Comparative Analysis of Concrete Block Wall vs. Tubali Masonry Wall
Fig 01. Thermal simulation data over a 24-hour cycle in Kano, Nigeria. The high thermal mass of the Tubali wall creates a 6-hour hysteresis, delaying heat transfer until evening when ambient temperatures drop.
FIGURE 02: MODULAR MASONRY ASSEMBLY
FIGURE 02: MODULAR MASONRY ASSEMBLY
Exploded Axonometric of Interlocking Laterite Units
Exploded Axonometric of Interlocking Laterite Units
Fig 02. Structural analysis of the Tubali unit. Unlike standard brick, the pear-shaped geometry creates a non-linear mortar interface, increasing shear resistance. The high-density laterite core functions as a thermal battery, regulating interior temperature fluctuations through material mass rather than insulation.
FIGURE 03: CROSS-SECTIONAL THERMAL FLUX
FIGURE 03: CROSS-SECTIONAL THERMAL FLUX
Comparative Heat Transfer Simulation (14:00 Peak Solar Load)
Comparative Heat Transfer Simulation (14:00 Peak Solar Load)
Fig 03. Cross-sectional thermal mapping at peak solar intensity (2:00 PM). The standard hollow concrete block (left) offers negligible thermal resistance, allowing interior temperatures to reach 38°C. The Tubali assembly (right) dissipates heat through its solid laterite core, maintaining a 10°C differential (ΔT) and stabilizing the interior environment.
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