A study of thermal performance enhancement of building envelopes by using corncob as construction material

The energy-saving design of buildings effectively reduces heating energy consumption, improves indoor environmental problems in traditional houses, and plays an essential role in alleviating the increasingly severe environmental and energy problems. This study reviews the status of research on building energy-saving renovation and environmental improvement in various countries and summarizes their relevant research experiences. It described the theories and methods of survey, experiment, and numerical simulation to provide a theoretical basis for energy-saving renovation and environmental improvement of residential houses. Furthermore, it introduces corncob concrete material to provide new materials for the renovation of an old building. This research is based on the coastal Liyuan houses in Qingdao, and the problems of Liyuan houses are identified through in-field investigation. Then, through experimental simulations, the application and efficiency of corncob materials in the thermal performance improvement of the envelope are explored. The renovation of old residential houses in terms of energy-saving and environmental improvement is proposed from envelope renovation.