Numerical thermal assessment and theoretical analysis of horizontal-hole interlock composite insulation blocks

In this paper, the thermal performance of 54 horizontal-hole interlocking composite insulation blocks was numerically analyzed based on the steady-state heat transfer model, the regulations were found, and prediction models for the thermal parameters of the blocks were established based on the parallel network thermal resistance model. The influence of block types and block materials on the thermal performance was studied, and it was found that the thermal performance of H-shaped interlocking insulation blocks was better than that of crossed-shaped ones, and the lower the thermal conductivity of block materials, the better the thermal performance of blocks, among which the reduction of thermal conductivity of concrete materials improved the thermal performance of blocks the most. The simulated values of thermal conductivity of H-shaped interlocking insulation blocks and thermal conductivity under the parallel network thermal resistance model were highly linearly correlated with correlation coefficients as high as 0.998 and 0.999. This finding enables the prediction models of thermal parameters of H-shaped interlocking insulation blocks to be established with high accuracy and provides an effective guide for the energy-saving design of interlocking insulation blocks wall.