Comparative Thermal Performance Analysis of Beam-and-Block Floor Systems Using Typha australis Earth Blocks and Conventional Concrete Blocks in Hot Semi-Arid Climates

Babacar Diouf^1, , Bator CISSE¹, Mariama BA¹, Kadia Thilly¹ and Cheikh Tidiane Seck²

¹Institut Polytechnique de Saint-Louis (IPSL), Université Gaston Berger, Saint-Louis, Senegal

²Atelier Kemit Architectes (AKA), Dakar, Senegal

Cite this paper:
Babacar Diouf, Bator CISSE, Mariama BA, Kadia Thilly and Cheikh Tidiane Seck. Comparative Thermal Performance Analysis of Beam-and-Block Floor Systems Using Typha australis Earth Blocks and Conventional Concrete Blocks in Hot Semi-Arid Climates. American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture. 2026; 14(3):112-116. doi: 10.12691/ajcea-14-3-3

Abstract

The building sector in Senegal faces significant energy and thermal comfort challenges, with approximately 60% of residential energy consumption devoted to cooling in a hot semi-arid climate where urban temperatures regularly exceed 35–40°C. Conventional construction materials such as concrete exhibit high thermal conductivity (typically >1.4 W m^-1K^-1), exacerbating indoor heat gain. This study presents a quantitative comparative analysis of the thermal performance of two beam-and-block floor assemblies: one incorporating Typha australis–earth hollow blocks and insulating panels, and a reference assembly using standard concrete hollow blocks. Steady-state thermal conduction calculations were performed in accordance with ISO 6946 and ADEME guidelines on multi-layer floor systems. Results demonstrate that the typha-based floor achieves a total thermal resistance of R_th = 2.932 K m² W^-1 and a thermal transmittance of U = 0.341 W m^-2 K^-1, compared to R_th = 0.197 K m² W^-1 and U = 5.076 W m^-2 K^-1 for the concrete counterpart. The total heat flux through the typha floor (733.37 W for a 215 m² surface) is approximately 13 times lower than that of the concrete floor (9822.06 W). These findings confirm Typha australis as a high-potential bio-sourced insulating material suitable for sustainable bioclimatic construction in West Africa, capable of substantially reducing cooling energy demand while supporting local circular economies.

Keywords:
Bio-sourced materials Thermal insulation Beam-and-block floor Typha australis Thermal transmittance Bioclimatic architecture Senegal Hot climate

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Adama G., Diouf B., Ly E.B., Moise M., Diène N. Caractérisation des propriétés mécaniques et thermiques de matériaux à base de ciment, de Typha Domingénis et d'argile. J. Phys. SOAPHYS. 2023; 3(2): 1–6.
[2]	Sow E.M., Gassama D., Diagne M., Seck A. Bâtiment et énergie: Analyse du secteur du bâtiment au Sénégal—Synthèse et recommandations. PEEB Programme; June 2021. Available: https:// peeb.build/wp-content/ uploads/ 2024/ 12/ Synthese_ Batiment_et _energie_Senegal_PEEB.pdf.
[3]	Dıeye, Younouss, Pape M. Toure, Seckou Bodıan, Prince M. Gueye, Mactar Faye, and Vincent Sambou. 2021. “Study of Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Typha Leaf - Clay Panels”. Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies 6 (4): 135-42.
[4]	Tarus, Bethwel Kipchirchir, et al. "Valorisation of cattail (Typha) biomass: Fibre extraction, properties, and applications in sustainable material systems." Bioresource Technology Reports (2026): 102570.
[5]	Samin E. CRATerre: Rapport technique de capitalisation des résultats de la R&D à mi-parcours. Grenoble: CRATerre; December 2015.
[6]	Vėjelienė J. Processed straw as effective thermal insulation for building envelope constructions. Eng. Struct. Technol. 2012; 4(3): 96–103.
[7]	Elhaj-Maham, El Moustapha, et al. "Study of the Physic-Mechanical Properties of a Typha Concrete Composites: A Possible New Material for Sustainable Construction." Materials Science Forum. Vol. 1122. Trans Tech Publications Ltd, 2024.
[8]	Diaw I., Faye M., Hans S., Sallet F., Sambou V. Valorization of recovered lime in cement-Typha concretes: thermal and mechanical behavior. In: Innovations and Interdisciplinary Solutions for Underserved Areas. Cham: Springer; 2022. p. 267–276.
[9]	Rakotomalala L., Misse A. CRATerre rapport technique: identification du contexte sénégalais. Grenoble: CRATerre; December 2014.
[10]	Élémenterre. Fiche technique: Hourdis Terre Typha. Paris: Élémenterre; 2023.
[11]	Diaw I., Faye M., Hans S., Sambou V. Thermal conductivity of cement-Typha composites. Mater. Lett. 2021; 289: 129383.
[12]	Laaouar, Boutahar, et al. "Assessment of Thermophysical Properties of Typha Fiber Insulation Panels for Sustainable Buildings." E3S Web of Conferences. Vol. 680. EDP Sciences, 2025.
[13]	Vejeliene J., Gailius A., Vejelis S., Vaitkus S., Keriene J. Thermomechanical characterization of particleboards from powder Typha leaves. J. Civ. Eng. Manag. 2011; 17(4): 489–496.
[14]	Theuerkorn W., Henning R.K. Le Typha australis: menace ou richesse? Eschborn: GTZ; 2002.
[15]	ISO 6946:2017. Building components and building elements—Thermal resistance and thermal transmittance—Calculation methods. Geneva: International Organization for Standardization; 2017.
[16]	ADEME. Méthode de calcul de la résistance et de la conductance thermiques. Paris; 2016.
[17]	Fanger P.O. Thermal Comfort: Analysis and Applications in Environmental Engineering. Copenhagen: Danish Technical Press; 1970.