Assessing Thermal Performance of Mud House Using ECOTECT Analysis - A Case of Vernacular Architecture in Northern Bangladesh

Abstract

Mud is one of the predominant vernacular building materials in rural settlements in Bangladesh, especially in the northern region because of its unique thermal performance. Mud being a very cheap, abundant, and environmentally friendly building material, is used extensively for building construction in the subcontinent. Mud as a building material has high heat capacity and low thermal conductivity which enhances the thermal stability of earthen building compared to other materials. This paper aims at analyzing the thermal performance of residential earthen buildings in northern Bangladesh and providing a basis for designing mud houses in rural Bangladesh according to environmental considerations. The resultant data from thermal simulation conducted in ‘Ecotect Analysis’ software shows that mud houses keep the indoor environment comparatively cooler than the outdoor warm environment during summer and the opposite during winter season which results in proper thermal comfort for the inhabitants.