Thermal optimization of two-way joist slabs: A comparative study using finite element analysis

Galal Al-Mekhlafi; Hussain Alsadiq; Mohammed Al-Huri; Mohammed Al-Osta; Omar Al-Amoudi

doi:10.21741/9781644903414-21

Thermal optimization of two-way joist slabs: A comparative study using finite element analysis

Galal Al-Mekhlafi^*
, Hussain Alsadiq
, Mohammed Al-Huri
, Mohammed Al-Osta
, Omar Al-Amoudi

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

Efficient thermal management in building structures is crucial for energy conservation, particularly in hot climates. A comparative thermal analysis was presented in this paper on twenty two different two-way hollow block slabs using the finite element method (FEM). The study considered two types of hollow block materials which are normal concrete and clay, each with eleven block recesses configurations. The thermal properties including thermal transmittance, thermal resistance and equivalent thermal conductivity among various slab arrangements were investigated. The obtained results suggest that the number of vertical and horizontal intermediate bulkheads and the constituent material determine the thermal properties of the slabs. Clay-based slabs showed better thermal insulation than concrete-based slabs. This research contributes towards energy efficient building components development as well as informing selection of optimal slab configurations for enhanced heat performance.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions
Editors	Tahar Ayadat
Publisher	Association of American Publishers
Pages	181-190
Number of pages	10
ISBN (Print)	9781644903414
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903414-21
State	Published - 2025
Event	1st International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions, 2024 - Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia Duration: 3 Nov 2024 → 5 Nov 2024

Publication series

Name	Materials Research Proceedings
Volume	48
ISSN (Print)	2474-3941
ISSN (Electronic)	2474-395X

Conference

Conference	1st International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions, 2024
Country/Territory	Saudi Arabia
City	Al Khobar
Period	3/11/24 → 5/11/24

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025, Association of American Publishers. All rights reserved.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

Clay
Concrete
Finite Element Analysis
Thermal Optimization
Two-Way Joist Slab

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Materials Science

Access to Document

10.21741/9781644903414-21

Cite this

Al-Mekhlafi, G., Alsadiq, H., Al-Huri, M., Al-Osta, M., & Al-Amoudi, O. (2025). Thermal optimization of two-way joist slabs: A comparative study using finite element analysis. In T. Ayadat (Ed.), Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions (pp. 181-190). (Materials Research Proceedings; Vol. 48). Association of American Publishers. https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903414-21

@inproceedings{4d1cbdbbb3c74d478f023cdf0eb7ca2b,

title = "Thermal optimization of two-way joist slabs: A comparative study using finite element analysis",

abstract = "Efficient thermal management in building structures is crucial for energy conservation, particularly in hot climates. A comparative thermal analysis was presented in this paper on twenty two different two-way hollow block slabs using the finite element method (FEM). The study considered two types of hollow block materials which are normal concrete and clay, each with eleven block recesses configurations. The thermal properties including thermal transmittance, thermal resistance and equivalent thermal conductivity among various slab arrangements were investigated. The obtained results suggest that the number of vertical and horizontal intermediate bulkheads and the constituent material determine the thermal properties of the slabs. Clay-based slabs showed better thermal insulation than concrete-based slabs. This research contributes towards energy efficient building components development as well as informing selection of optimal slab configurations for enhanced heat performance.",

keywords = "Clay, Concrete, Finite Element Analysis, Thermal Optimization, Two-Way Joist Slab",

author = "Galal Al-Mekhlafi and Hussain Alsadiq and Mohammed Al-Huri and Mohammed Al-Osta and Omar Al-Amoudi",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025, Association of American Publishers. All rights reserved.; 1st International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions, 2024 ; Conference date: 03-11-2024 Through 05-11-2024",

year = "2025",

doi = "10.21741/9781644903414-21",

language = "English",

isbn = "9781644903414",

series = "Materials Research Proceedings",

publisher = "Association of American Publishers",

pages = "181--190",

editor = "Tahar Ayadat",

booktitle = "Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions",

address = "United States",

}

Al-Mekhlafi, G, Alsadiq, H, Al-Huri, M , Al-Osta, M & Al-Amoudi, O 2025, Thermal optimization of two-way joist slabs: A comparative study using finite element analysis. in T Ayadat (ed.), Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions. Materials Research Proceedings, vol. 48, Association of American Publishers, pp. 181-190, 1st International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions, 2024, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, 3/11/24. https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903414-21

Thermal optimization of two-way joist slabs: A comparative study using finite element analysis. / Al-Mekhlafi, Galal; Alsadiq, Hussain; Al-Huri, Mohammed et al.
Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions. ed. / Tahar Ayadat. Association of American Publishers, 2025. p. 181-190 (Materials Research Proceedings; Vol. 48).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Thermal optimization of two-way joist slabs

T2 - 1st International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions, 2024

AU - Al-Mekhlafi, Galal

AU - Alsadiq, Hussain

AU - Al-Huri, Mohammed

AU - Al-Osta, Mohammed

AU - Al-Amoudi, Omar

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - Efficient thermal management in building structures is crucial for energy conservation, particularly in hot climates. A comparative thermal analysis was presented in this paper on twenty two different two-way hollow block slabs using the finite element method (FEM). The study considered two types of hollow block materials which are normal concrete and clay, each with eleven block recesses configurations. The thermal properties including thermal transmittance, thermal resistance and equivalent thermal conductivity among various slab arrangements were investigated. The obtained results suggest that the number of vertical and horizontal intermediate bulkheads and the constituent material determine the thermal properties of the slabs. Clay-based slabs showed better thermal insulation than concrete-based slabs. This research contributes towards energy efficient building components development as well as informing selection of optimal slab configurations for enhanced heat performance.

AB - Efficient thermal management in building structures is crucial for energy conservation, particularly in hot climates. A comparative thermal analysis was presented in this paper on twenty two different two-way hollow block slabs using the finite element method (FEM). The study considered two types of hollow block materials which are normal concrete and clay, each with eleven block recesses configurations. The thermal properties including thermal transmittance, thermal resistance and equivalent thermal conductivity among various slab arrangements were investigated. The obtained results suggest that the number of vertical and horizontal intermediate bulkheads and the constituent material determine the thermal properties of the slabs. Clay-based slabs showed better thermal insulation than concrete-based slabs. This research contributes towards energy efficient building components development as well as informing selection of optimal slab configurations for enhanced heat performance.

KW - Clay

KW - Concrete

KW - Finite Element Analysis

KW - Thermal Optimization

KW - Two-Way Joist Slab

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105003278700

U2 - 10.21741/9781644903414-21

DO - 10.21741/9781644903414-21

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:105003278700

SN - 9781644903414

T3 - Materials Research Proceedings

SP - 181

EP - 190

BT - Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions

A2 - Ayadat, Tahar

PB - Association of American Publishers

Y2 - 3 November 2024 through 5 November 2024

ER -

Al-Mekhlafi G, Alsadiq H, Al-Huri M , Al-Osta M, Al-Amoudi O. Thermal optimization of two-way joist slabs: A comparative study using finite element analysis. In Ayadat T, editor, Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions. Association of American Publishers. 2025. p. 181-190. (Materials Research Proceedings). doi: 10.21741/9781644903414-21

Thermal optimization of two-way joist slabs: A comparative study using finite element analysis

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this