E-ISSN 2414-6013 | ISSN 2411-9636
 
2026, Vol: 15, Issue: 1
15 / 1Current Issue ArchiveAims and ScopeAbstracting & IndexingMost Accessed ArticlesMost Downloaded ArticlesMost Cited Articles

Technical Note 


Parametric study of the impact of insulation and wall thickness in straw-reinforced adobe structures on energy performance in a Moroccan desert climate: A case study of Errachidia city

Abdelmounaim Alioui, Youness Azalam, Mohammed Benfars, Mustapha Mabrouki.


Abstract
In hot and arid desert climates, the thermal performance of passive buildings is strongly influenced by external climatic factors such as solar radiation, air temperature, humidity, and wind speed. However, these challenges can be mitigated through a judicious selection of construction materials and the optimization of their properties to ensure occupant thermal comfort. This study aims to identify the optimal combinations of insulation and wall thickness in straw-reinforced adobe structures to enhance the energy performance of buildings in a Moroccan desert context, specifically in the city of Errachidia. To achieve this aim, the study employs a validated energy model to investigate two key parameters: (1) the addition of natural fiber insulation (0.10 m) and (2) the variation of wall thickness (0.3 m to 0.5 m). The thermal simulation results indicate that adding 0.10 m of insulation significantly enhances thermal performance compared to non-insulated walls. Without insulation, wall thicknesses ranging from 0.4 m to 0.5 m reduce thermal fluctuations by 2°C. However, with insulation, a 0.3 m thick wall achieves a reduction of 3.7°C in summer indoor temperature peaks and maintains winter indoor temperatures as high as 12.1°C, even under extreme outdoor conditions. The integration of eco-friendly insulation panels also leads to a 23.18% reduction in cooling energy demand and a 40% decrease in heating needs compared to uninsulated walls. These findings underscore the importance of designing walls specifically tailored to the climatic conditions of desert regions, especially those near the city of Errachidia to optimize energy efficiency, lower ecological footprints, and promote sustainable architectural practices.

Key words: Straw-reinforced adobe structures; Thermal comfort; Insulation; Building energy performance; Desert climate


 
ARTICLE TOOLS
Abstract
PDF Fulltext
How to cite this articleHow to cite this article
Citation Tools
Related Records
 Articles by Abdelmounaim Alioui
Articles by Youness Azalam
Articles by Mohammed Benfars
Articles by Mustapha Mabrouki
on Google
on Google Scholar


How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alioui A, Azalam Y, Benfars M, Mabrouki M. Parametric study of the impact of insulation and wall thickness in straw-reinforced adobe structures on energy performance in a Moroccan desert climate: A case study of Errachidia city. Sol. Energy Sustain. Dev.. 2025; 14(2): 216-229.

doi:10.51646/jsesd.v14iSTR2E.1060

Web Style

Alioui A, Azalam Y, Benfars M, Mabrouki M. Parametric study of the impact of insulation and wall thickness in straw-reinforced adobe structures on energy performance in a Moroccan desert climate: A case study of Errachidia city. https://www.jsesd.org/?mno=302658177 [Access: November 12, 2026].

doi:10.51646/jsesd.v14iSTR2E.1060

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alioui A, Azalam Y, Benfars M, Mabrouki M. Parametric study of the impact of insulation and wall thickness in straw-reinforced adobe structures on energy performance in a Moroccan desert climate: A case study of Errachidia city. Sol. Energy Sustain. Dev.. 2025; 14(2): 216-229.


doi:10.51646/jsesd.v14iSTR2E.1060

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alioui A, Azalam Y, Benfars M, Mabrouki M. Parametric study of the impact of insulation and wall thickness in straw-reinforced adobe structures on energy performance in a Moroccan desert climate: A case study of Errachidia city. Sol. Energy Sustain. Dev.. (2025), [cited November 12, 2026]; 14(2): 216-229.


doi:10.51646/jsesd.v14iSTR2E.1060

Harvard Style

Alioui, A., Azalam, . Y., Benfars, . M. & Mabrouki, . M. (2025) Parametric study of the impact of insulation and wall thickness in straw-reinforced adobe structures on energy performance in a Moroccan desert climate: A case study of Errachidia city. Sol. Energy Sustain. Dev., 14 (2), 216-229.


doi:10.51646/jsesd.v14iSTR2E.1060

Turabian Style

Alioui, Abdelmounaim, Youness Azalam, Mohammed Benfars, and Mustapha Mabrouki. 2025. Parametric study of the impact of insulation and wall thickness in straw-reinforced adobe structures on energy performance in a Moroccan desert climate: A case study of Errachidia city. Solar Energy and Sustainable Development, 14 (2), 216-229.


doi:10.51646/jsesd.v14iSTR2E.1060

Chicago Style

Alioui, Abdelmounaim, Youness Azalam, Mohammed Benfars, and Mustapha Mabrouki. "Parametric study of the impact of insulation and wall thickness in straw-reinforced adobe structures on energy performance in a Moroccan desert climate: A case study of Errachidia city." Solar Energy and Sustainable Development 14 (2025), 216-229.


doi:10.51646/jsesd.v14iSTR2E.1060

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alioui, Abdelmounaim, Youness Azalam, Mohammed Benfars, and Mustapha Mabrouki. "Parametric study of the impact of insulation and wall thickness in straw-reinforced adobe structures on energy performance in a Moroccan desert climate: A case study of Errachidia city." Solar Energy and Sustainable Development 14.2 (2025), 216-229. Print.


doi:10.51646/jsesd.v14iSTR2E.1060

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alioui, A., Azalam, . Y., Benfars, . M. & Mabrouki, . M. (2025) Parametric study of the impact of insulation and wall thickness in straw-reinforced adobe structures on energy performance in a Moroccan desert climate: A case study of Errachidia city. Solar Energy and Sustainable Development, 14 (2), 216-229.


doi:10.51646/jsesd.v14iSTR2E.1060

Author LoginReviewer LoginAbout PublisherAI Policy

About Solar Energy and Sustainable Development

About the JournalThe Journal of Solar Energy and Sustainable Development (JSESD) is a peer-reviewed, open-access, biannual scientific journal dedicated to ... Read more.



For best results, please use Internet Explorer or Google Chrome.

Contact Information