Improve thermal efficiency of the exterior shell of a building using natural non-woven composite materials

Silkworm cocoons are a natural biological and composite structure that has evolved over time and responds well to the environmental conditions for silkworms. Understanding the relationships of cocoon structure inspires the creation of materials such as low-weight, high-strength nonwoven bio composites. In this study, the descriptive-analytical method and logical reasoning, using sericin cocoon and natural fibers, which for various reasons such as lightness, non-pollution, and low-cost, can be a suitable alternative to artificial fibers, offer materials as a non-woven bio composite. These materials are suitable in terms of stability and energy consumption, can be used as thermal insulation. This performance is simulated for the hot and dry climate of Kashan city in the outer shell of the building and using the Honeybee energy analysis plugin in the Grasshopper environment. The results show that the proposed non-woven bio composite can help improve the thermal performance of the building by up to 12.7%.