A new type of vented concrete block for zero cooling energy

This paper reports on the performance of a new prototype of horizontal hollow concrete block. Its innovation is that it can prevent the sight from outside and inside as well while permitting natural ventilation and increasing daylighting without inducing overheating. Investigation included compressive strength testing, indoor temperature, natural ventilation and daylight contribution. Performance were compared using two small houses (W×L×H: 1.2×1.2×2 m) one of them included two rows of the new prototype located near the ceiling and the floor. The experimental observations indicated that with closed window and when the prototype of concrete block was in use in all facades, the temperature difference between non-ventilated and ventilated houses was about 2–3°C. This difference is less important (0.5–1°C) when the window was open due to the small volume of house considered. The average air change is about 30–70 that demonstrates the good ability of the new prototype of concrete block to improve indoor conditions. The performance of the prototype of concrete block decreased when the number of walls equipped with vented blocks decreased. The contribution of daylight admitted through the block vents is about 20–500 lux. Finally, the compressive strength is twice that of commercial blocks available in the local market