Smart Materials Selection for Thermal Energy Efficient Architecture

Energy crisis and increasing demand for green energy to acute pollution has forced the engineers, architects and scientists to adapt green materials for structural applications. In this context, conventional building materials are extensively investigated using life cycle estimations, thermodynamic models, CO2 emissions, and energy demands and many other criteria. Selection of smart materials for thermal energy efficient architecture on the bases of various thermo-physical properties (density (ρ), thermal conductivity (K) and specific heat capacity (Cp)) in relation to the engineering requirements (energy stored (QS), energy density (Q′), rate of heat transfer (q), utilization factor (η) and mechanical load) is a crucial as well as a tedious task. In this context, we have employed quality function deployment (QFD) in combination with VlseKriterijumska Optimisacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) technique to determine the ranks and rank indices (degree of closeness) of important materials. The weights of thermo-physical properties of materials for hot (ρ: 17.72%; Cp: 45.14%; K: 37.14%) and cold weather (ρ: 29.32%; Cp: 65.42%; K: 5.26%) applications are depicted using QFD. Our results enlighten that low conductivity materials should be preferred for hot areas applications while for cold areas the scenario is reversed. Furthermore, wood and asphalt sheet are found to be the best materials for hot and cold areas, respectively.