THERMAL STUDY OF TRADITIONAL VENTILATED WALLS IN THE TROPICAL CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF CATATUMBO, NORTE DE SANTANDER, COLOMBIA

Abstract

This research proposal aims to identify a series of typologies of traditional ventilated cladding walls of the construction market, such as fretwork, lattice, and metal panels, to conduct a thermal study under the climatic conditions of Catatumbo in Norte de Santander, Colombia. The methodology is theoretical. It uses heat transfer simulations under the finite element method in ANSYS to identify the relationship between the permeability of surfaces and the impact on the behavior of temperatures and heat fluxes. The results show that the more permeable typologies, such as fretwork and lattice, register less energy and temperature transfer than the less permeable typologies, such as metallic panels. It also showed other factors, such as the shape and thermal properties of the construction units’ materials. Finally, the thermal study of ventilated walls consolidates technical information on traditional enclosure alternatives as a guide for designing and planning housing and buildings in post-conflict zones to promote comfort and habitat quality in the aforementioned population.