The Effect of Basic Building Materials and Their Paving Shapes on the Thermal Performance of Walls in Iraqi Residential Buildings

ABSTRACT Iraq's high climatic temperature affects buildings' thermal performance, leading to increased electrical energy consumption due to population growth. Researchers are exploring methods to reduce this consumption, such as heat gain reduction, heat transfer prevention, thermal insulators, high-thermal resistance materials, positive building design, useful orientation, and clean energies. The study investigates solar heat transfer in Iraqi air-conditioned spaces using nine models to analyze the impact of building elements on residential walls and their cross-section shape. The aim is to determine the best model for the Iraqi climate and the optimal approach for achieving optimal solar heat transfer. The study reveals that Model A has negative thermal performance, while Model C and I offer superior thermal performance. Model C offers 47.34% energy savings and Model I 43.99%, aligning with the global trend for green buildings and low energy expenditure in Iraqi residential units.