Optimization of geometric arrangement of filled ceramic blocks

The focal point of this article is the development trend in the material and geometric arrangement of ceramic masonry blocks made of fired clay with the thickness of 500 mm using a tongue-and-groove connections and thin-layer gluing with a horizontal joint mortar. Numerical simulation according to the Fourier equation of heat propagation is used. The concept of arranging ceramic fittings uses large internal cavities with air filling, foam silicate filling, light filling based on waste thermal insulation with silicate binder, mineral wool, polyurethane or aerogel insulation. The optimization approach seeks for the best geometric and material properties, maximizing the highest value of thermal resistance of the masonry created from the assessed blocks. The material properties are based on laboratory measurements of thermal conductivity of components used in ceramic fittings, which affect the resulting thermal resistance.