Heat transfer and condensation analysis of the walls of a house built with natural andesite stone

The use of natural stones in buildings is increasingly popular due to both their decorative appearance and their thermal performance. Proper use of these stones in buildings is crucial for energy conservation and preventing condensation within structural components. This study investigated heat transfer and condensation in the wall of a house made from natural andesite stone in Iğdır, Turkey, under steady-state conditions and different wall combinations. Samples were created from natural stones extracted from two different elevations in the foothills of Mount Ararat, with measured thermal conductivity values of 1.73 W/m·K (higher elevation– Haverage) and 1.31 W/m·K (lower elevation– Laverage). In the wall model using a 3-cm thick insulation board between two natural stones from the higher elevation, condensation occurred on the outer surface of the insulation layer. This can negatively impact the durability and thermal performance of the structure, and such design should be avoided. The highest heat flux of 18.27 W/m² was observed in the non-insulated wall made of higher elevation stones, while the lowest heat flux of 6.68 W/m² occurred in the model using a 3-cm insulation board between two lower elevation stones. No condensation risk was found in this configuration. The difference between the worst and best cases in terms of heat flux was approximately threefold, emphasizing the importance of proper material selection and insulation design. These findings provide guidance for energy-efficient building design using natural stone.