The use of response surface methodology to improve the thermal transmittance of lightweight concrete hollow bricks by FEM

In this paper, the response surface methodology (RSM) and finite element method (FEM) have been used to develop predictive models for the simulation and optimization of heat transfer process. The input variables were the material conductivity as well as the radiation emissivity, length and width of the recesses. The response variable considered was the thermal transmittance. In order to minimize the thermal transmittance, the RSM technique and FEM analyses have been developed in combination and applied to optimize this parameter. A central composite design (CCD) as the standard design of the RSM technique was used to evaluate the effects and interactions of the six previous factors. Next, the optimal design obtained from the RSM analysis is exposed, demonstrating its ability to build a quadratic polynomial model and to solve nonlinear thermal problems. Finally, analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been used to check the significance of response surface polynomials and FEM models so that the RSM technique was proved as an appropriate methodology for the nonlinear thermal optimization of lightweight concrete hollow bricks.