A COMPARISON OF ENERGY-CONSUMPTION AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF 4 MASONRY MATERIALS IN SAUDI-ARABIA

he computer code DOE-2 was used to simulate the energy consumption of four types of model houses constructed of clay bricks, concrete blocks , sandlime bricks, and prefabricated walls. It was found that a house built of clay bricks consumes 16, 23 and 25% less than one built of co ncrete blocks, sandlime bricks or prefabricated concrete walls, respec tively. Assuming that the initial investment equals the material cost plus the cost of the air-conditioning equipment, a house built of clay bricks costs 13% less than one built of concrete blocks, 34% less tha n one built of sandlime bricks and 57% less than one built of refabric ated concrete walls.