THE THERMAL COMFORT INVESTIGATION OF TWO TRADITIONAL HABITAT MODELS IN THE SUB-SAHELIAN AREA

We show through experimental and numerical investigation of the thermal confort in the two model traditionnal habitat in subsahelian area. The first is a rectangular model from Dogon people and the second is vaul model from the Peulhs people. We found the following result in the Dogon habitat : T=24.9°C-34.8°C,RH =10-20.7%, DP=-0.5-10.7. The air flow circulates in the habitat by natural convection is Q_v =0.0567-0.0652 m³.^s-1. The flow of ventilated air associated with the temperature of the air of the habitat indicates a comfortable environment in terms of the concept of thermal comfort.In the vault model from Peulhs people, the result is: RH=5.8-25.5.5%, the internal air temperature is T=22.6°C-33.1°C DP=-5.6-11.5. This construction is adapted to the nomadic way of life and doesnt provide protection against daytime temperature peaks. Also, the nights are relatively cool due radiation at wavelengths between 8 and 13 µm. This model is very adapted during the night.The numerical results indicate air temperature is T=25.3°C-34.9°C in the Dogon habitat and T=23.5°C-33.8°C.Finally, the local materials and the exploitation of endogenous knowledge can be solutions to the problems of high energy consumption in habitat.