The potential of the eco-passive construction technique for the Western Desert in Egypt

A proposal for the eco-passive construction technique has been discussed to maintain thermal comfort in hot, arid climates. The study focuses on the case of Kharga, Egypt -climate classification BWh-for its strategic location, as well as for the availability of data and accurate weather data files for the Western Desert Region in Egypt. The proposal discusses an integrated multi-layered wall using eco-friendly insulation (rice husk), thermal storage materials, and Bio Phase-Changing Materials (Bio PCM), with a total thickness of 24.6 cm (one-brick), using a computerised simulation for three prototypes of multilayered walls applied to three rooms. According to their geometrical roof shape (flat, domed, vaulted), the simulation and discussion are consequently run across three stages, which leads to successfully achieving comfort according to the Adaptive Comfort Model in American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 55-2010 for the Kharga climate (19.6 degrees C-30.7 degrees C) with 100% comfort operative temperatures in summer and 91% in winter.