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Date palm midribs, major agricultural residues in Egypt, were utilized in the development of a novel prefabricated thermal cladding panel as a local cost-efficient option by which users can retrofit their houses to enhance thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption, while complimenting the existing interior context. The developed panel consisted of midribs-strip-boards cladding surface encasing midribs-fibers non-woven insulating core. Firstly, cladding specimen and insulating core specimens of different densities were tested to determine their thermal conductivity. Secondly, results were used to design various configurations according to the requirements of The Egyptian Code of Energy Efficiency in Residential Buildings. Thirdly, Design Builder “Whole Building” simulations were used to compare between the annual cooling and heating energy consumption savings achieved after using standard insulation methods and savings achieved using the developed thermal-cladding panels. Results showed that midribs thermo-cladding panels effectively enhanced energy efficiency as a successful equivalent to standard insulation wall retrofitting techniques.

This paper presents an experimental study of acoustic absorption of novel fabric acoustic panels utilizing non-woven fabric cores and fabric facings made of date palm midribs-fibers; to be used as absorbent panels for spaces with privacy needs. Normal acoustic absorption coefficients of various configurations; different densities, thicknesses and facings; were measured using impedance tube. Findings showed that the highest absorption was exhibited by 50 mm- thick midribs-fibers cores. Additionally, 150 kg/m3 cores balanced between high tortuosity and porosity. Results of full assembly tests showed that 30 mm-150 kg/m3 and 40 mm-100 kg/m3 cores with woven midribs-fibers facings enjoyed significantly high absorption at low frequencies and high frequencies. Additionally, 40 mm-100 kg/m3 and 50 mm-200 kg/m3 cores with cotton facings provided competitive overall performances to commercial acoustic panels while providing flexible interior design options. Thus, interior designers can incorporate midribs-based fabric acoustic panels into their designs as local sustainable absorbent panels to enhance acoustical quality and complement space aesthetics.