A Sustainable Approach to Optimize the Energy Efficiency of Buildings
through Agricultural Waste-Based Insulation Materials.
Supervisor:
Co-Supervisor:
Dr. Atta Ur Rehman Shah
Engineer Samad Ali Taj
Members:
1- Fawad Ahmed FA21-BME-082 2- Muhammad Abdullah Tariq FA21-BME-004
3- Hamza Tahir FA21-BME-011
4- Mirza Hunain Abbas FA21-BME-018
Project Summary
This project focuses on designing and fabricating a sustainable solution to improve the energy
efficiency of buildings by reducing cooling loads through the development of insulation using
agricultural and plastic waste. The most easily available, less fire retarded, waste materials are
Recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Rice Husk, and Wood Powder. These materials
promote environmental sustainability. Our project focuses on the following SDGs: Goal 07:
Affordable & Clean Energy, Goal, 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal: 12 Responsible
Consumptions and Production, Goal 13: Climate Action.
A total of nine different compositions were designed with the help of Taguchi (DOE) Method
using Minitab software. Raw Materials were obtained from Pakistani Local Market, Rice Husk
from Sargodha, Wood Powder from Timber Market, Taxila and R-HDPE from New Tech Pipes,
Sangjani. The sample preparation involved manual mixing, extrusion, and hand injection molding
techniques.
We manufactured a Die for sample preparation by using Manual Vertical Milling Machine at
COMSATS University Islamabad, Wah Campus. Some Mechanical, Thermal and Environmental
tests were conducted, Tensile Strength using ASTM D695, Compression using D638, Thermal
Conductivity using ASTM C177, Water Absorption using ASTM D570, and Soil Burial by using
ISO 17556. These tests shows that our material is Mechanically, Thermally, and environmentally
optimized and easily stable under normal environmental conditions.
The results showed that the best composition (Recycled – HDPE 60%, Wood Powder 20%, Rice
Husk 20%) achieved a Tensile Strength of 18.54 MPa, Water Absorption of 1.21%, and
Thermal Conductivity of 0.321 W/m·K, indicating its potential as an effective insulation
material. In parallel, HAP (Hourly Analysis Program) calculations are being conducted to assess
the impact of the developed material on building cooling loads.
The project demonstrates the feasibility of transforming agricultural and plastic waste into
functional building insulation, contributing to energy savings and environmental protection.
Rice Husk
Wood Powder
Recycled - HDPE
Figure 1: Raw Materials
Machining
Machining
Figure 2: Manufacturing of Die
Finished Die
Mincer
Extruder
Pellets Formation
Figure 3: Extrusion Process
Injection Molding Machine
Injection Molding
Final Samples
Figure 4: Sample Preparation
Tensile Testing
Water Absorption
Figure 5: Characterizations
Thermal Conductivity