JES: Journal of Engineering Sciences (Nov 2025)
EPS Cement Sandwich Panel Walls: A Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Solution for Residential Buildings - A Simulation-Based Study of a Residential Villa in Cairo, Egypt
Abstract
The construction industry represents a considerable portion of global energy consumption and carbon emissions, necessitating the investigation of sustainable alternatives in building materials. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) cement sandwich panel walls have emerged as a promising energy-efficient and environmentally responsible solution, providing lightweight construction, superior thermal insulation, and diminished CO₂ emissions. This study examines the performance of EPS cement sandwich panels in a residential villa in the new administrative capital of Cairo, Egypt, an area characterized by a hot arid climate and a substantial reliance on mechanical cooling systems. Employing Design Builder and Energy Plus, the study contrasts two simulation scenarios: a baseline building model (villa type A) featuring 250 mm-thick conventional concrete block walls, and an EPS cement sandwich panels model (villa type B) that incorporates a 200 mm-thick EPS cement mix mortar core with fiber cement boards facings. Results indicate that EPS cement sandwich panels enhance thermal performance, resulting in an 81.06% reduction in yearly heat gains and losses through external walls, and a yearly 15.41% decrease in HVAC energy consumption. Consequently, yearly CO₂ emissions diminished from 45,413.18 kg to 38,414.73 kg. The EPS cement sandwich panel system attained a U-value of 0.189 W/m²K, in contrast to 1.371 W/m²K for conventional concrete block walls. These findings emphasize the effectiveness of EPS cement sandwich panels in enhancing energy efficiency and mitigating the environmental impact in hot arid climates. The study supports integrating EPS cement sandwich panels in Egypt’s residential sector, aligning with national energy strategies and global sustainability goals.
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